It has been speculated that the attractiveness of mosquitoes could be linked to the blood type of an individual. New studies, however, show that genes could potentially be a factor in the attraction of mosquitos. In this study researchers at the London school of hygiene and Tropical Medicine tested 18 sets of identical male twins along with 19 sets of female twins. Scientist used identical twins due to the fact that they share the same genetic sequence.
The way researchers conducted this study was quite simple. The set of twins placed their hands in the tips of a "Y" shaped tube while researchers placed mosquitos on the bottom end of the tube and analyzed which hand they would go for. The study showed that mosquito attractiveness was more predominant over identical twins than non-identical twins showing that genes do in fact play a role with whether or not you are chosen to be "eaten" by mosquitos.
I wonder if this proves true for non-twin persons. Many times when sitting outside with family and friends, I've noticed some people get bit more often than others. Like stated above, it probably has a lot to do with blood types. So strange but so cool.
ReplyDeleteIt is very intriguing that your genes may play a role in how attractive a mosquito can find you to be. I for one, get swarmed by mosquitoes in the warmer months every year and repellent can only keep them away for so long before I am covered in mosquito bites. I have always wondered if it was my blood type or if it was my scent that attracted mosquitoes, but its very cool (and creepy) that even my genes could play a role on how likely it is that I will be bitten by them.
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