The local newspaper Fréttablaðið asked Kári Stefánnsson, the CEO and founder of DeCode genetics about his beard and the reason for many dark haired men growing ginger beards. Kári claimed he was not one of these “fashion-boys” who grow a beard to look good. “I have had had a beard since I was a baby,”Kári claims, evoking God’s will: “When you live in Iceland you grow a beard, if God allows”.
From questionable theology to sound science
Kári who is better known for his contributions to the Medical sciences and genetic research than theology had a better time explaining why some dark haired men grew ginger beards. He explained that ginger beards as well as ginger hair are caused by the same genetic mutation affecting melanocortin receptors. This mutation causes people to have red hair and be sensitive to sunlight. Kári points out that the impact on people’s appearance can be quite varied.
“Some people become fully red-haired while others perhaps only get a small lock of red hair in their beard” adding that he used to be a good example of this (before his beard turned white). The amount of red in the beard can vary significantly between individuals. “The expression of the mutation is not equally full, some people become fully red-haired, and then become more sensitive to sunlight.”
Ginger beards and skin cancer
The mutation is associated with an increased risk of developing melanoma. “When this mutation is found in people in the south, for example in Spain, it creates a significantly enhanced risk of melanoma. But to develop a melanoma you need to spend significant time in the sun.”
The mutation is found in 6% of Spaniards, 17% of Swedes and 26% of Icelanders. “In Iceland the mutation does not affect the frequency of melanoma. It doubles the frequency in Sweden and triples it in Spain. So, the effect on the risk of developing melanoma, is determined by how much sunlight you receive. And as we Icelanders know you can easily avoid the sun here in Iceland.”
Growing a beard is a return to the time when beardless men were mocked
Kári adds that when Iceland was originally settled by the Vikings all men were bearded: “This modern day beard-fashion is just a return to older times. All men had beards when the country was settled, and those who did not grow a beard were mocked and made fun of.” It should also be noted that a beard protects at least a part of your skin from the sun and the ultraviolet rays which can cause skin cancer. Growing a beard is therefore not only fashionable or in agreement with good and proper Icelandic Viking tradition, it is also part of a healthy lifestyle!
The local newspaper Fréttablaðið asked Kári Stefánnsson, the CEO and founder of DeCode genetics about his beard and the reason for many dark haired men growing ginger beards. Kári claimed he was not one of these “fashion-boys” who grow a beard to look good. “I have had had a beard since I was a baby,”Kári claims, evoking God’s will: “When you live in Iceland you grow a beard, if God allows”.
From questionable theology to sound science
Kári who is better known for his contributions to the Medical sciences and genetic research than theology had a better time explaining why some dark haired men grew ginger beards. He explained that ginger beards as well as ginger hair are caused by the same genetic mutation affecting melanocortin receptors. This mutation causes people to have red hair and be sensitive to sunlight. Kári points out that the impact on people’s appearance can be quite varied.
“Some people become fully red-haired while others perhaps only get a small lock of red hair in their beard” adding that he used to be a good example of this (before his beard turned white). The amount of red in the beard can vary significantly between individuals. “The expression of the mutation is not equally full, some people become fully red-haired, and then become more sensitive to sunlight.”
Ginger beards and skin cancer
The mutation is associated with an increased risk of developing melanoma. “When this mutation is found in people in the south, for example in Spain, it creates a significantly enhanced risk of melanoma. But to develop a melanoma you need to spend significant time in the sun.”
The mutation is found in 6% of Spaniards, 17% of Swedes and 26% of Icelanders. “In Iceland the mutation does not affect the frequency of melanoma. It doubles the frequency in Sweden and triples it in Spain. So, the effect on the risk of developing melanoma, is determined by how much sunlight you receive. And as we Icelanders know you can easily avoid the sun here in Iceland.”
Growing a beard is a return to the time when beardless men were mocked
Kári adds that when Iceland was originally settled by the Vikings all men were bearded: “This modern day beard-fashion is just a return to older times. All men had beards when the country was settled, and those who did not grow a beard were mocked and made fun of.” It should also be noted that a beard protects at least a part of your skin from the sun and the ultraviolet rays which can cause skin cancer. Growing a beard is therefore not only fashionable or in agreement with good and proper Icelandic Viking tradition, it is also part of a healthy lifestyle!
