Why We Can't All Be Pretty
By Sarah Gillham
Have you ever wondered why, if only the ‘fittest’ genes survive the generations, we don’t all look like Brad and Angelina? Well it seems that scientists have found the answer lurking in mutations of our DNA repair kits.
This question, the ‘lek paradox’ as it is called, has puzzled scientist for years. According to Darwin’s Theory of Evolution, sexually-selecting species such as humans should have much less variation than we do. If females select the most attractive males surely the ‘ugly’ gene should be wiped out by now? Honestly speaking, I know personality is what counts but, let’s face it, given the option between Ashton Kutcher and Danny DeVito..?
Looking around us, this expected scenario is far from the case; Professor Marion Petrie and Dr Gilbert Roberts of Newcastle University believe they have found out why. Their research suggests that our ugliness, or should I say variation, is due to genetic mutations in our DNA repair kits (as the name suggests these are repair proteins which identify, bind to, and repair damaged DNA).
Less efficient repair kits results in greater genetic variation, as damaged DNA is un-repaired. The scientists’ research has shown that this phenomenon produces variation at a faster rate than sexual selection can get rid of it.
‘We started this research ten years ago and our model has now produced a good fit with what we observe in terms of genetic variation, which leads us to believe that our theory is correct’ says Professor Petrie. ‘We find that sexual selection can promote genetic diversity despite expectations to the contrary.’
While DNA mutations are generally found to be harmful, they can actually be useful in parts of the genome responsible for disease defence. Greater genetic variation in these areas can actually promote increased resistance to bacterial and viral attacks.
Just so your not completely deflated, previous research from Professor Petrie has actually shown that men with greater genetic diversity are actually found to be more attractive to women. So there you go – love your mutations!
If that got you a bit hot under the collar, then here's a load more sexy science:
- News - The perfect woman - scientifically speaking
- Straight - Why Barbie is so beautiful
- Strange - One man and his miniscule magnificence
- News - Why its good to have long legs
This question, the ‘lek paradox’ as it is called, has puzzled scientist for years. According to Darwin’s Theory of Evolution, sexually-selecting species such as humans should have much less variation than we do. If females select the most attractive males surely the ‘ugly’ gene should be wiped out by now? Honestly speaking, I know personality is what counts but, let’s face it, given the option between Ashton Kutcher and Danny DeVito..?
Looking around us, this expected scenario is far from the case; Professor Marion Petrie and Dr Gilbert Roberts of Newcastle University believe they have found out why. Their research suggests that our ugliness, or should I say variation, is due to genetic mutations in our DNA repair kits (as the name suggests these are repair proteins which identify, bind to, and repair damaged DNA).
Less efficient repair kits results in greater genetic variation, as damaged DNA is un-repaired. The scientists’ research has shown that this phenomenon produces variation at a faster rate than sexual selection can get rid of it.
‘We started this research ten years ago and our model has now produced a good fit with what we observe in terms of genetic variation, which leads us to believe that our theory is correct’ says Professor Petrie. ‘We find that sexual selection can promote genetic diversity despite expectations to the contrary.’
While DNA mutations are generally found to be harmful, they can actually be useful in parts of the genome responsible for disease defence. Greater genetic variation in these areas can actually promote increased resistance to bacterial and viral attacks.
Just so your not completely deflated, previous research from Professor Petrie has actually shown that men with greater genetic diversity are actually found to be more attractive to women. So there you go – love your mutations!
If that got you a bit hot under the collar, then here's a load more sexy science:
- News - The perfect woman - scientifically speaking
- Straight - Why Barbie is so beautiful
- Strange - One man and his miniscule magnificence
- News - Why its good to have long legs
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