Quantitative genetics of human skin color

Abstract

Skin color has long been of interest to human geneticists and often used as an example of a human quantitative trait under relatively wellunderstood genetic control. Although the basic biology of melanin production and the method of measurement are areas in which skin color studies are fairly well advanced, compared to other quantitative traits, the evolutionary significance and mode of inheritance are still being debated. In view of the many steps involved in the production and dispersion of melanin and the large number of loci involved in coat color of laboratory animals, it is suggested that genetic control of human skin color must be fairly complex. Studies that have found evidence for relatively few loci effecting the differences between racial groups may either be using inappropriate methods, or they may be concentrating attention on only that portion of genetic variability that distinguishes between major world groups, particularly blacks and whites. Genetic analysis of intermediate groups and pedigree analysis of rare pigmentation conditions may yield more information on skin color genetics.