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.”

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:1:27So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.
See All...; Acts:17:26And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation;
See All...).

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.

https://answersingenesis.org/genetics/human-skin-color-more-complicated-than-previously-thought/