Expert: Walter Hintz - 7/19/2006

Question
I know you can't be exact....but I was wondering what color and texture will my unborn baby will most likely have?

My side

Me- straight smooth dark brown hair

Mother- light brown smooth curly hair

Father- curly smooth dark brown hair

Maternal Grandmother- curly smooth blonde hair

Maternal grandfather- Curly smooth dark brown hair

Paternal Grandmother- dark brown smooth curly hair

Paternal Grandfather- blonde smooth straight hair

brother- dirty blonde smooth wavy hair



My Husband’s Side

Him- dark brown wirey wavy hair

His mother- black wirey straight hair
His father- black wirey straight hair
his brother- brown wirey wavy hair
his sister- reddish brown wirey curly hair

Thanks in advance.  

Answer
Hi Lisa; The reason it is difficult to predict things like hair color and texture is that there are multiple genes involved.  The determining genetics involves only your and your husband.  I notice that dark hair seems to be the predomonent thing in your families.  Dark pigments dominate over light pigments and straight hair over curly hair.  When we look at siblings we can find some curliness and light pigments which means that you and your husband can be carrying recessive genes.  It would seem that the odds are that your child will have dark straight hair with a chance (maybe 25%) of having lighter hair.