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The Documentary: Ingenious: The ginger gene and breast cancer gene

Ginger hair

22/07/2020 GMT

The ginger gene and breast cancer gene

Ingenious

BBC World Service - The Documentary, Ingenious, The ginger gene and breast cancer gene

The origins of the ginger gene and the genes that can increase the risk of breast cancer

The origins of the ginger gene and the genes that can increase the risk of breast cancer.

A particular version of the ginger gene MC1R underpins the fiery hair and freckled complexion of redheads, famed and feared in many cultures. But it is also linked to increased pain sensitivity and skin cancer risk. So where did it come from? And are redheads really endangered?
 
As far back as the 19th Century, doctors realised that some types of cancer seemed to run in families, but it was not until the last decades of the 20th Century that scientists started to pin down the genetic culprits. Faults in two of these genes, BRCA1 and BRCA2, significantly increase the chances of developing breast, ovarian or prostate cancer – a fact that hit the headlines when actress Angelina Jolie announced she had had breast removal surgery to try and reduce her risk of BRCA1 related cancer. These genes and others like them are now at the cutting edge of cancer research, leading to revolutionary new treatments for cancer such as the unfortunately-named ‘PARP inhibitors’.

The Documentary: Ingenious

Find out what you’re made of – one gene at a time.

Take a deep dive into what you’re made of. Dr Kat Arney tells the unexpected story of a single bit of human DNA: the ginger gene, the milkshake gene, the breast cancer gene, and the cyclops gene.  
 
People have never been so well informed about their DNA, with tens of millions of home genetic testing kits sold. But behind each of your 20,000 genes is a fascinating story - one that’s being added to every day, as genetics remains on the cutting edge of innovation. 
 
Tapping into the current preoccupations with identity, health, and what connects us to each other, “Gene by Gene” is an idea so simple it’s just amazing it hasn’t been done before. Genetics and gene research gets plenty of coverage in the media, but this is the first time a major broadcaster has given a proper moment in the spotlight to some of the most interesting chemical threads that make up the fabric of life.
 
Combining history, archive, anthropology, comedy - and of course, lots of lovely science - we finally give these cryptically named but crucial substances the attention they deserve.

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