Hairy issue decoded... extra gene is the culprit

We have always blamed our genes for anything ugly, unwarranted or even remotely displeasing. And think of thick, black hair sprouting on the face! Well, it definitely had to do with hormones and genes even, but now scientists have cracked the issue. They have discovered a genetic mutation responsible for a disorder, according to a report in 'Foxnews'.

Hypertrichosis, also called werewolf syndrome is a rare condition.

Researchers discovered that the disorder runs in families, and in 1995 they traced the approximate location of the mutation to a section of the X chromosome in a Mexican family affected by hypertrichosis.

Men with the syndrome have hair covering their faces and eyelids, while women grow thick patches on their bodies.

A Thai girl holds the Guinness Book of World Records at present for being the world's hairiest child.

People with such a disorder carry an extra chunk of genes on the X chromosome. The extra DNA may switch on a hair-growth gene nearby, resulting in runaway furriness.

A gene called SOX3 is known to play a role in hair growth.

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