The genetics of human eye color are much more complex than previously thought, according to a new study published today.
An international team of researchers led by King’s College London and Erasmus University Medical Center in Rotterdam has identified 50 new genes for eye color in the largest genetic study to date. The study, conducted today in Scientific progress, involved the genetic analysis of nearly 195,000 people in Europe and Asia.
These findings will help improve the understanding of eye diseases such as pigmentary glaucoma and ocular albinism, where eye pigment levels play a role.
In addition, the team found that eye color in Asians with different brown shades is genetically similar to eye color in Europeans ranging from dark brown to light blue.
This study builds on previous research in which scientists have identified a dozen genes linked to eye color, and believe there are many more. Previously, scientists thought that the variation in eye color was controlled by only one or two genes, with brown eyes dominating blue eyes.
The co-senior author, Dr Pirro Hysi, King’s College London, said: “The findings are exciting because they bring us closer to understanding the genes that cause one of the most striking features of human faces, which are passed down through generations “Secret dull history. It will improve our understanding of many diseases that we know are associated with specific pigment levels.”
Co-senior author Dr Manfred Kayser, Erasmus University Medical Center Rotterdam, said:
“This study provides the genetic knowledge needed to improve the prediction of the eye color of DNA, as already applied in anthropological and forensic studies, but with limited accuracy for the non-brown and non-blue eye colors.”
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Material provided by King’s College London. Note: Content can be edited according to style and length.