Human Skin “Color” More Complicated Than Previously Thought

According to a popular science article, here’s how one of the researchers says this new study was completed:

To understand what actually causes different amounts of melanin to be produced, we used a technology called CRISPR-Cas9 [like a pair of molecular scissors] to genetically engineer cells. . . . Using CRISPR, we systematically removed more than 20,000 genes from hundreds of millions of melanocytes and observed the impact on melanin production.

From a genetic standpoint, skin shade is immensely more complicated than was previously thought.

What they found was “169 functionally diverse genes that impacted melanin production”! And of those 169 genes, “135 were not previously associated with pigmentation.” One hundred and thirty-five! From a genetic standpoint, skin shade is immensely more complicated than was previously thought.

But even as scientists uncover more about how our bodies work and how the genes for melanin production work together and are passed down (which might help with skin cancer and other research), the basics remain the same—all people are different shades of brown from dark to light, and the genetic diversity to produce a variety of skin shades was placed there by the Creator God from the very beginning when he created the first human couple, Adam and Eve. So yes, there’s only one race, Adam’s race, all made in the image of God (Genesis 1:27; Acts 17:26).

So next time you hear someone talk about skin color, explain to them we should say “skin shade,” as humans are different shades of brown because of the pigment melanin.

To learn more, I encourage you to watch this live stream from two years ago of my talk “One Blood, One Race: The Origin of ‘Races.’”

Get More Answers on Answers News

This item was discussed Monday on Answers News with cohosts Dr. Tim Chaffey, Dr. Georgia Purdom, and Patricia Engler. Answers News is our weekly news program filmed live before a studio audience here at the Creation Museum, broadcast on our Answers in Genesis YouTube channel, and posted to Answers TV. We also covered the following topics:

• ChatGPT generates fake Bible verses “accepting” transgenderism.
• How did the Himalayas form?
• A spotless baby giraffe was born to a zoo.
• And more!

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Thanks for stopping by and thanks for praying,
Ken

This item was written with the assistance of AiG’s research team.