Can Two Black People Have a White Baby?
When considering modern scientific possibilities, a popular question among many people is whether or not two African-American parents can have a baby that is of a different skin complexion.
Skin Color Genes and Mutations
Science has come to understand that human skin and hair color is directly affected by two main types of melanin; a darker one, called eumelanin, and a lighter one, called pheomelanin. Both eumelanin and pheomelanin contribute to variations in skin color, and are decided by genes that exist in our DNA.
Two Black People and a White Baby
While it is true that some people may carry an obscure recessive mutation in their genes that determine skin color, a couple that both carry the same recessive mutation for lighter skin will not necessarily have a baby that exhibits that particular skin color trait. To further explain, the only way a baby that is lighter in skin complexion would be born to two dark-skinned African-American parents is if those particular parents also carry the recessive gene mutation for lighter skin.
The Bottom Line
In conclusion, it is possible for two dark-skinned African-Americans to have a baby that is lighter in skin complexion, but only if both individuals carry a certain recessive gene mutation that determines skin color. Furthermore, this is a rare occurrence, as this specific gene mutation must be present in both parents for such a situation to take place.
Key Takeaways:
- Skin color in humans is determined by two main types of melanin.
- It is theoretically possible for two dark-skinned African-Americans to have a baby that is lighter in skin complexion, but only if both individuals carry a certain recessive gene mutation that determines skin color.
- This is a rare occurrence, as this specific gene mutation must be present in both parents for such a situation to take place.
