Although it is hard for you to believe, in real life there are also people who have “Superpowers”. Or at least, that they can do things that most people can’t.
It sounds like science fiction, but it’s actually about natural genetic conditions. Yes, Not only are rare diseases inherited; there are those who have strange DNA mutations that allow them to do some of these wonderful things.
1. See underwater
Human beings can hardly open their eyes underwater, and when we do, we see everything very blurry. But there are people who, on the other hand, can see perfectly underwater: the moken people.
Known as the “sea gypsies”, located in the area between Burma and Thailand, these people have developed the ability to see crystal clear underwater.
According to research carried out in 2003, this is possible because the eyes of these people change shape underwater, so that light refracts correctly when entering their eyes.
Thus, years of evolution have allowed this town to see up to 20 meters underwater.
2. Cold tolerance
Normally, the human body is not capable of resisting extreme cold. However, there are populations that live in frozen areas, such as the Arctic, and without many comforts. How do they get it?
Well, in this case, genetics has also done its thing, and the body of these people is biologically different from ours.
Tribes originating from extremely cold places have some particular genetic conditions. For example, they don’t shake, they have fewer sweat glands, their metabolism is much faster, and they have thick skin.
3. Sleep less
You already know that, in general, we all need between 7 and 9 hours of sleep per day to be healthy.
However, a few people have a genetic condition whereby they need fewer hours of sleep to fully rest.
This is so because the people with the DEC2 gene mutated sleep much deeper than usual. Therefore, they can sleep fewer hours and rest the same.
But you should know that it is a very very rare condition, which is only shared by 1% of the population.
So the fact that you can for some time sleep less than 7 hours a day and function well does not mean that your body has this genetic condition. Chances are that in the long run, you will discover many problems caused by lack of sleep.
4. Strong skeletons
Naturally, people weaken over the years, and this is also noticeable in their bones, which gradually lose strength.
However, some people have been found to have a mutation in a gene called SOST, which causes bone mass not to be lost as we age. Thus, the bones continue to accumulate density and mass over time, giving them the skeleton of a much younger person.
This genetic condition was found in an African population, and medical scientists are currently trying to replicate it to solve bone problems.
5. Resistance to heights
If you have vacationed in the heights, or have known someone who has, you know that it is not easy to endure those latitudes. The conditions that occur at these heights make many people dizzy, sick, have headaches, etc.
However, there are people who live in these areas year-round and don’t seem to flinch. According to studies carried out on Quechuas from the Andes and Tibetans from the HimalayasThis is because they have genetic advantages that allow them to adapt.
For example, their torsos are larger and have greater lung capacity, and they react differently to lack of oxygen than usual (while most people make more red blood cells, they make less).
Did you imagine that there were people with these genetic conditions?
Sources:
BBC