Blue Family

No, they weren't particularly sad, but actually blue. In the 1800's a recessive gene for a condition that causes blue skin became dominant due to a relatively small gene pool in a secluded rural community in the Appalachian mountains. Presently, due to a much larger gene pool in the area, the condition is not seen as frequently anymore. But it can certainly still turn up from time to time.

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Posted By: Alex - Thu Feb 16, 2012
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Comments

The condition has to due with the oxygenation of the blood. Can you imagine having a baby and it is that blue? It would scare you to death the first time or 2 it happened.

Posted by Patty in Ohio, USA on 02/16/12 at 09:26 AM

I found a story about a researcher who worked with the people with this recessive genetic condition. Blue babies didn't seem to phase them at all. He determined that a daily dose of methylene blue would suppress the blue appearance temporarily. Otherwise, those with the condition seem to be in better overall health then the general population - seemingly a good trade off in the long run.

Posted by KDP on 02/16/12 at 10:10 AM

I know it's not right but the same question keeps popping into my head. If one of those blue people were to choke, how would anyone know! Oh, and what color would they they turn? :lol:

Posted by Tyrusguy on 02/16/12 at 12:05 PM

It makes sense. Like the smurfs, there is a really small gene pool as well. 1 Smurfette and about 500 Smurfs = a lot of little blue people. So there is certainly is a historical precedence for such a condition.

Posted by Red Stripe on 02/16/12 at 05:14 PM

I'm pretty sure that Smurfs reproduce by sporing.

Remember the idiot policitian (but I'm being redundant) who took so much survivalist potion that he dyed his skin bluish-silver?

Posted by Mark on 02/16/12 at 05:46 PM

An elderly lady in my neighborhood when I was little had blue-silver skin from taking colloidal silver as a young woman. It was difficult to mind my manners and not stare.

Posted by ScoutC on 02/16/12 at 06:12 PM

Really? Six comments and no one has made the obvious "blue gene" reference? Or maybe I'm just suffering from my own regressive genetic issues.

Posted by Howard M Beers on 02/17/12 at 04:50 PM

You're right Howard, hard to believe we all missed it, good catch! :lol:

Posted by Patty in Ohio, USA on 02/17/12 at 09:23 PM

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