No, red hair is not dying out, despite being relatively rare.
While it's true that only about 4-5% of the world's population carries the gene for red hair, and less than 2% actually have red hair, this doesn't mean it's disappearing. The gene is recessive, meaning both parents need to carry it for a child to have red hair. Even if parents don't have red hair themselves, they can still carry the gene and pass it on to their offspring.
Here's a breakdown of why red hair isn't going away:
- Recessive Genes: Red hair is caused by a mutation in the MC1R gene. This gene is recessive, so a person needs to inherit two copies of the mutated gene (one from each parent) to have red hair.
- Carriers: Many people carry the gene for red hair without actually having red hair themselves. These carriers can pass the gene on to their children.
- Gene Persistence: As long as carriers of the MC1R gene continue to reproduce, the gene will persist in the population.
- Population Distribution: Red hair is more common in certain populations, such as those of Northern European descent, providing pockets where the gene is more prevalent.
Therefore, while red hair may remain a relatively uncommon trait, the underlying genetic factors ensure that it will continue to appear in future generations.
