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Face Shape: It's All in the Genes

DNA could one day provide forensic facial sketches

By Dustin Lushing,  Newser Staff

Posted Sep 14, 2012 2:54 PM CDT

(Newser) – In the future, a single shred of DNA could reveal the image of a person's face, thanks to a new discovery. For the first time ever, scientists have found genetic code associated with determining facial structure. The five genes were located by measuring nearly 10,000 people's faces and then linking them to tiny DNA variations, reports BBC.

For now, the genetic findings can merely provide an estimation of a particular face shape—not a detailed portrait. But the study's lead author envisions a potential for crime-solving. "Perhaps some time it will be possible to draw a phantom portrait of a person solely from his or her DNA left behind, which provides interesting applications such as in forensics," he says.

Researchers have discovered five genes associated with facial shape.
Researchers have discovered five genes associated with facial shape.   (Shutterstock)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 24 comments
Tology
Sep 14, 2012 11:36 PM CDT
These scientists are just brilliant.  I was taught that in 7th grade science class.
AnitaWynn
Sep 14, 2012 9:28 PM CDT
Wow, thanks so much for the link. Having spent considerable time in the Netherlands, I was struck there by a certain phenotype I'd never noticed outside that country, one that appears to be midway between an "average" European face and a facial structure that easily could lead to cleft lip/palate. Apparently this trait is inherited; perhaps couples there should be counseled/cautioned about potential facial pathology in their offspring should they marry and reproduce (as is done with potential "Rh negative" and "sickle-cell anemia" babies already). There are many potential applications of this particular technology beyond forensics or anthropology, but we always are faced with the moral dilemma over when, if, and how to intervene in human (and non-human) life, are we not? Used for good, this technology could help us deselect for debilitating craniofacial abnormalities like cleft palate; used stupidly, it could help us deselect for "unattractive" offspring and produce no one but beauty queens in future. Beauty queens who may be intelligent, or dumb as posts. What are our values? Where, exactly, would we small-minded humans go with this superhuman power?
cornelison
Sep 14, 2012 7:31 PM CDT
There is one measurement that stays the same for your whole life.  It's the distance between your eyes.  That method was used when attempting to recognize Nazi war criminals.
 

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