These are the genetic mutations you probably have without even realizing

When we hear the term "genetic mutation", most of us probably think of the X-Men, or some kind of futuristic technology, or that three-eyed fish from The Simpsons. We know the phenomenon is real, of course, but it just seems a bit too Sci-Fi for us to comprehend as part of day-to-day life. Occasionally, though, we do hear about mutations in real people. Hypertrichosis (also known as "Werewolf Syndrome), for example, is an incredibly rare mutation which causes people to grow hair all over their bodies. Proteus Syndrome is another much-discussed condition caused by altered genes, and is believed to be the disease that Joseph Merrick, otherwise known as "The Elephant Man", suffered with. But not all mutations cause extreme variation in appearance. In fact, some don't alter the external physical aspects of an individual at all; which is why there are literally millions of people on the planet who have genetic mutations without even realizing. Credit: Pexels One of the most common mutations seen in human beings is eye color. Way back in time (about a thousand or so years before any sort of modern civilization was established) every single person on Earth had brown eyes. Now, however, eight per cent of the population has blue eyes. The variation in eye color is caused by one gene, HERC2, shutting off another gene, OCA2, which determines the amount of brown pigment in the eye. So, if you're reading this right now through a pair of baby-blues, congratulations: you're a mutant. But fear not, brown-eyed folks, for there are plenty of other mutations that you could possibly have. The ability to drink milk (i.e. the opposite of lactose intolerance) is a genetic mutation, as the enzyme lactase - which breaks down lactose in the body - did not exist until farming communities began to domesticate animals such as cows 10,000 years ago. It might not be that exciting but, compared to all those poor saps out there who can't eat cheese or chocolate, you've definitely got an enviable advantage in life. Having red hair is another mutation and it's becoming less common than it used to be. About four to five percent of people in the world have it, but it's most commonly concentrated in Europe (as are blue eyes). While red-haired people sometimes face some criticism for their appearance, they should actually consider it as somewhat of a superpower, as they are likely to have a higher pain threshold than the average person. If none of these apply to you so far, then this next one might: missing wisdom teeth. Approximately 40 percent of Asians, 10 to 25 percent of Americans of European descent, and 11 percent of African Americans are lacking at least one of their wisdom teeth and it's all because our ancestors discovered fire. Before that point, early humans ate raw meat, which was obviously very tough on the jaw. However, once we learned how to cook, food became softer and easier to chew, which eventually led to our jaws becoming narrower and eliminating the space needed to accommodate wisdom teeth. Still not checked the mutant box? Well, your reaction to alcohol might give you one more shot. If your face becomes flushed after you've consumed a boozy beverage, then you're a (really crap) type of X-Man. Yay! The reaction happens because of a gene mutation which prevents alcohol from being fully digested, and that in turn leads to an accumulation of toxic substances and a subsequent immune response. After all that, if you're a brown-eyed, dark-haired, lactose intolerant person with all their teeth and an ability to handle their drink just fine, then sorry, you might not have a super common mutation. However, there's a chance you have a rare one! The human race is constantly evolving and developing, so who knows what sorts of secrets are locked deep inside your genes?