Ask the doctor with Dr. Gloria Ndagire
Dear Doctor,
Is it possible that two very dark skinned people can have a baby with fair complexion? How does this happen?
Ken
Dear Ken,
It is not uncommon for two dark skinned persons to have a light skinned baby. Skin colour is a physical characteristic that is determined by genes inherited from one’s parents. However, the actual colour depends on which gene is more dominant.
A baby will end up being light skinned if they inherit the dominant gene from their light skinned mother and the less dominant one from their dark skinned father.
However, during the process of conception and fertilization, there is mixing of genetic material to form a new unique being.
This explains why siblings from the same family may have different skin tones and appearances. Sometimes the formerly less dominant genes from ones grandparents may become dominant in the babies who may end up with a different skin colour from that of their parents.
Whether a gene is physically expressed or not depends on whether it is paired with a less dominant or more dominant gene.
