A recent genetic study has revealed a fascinating fact about humanity: all people with blue eyes share a single common ancestor who lived approximately 10,000 years ago. This discovery reinforces the theory that the genetic mutation responsible for this eye color occurred only once in human history and has been passed down ever since.

Researchers analyzed the DNA of various populations and found that the genetic variation that causes blue eyes is identical in all individuals who possess them, indicating a common origin. The mutation likely arose in northeastern Europe and gradually spread to other regions, accompanying the migratory movements of early hunter-gatherers and later Neolithic farmers.

Unlike brown eyes, which result from a higher concentration of melanin in the iris, blue eyes lack pigmentation, allowing light to scatter and reflect a blue hue. This characteristic, while purely aesthetic, has sparked curiosity among scientists and led to research into its impact on vision and eye health. Some studies suggest that people with light-colored eyes may be more sensitive to light and have a higher risk of certain eye conditions, such as macular degeneration.

This finding is not only interesting from a genetic perspective, but it also reminds us how interconnected we are as a species and how small changes in our DNA can lead to visible differences between individuals. Genetics continues to reveal surprising details about our evolutionary history and the impact of mutations on human diversity.