Human DNA is programmed to be unique. Your body contains about 20,000–25,000 genes responsible for giving you brown hair instead of red or a small forehead instead of a big one. They define your height or lactose tolerance, your risk of heart disease, and how fast you can run.

Even though we are all special, some of us are born with even more genetic diversity. Multiple-color eyes, unique birthmarks, albinism, and vitiligo are all due to genetic mutations.

To celebrate these differences, the Bored Panda team has collected pictures of people with these (and other) unique features. They remind us to avoid judgment and accept everyone with their own beautifully distinctive qualities.

#1 I Have Vitiligo And Heterochromia

Image credits: brysizzlle

#2 A Native Group Of People Living On The Soloman Islands Northeast Of Australia Called Melanesians Is Famous For Their Beautiful Dark Skin And Naturally Blonde Hair

Image credits: scitechdaily.com

#3 Vitiligo Appreciation Post. Took Me 28 Years To Realize That I’m Blessed

Image credits: Paperhank

The most influential effect of mutation is its role in evolution. Without these changes in DNA, organisms wouldn’t be able to develop further. Genes in certain or different conditions can improve themselves to help the organism adapt. If proven successful, they can be passed on to other generations.

Contrary to common conceptions, human evolution hasn’t stopped. In countries without good healthcare, people who survive infectious diseases can pass on their genetic resistance to their offspring. DNA evidence shows growing resistance to illnesses like malaria and Lassa fever, which saves people’s lives every year. We may also be adapting to unhealthy diets, as our blood pressure and cholesterol are lowering as a response to our fat and sugar-induced diet.

#4 I Think I Get New Freckles Every Day

Image credits: reddit.com

#5 Child With Waardenburg Syndrome

Image credits: Mandem Faray

#6 A Teenager From India Has A Rare Condition Called “Werewolf Syndrome”, Or Also Known As Hypertrichosis

Image credits: lalitpatidar520

Some genetic varieties have become so common that we don’t consider them to be unique anymore. The mutation that gives people blue eyes is actually quite recent in the history of humans. This change in genes removes the brown pigment from the iris and makes it blue. Researchers were able to trace it back to the first time it occurred in a Spanish person who lived a mere 7,000 years ago.

Red hair is also among the most well-known genetic varieties that people have. While we all might know a person with fiery locks, they are still pretty rare, as only 5–8% of people have this feature.

#7 My Brother Was Born With Brown Eyes And A Slice Of Blue

Image credits: ThankfulWonderful

#8 Anisocoria Is Unequal Pupils, If Suddenly Developed It Can Indicate Brain Pressure From Stroke, TBI, Or Other Serious Conditions (I’m Fine, Happened Sunday)

Image credits: Dragongal7

#9 My Vitiligo Eyebrows

Image credits: loquaciouslucie

#10 My Son And I Have The Same 2-Freckle Spot On Our Hands

Image credits: dxsubomni

Unique genes have very useful effects on an individual’s well-being. For example, most people in the world are lactose intolerant, but due to mutations, it has become possible for them to digest dairy. Lactose-tolerant individuals often originate from northwest Europe and some parts of Africa, where farming became a major source of food.

Additionally, some gene mutations explain why some people don’t get sick. Numerous people have avoided catching diseases during COVID-19, HIV, and other outbreaks. Hyperimmune people can be studied to discover medicines and new ways to treat diseases.

#11 Girl In The Philippines Has A Genetic Mutation Of Blue Eyes

Image credits: Nico Adam

#12 Humans Have Relics Of Growth As A Fetus, Representing Cell Division And Trails. They Are Invisible Under Normal Conditions But Can Become Apparent On The Skin Due To “Genetic Mosaicism”

Image credits: biomedcentral.com

#13 My Boyfriend’s Beard Hair Grows In Like A Hurricane Pattern

Image credits: LessFish777

#14 Heterochromia And Mirrored Makeup

Image credits: ImightBeAnnoying

Numerous superheroes in comics, books, and cinematic universes attribute their magical abilities to genetic mutations. Even though it’s largely fictitious, there are specific genetic variations that allow us to have some “super qualities”. For example, a LRP5 gene mutation can increase bone density to the point where it becomes impossible to break them. The bones are known to crack baseball bats and withstand car wrecks.

People with the “short sleeper” mutation naturally need only four hours of sleep to feel totally energized. The lucky 1% of the population can sleep less than the recommended seven to eight hours without feeling sleep deprivation.

#15 “Uncombable Hair Syndrome” Is A Rare And Harmless Condition That Disappears Around Puberty

Image credits: uncombable_locks

#16 This Kid Was Born With Natural White Frontal Hairs, Blue Eyes And A Lightning-Like Mark Across His Face

Image credits: VAMSI_BEUNO

#17 I Have A Lot Of Freckles Bunched Up On Just One Side Of My Face

Image credits: SanSaniBoy

#18 Persistent Pupillary Membrane Also Known As “Double Pupil”

Image credits: Dslade

A mutation that’s just for the ladies allows them to see a wider range of colors. Known as tetrachromacy, it’s present in about 12% of women, giving them “supervision” to see hues undetectable by other people. That’s why sometimes for men, “all the colors look the same,” while women can’t choose their favorite one.

Moreover, the “sports gene” mutation gives people super speed because it controls fast-twitch muscles, allowing them to flex faster for running and other physical tasks. A study in 2008 found that the majority of top runners and athletes have this mutation. Well, it seems that sometimes it all comes down to your DNA.

#19 Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome

Image credits: sarageurts

#20 Started As A Sudden Bald Patch In My Beard, Grew Back Ghost White. Used To Hate It But Now I Love It

Image credits: t-ryansaurus-rex

#21 The Way My Skin Tries To Re-Pigment In The Summer (All Of The Little Dots Are New Pigment)

Image credits: inkyedges

#22 I Cannot Bend Any Of My Fingers So There Have Never Been Any Wrinkles

Image credits: gxace

It’s truly mind-boggling how various mutations can be intertwined in our DNA. They help us adapt, provide us with super qualities, and give us unique looks. If you’re looking for more publications about people with unpredictable genetics, you can check them out here and here.

#23 Embrace What You Got. At 40 Years Of Age I Was Diagnosed With Vitiligo. Never Be Ashamed Or Embarrassed (I Know Easier Said Than Done)

I believe I got it because I can handle the stares and questions. Just remember if you’re having trouble dealing with it, you’re not alone.

Image credits: ludwig_agina

#24 Here Are My Marfan’s Syndrome Hands

Image credits: heyredditone

#25 This Is My Tongue. I Have A Condition Called “Fissured Tongue”. It Doesn’t Hurt, But Just Looks Weird

Image credits: stupidsimpson

#26 Raynaud’s Phenomenon On My Hand This Morning

Image credits: bifishologist

#27 I Have Always Had The Ability To Bend My Legs Backwards – So Easily, In Fact, That I Sometimes Do It Without Noticing. Most People Seem To Find It Alarming

Image credits: surrealhamper

#28 I Can Lift My Ring Finger

Image credits: Not_Your_Daddy7

#29 I Was Born With A Double Thumb But It Was Surgically Removed

Image credits: BennyWithoutJets

#30 My Vitiligo

Image credits: harrisonlereed

#31 I Give You 5 Fingers

Image credits: MyLeftHand

#32 Anybody Else Webbed?

Image credits: JoannaJoestar16

#33 I Can Grip Things Backwards

Image credits: SentientPotato42

#34 This Photograph Showcases Ella Harper. Harper Suffered From A Highly Uncommon Medical Condition Called Congenital Genu Recurvatum, Which Caused Her Knees To Bend In The Opposite Direction

Image credits: wikipedia.org

#35 My 8-Month-Old’s Hair Is Always In A Perfect Swirl That Reminds Me Of A Van Gogh Painting

Image credits: cwhite0729

#36 My Fingers Can Point 180° Opposite Each Other

Image credits: Quajeraz

#37 My Skin Is Translucent

Image credits: KaleidoscopeWild9670

#38 I’ve Had My “White Streak” Since I Was Born. Apparently Mine Is Genetic. My Great-Grandfather Was Also Missing Pigment In His Hair And Other Random Spots Down The Left Side Of His Body

Image credits: jamiekeim

#39 I Have A Permanently-Dilated Eye

Image credits: BreadfruitNo74

#40 I Have A Genetic Condition Called Marfan Syndrome

Image credits: Fonfon_tain

#41 My Brother Has A Condition Where His Iris Leaks Into His Pupil (Doesn’t Effect His Vision)

Image credits: H0dg13b0y

#42 This Specific Spot On My Girlfriend’s Elbow Doesn’t Get Goosebumps

Image credits: MeeKoH

#43 I’ve Got Too Many Bones In My Mouth

Image credits: reddit.com

#44 Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome: Knee Hyperextension

Image credits: sarahlouiseflorence

#45 My Friend’s Corpse Hand

So this is from over a year ago. It was cold in the bar so we googled it and figured she has Raynaud’s disease. She said it only happens when it’s cold. She’s alive and well. I will send her the link to this and let her decide if she wants to discuss it with her doctor.

Image credits: pertnear

#46 The Size Of My Hand Versus My Friend’s Hand

Image credits: aint_no_wifey

#47 Finger Turned White After Staying Out In The Cold Rowing

Image credits: aydenbear05

#48 The Bottom Joint Is Higher In Both Of My Thumbs

Image credits: Lapisasaurus

#49 My Lashes Started Turning White On My Left Eye And The Skin Got Brighter Too. Pretty Sure It’s Poliosis

Image credits: Status6

#50 Elf Ears

Image credits: reddit.com

#51 Yes, Tongue Tentacles (Plica Fimbriata) Are A Thing And I Just Happen To Have Them

Image credits: yonevbecca

#52 My Daughter Was Born With Hobbit Feet

Image credits: dodgethismofo

#53 I Have No Knuckle In My Left Thumb. It’s Smaller Than My Right As Muscles Have Not Built Up And I Have No Wrinkles At The Joint

Image credits: fmpundit

#54 I Have A Coloboma Of The Iris

Image credits: imgur.com

#55 A Little Bit Double-Jointed

Image credits: Rainydayroobear

#56 Hypermobile Thumbs Allow Me To Make Them Non-Opposable If I Want

Image credits: robertsij

#57 My Son Is Born With An Extra Thumb

Image credits: Dependent_Desk_1944

#58 I Can Bend My Toes Back To My Foot

Image credits: jeepers101

#59 My Daughter Has Had A Red Mark On Her Cheek For Years, In The Exact Same Spot I Had A Red Mark On My Cheek For Years As A Child

Image credits: ArnoldBoneheadRimmer

#60 The Way My Fiancé’s Toes Line Up

Image credits: TimpaniSymphony

#61 The Sign Of A Compulsive Liar

Image credits: human_taxidermy

#62 I Just Found Out That My Chunk Of Gray Hair Is Called “Mallen Streak”, Or Also Known As Poliosis

Image credits: GumorningSunshine

#63 I Have A “Hitchhiker’s” Ring Finger And Can Bend The Joints Separately

Image credits: PeachThunder

#64 My Thumb Nail Has Ridges

Image credits: RatzzFace

#65 Skin That Absorbs Imprints Like Silly Putty

Image credits: cs_cabrone

Source: boredpanda.com