ADVERTISEMENT

Superheroes are born out of diversity, with unique genetic traits that make them stand out of the crowd. Well, whether or not you've seen them, there are real-life superheroes that walk among us every day - don't believe us? Just check out the amazing genetic mutations list below. Everyone's parents probably told them they are special snowflakes at one point or another and that they are not like anyone else on the planet, which is true. Still, some people out there have even more extraordinary human genomes. Bored Panda has curated a list of people with rare genetic disorders that might make you do a double-take. From extra or missing digits to unique hair colorings and birthmarks, these people are walking gene pool anomalies. Scroll down below to check it out, and don't forget to upvote your favs!

#1

My Friends Newborn Baby Was Born With The Same Birthmark In Her Hair As Her Mother

My Friends Newborn Baby Was Born With The Same Birthmark In Her Hair As Her Mother

Most of us have a birthmark somewhere on our skin, but this mom and daughter share one on their head. This DNA mutation is called Poliosis and results in the absence of melanin on any hairy part of the body. This unique birthmark can be inherited, or be caused by an autoimmune destruction of the pigment cells at the base of the hair.

Bell_Ashley666 Report

You May Also Like:
#2

My Friend's Iris Is Split In Half

My Friend's Iris Is Split In Half

Those are some pretty colored contacts right? Nope, this person has heterochromia iridis, a genetic variation that manifests in multicolored eyes. The duel coloring is caused by an excess or lack of melanin resulting from genetics, disease or an injury. The perfect split you see in the image below is called sectoral heterochromia and occurs when there are two different colors in the same iris. There is a dominant color and then a splash of second one.

anpeneMatt Report

#3

My Dad Has 6 Fingers On Each Hand. He Uses 2 Fingers To Flip Someone Off

My Dad Has 6 Fingers On Each Hand. He Uses 2 Fingers To Flip Someone Off

This man's thumbs are there and just would not bend at the knuckle, but are fully formed and can be moved at the base of the fingers. Polydactyly runs in his family, too. Both him and his son had 12 fingers and 12 toes, although his boy had surgery when he was young.

the_cozy_one Report

Add photo comments
POST
nanashi
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

all these years I kept wishing I have more middle fingers to flip off someone, never thought it would be possible

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#4

Ulnar Dimelia Or Mirror Hand Syndrome

Ulnar Dimelia Or Mirror Hand Syndrome

Ulnar dimelia is a congenital deformity where the thumb is absent, the ulna is duplicated, and there are seven or eight fingers in the hand. The human body condition is often referred to as "mirror hand syndrome.” It is so rare that less than 100 cases have been reported in medical literature.

drlindseyfitzharris Report

Add photo comments
POST
Bored Fox
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That person can make the hand movements for 'Itsy Bitsy Spider' with just one hand.

Cactus McCoy
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I cannot stop reffering to shops specializing in gloves with everythinmg but five fingers.

Elfmonkey
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I know, right? No idea why. I'm partially fascinated, but my lizard brain just wants to run screaming.

Load More Replies...
Iva Sušická
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

No lonely time for you ever again... You can hold your hands with yourself!

Kjorn
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

in middle age those people certainly must be burned

N G
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This looks so strange, i bet it's difficult to find pair of gloves that fit

Jo Choto
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I would so love to see how a person with this condition is able to use their hands, and what they could or couldn't do that us boring old 5-digit people can't/can.

Malcontent
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This dude should get a job in Hollywood- he'd be great in sci-fi and horror movies...

Linda Robinett
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I wonder how dexterous the hand is? It looks like it would not work very well.

Pretty Pangolin
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yes, like are these just sort of vestigial digits that hang out there, or do they coordinate with the others?

Load More Replies...
Charlene Cason
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I feel that it's so rude for people who comment on Bored Panda to make really ugly remarks about others' hereditary traits. Didn't their mothers ever tell them, "It's not polite to mock the afflicted?" ;-)

Von
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wow!!!!! That's f*****g amazing!!! Think about it! Since no thumb formed to end the sequence, it REPEATED!!!!!!! The body is wondrous!!!

okpkpkp
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I can see the fingerprinting cop now, scratching his head...

Maria Hamlin
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I would be so pissed if I had that many fingers and still dropped my phone on my face

Amazon QT
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Usually it is only on one limb. It’s one of those rare mutation that would be 1 in a 500,000 if it was on both arms.

Load More Replies...
Romdude
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I only thought of how long it would take to my cut my nails if I had those fingers.

diane a
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Be difficult to cut the nails on the other hand as this one has no thumbs.

Load More Replies...
Sarah Britt
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ok that last picture makes me feel super uncomfortable for some reason. It's not as bad when the hand is open.

C.S.
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So this is the inspiration for Alien's face hugger? I would try to be friends with them, but it could take a while to get over the creepy.

Johanna-Nicollette Kidd
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That looks so alien, how to hold your books open+turn a page using one hand... Erm.. Sorta

Maria Hamlin
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I would be so pissed if I had that and still dropped my phone on my face

Shirley Heyn
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm thinking, symptom of a congenitally-joined twin? Interesting! Are both hands the same or only one?

Mike Hansen
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Bet he had fun as a pre-teen and teenager!!!!! It'd be 'Hanna and her EIGHT sisters'!!!! LOL And I bet the girls liked him too!!!! He wouldn't be lying when he said he had to use TWO hands to wank!!!! LOL

Marzena Helena Leino
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Such feature could be of great use either in housework or in martial arts, depending on one's interests.

Viki Banaszak
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I could wear extra rings!!! And so many nails to polish and design. Oh the possibilities!

FF Bougnat
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Gives me the fright. Looks like the Alien when it comes out of Kane (1979 movie).

Minino
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

you should be good as a football player or as a baseball catcher

Harleen
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I would LOVE to have this, that could be so useful! It would be very...handy

Magdalina777
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Is that the siamese twins type of thing? Like, when there's supposed to be twins but stuff goes wrong and you end up with either 2 partially split babies or 1 baby with extra limbs? That'd make the 'extra' hand the hand of the sibling that never made it(and the arm kinda looks double too). If it's not that, then that's some crazy stuff there ._.

PandaLover
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's actually pretty cool! The person must have a really good grip!

Magpie
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This would be brilliant; (whispers : "THIS is intelligent design " )

varwenea
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Okay. This is oddly creepy to me. Cuz I think of spider or centipede man, maybe?

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#5

My Brother-In-Law Got A Thumb From Each Parent

My Brother-In-Law Got A Thumb From Each Parent

Wether we like it or not we are all a combination of the genes our parents gave us. Each gene is a blueprint for our bodies and the ones from our parents contain information that informs everything from eye color to diseases to the characteristics of our thumbs.

ChewyPickle Report

#6

My GF Was Born Without A Nail On A Finger. So Due To Popular Demand, We Put Google Eyes On It

My GF Was Born Without A Nail On A Finger. So Due To Popular Demand, We Put Google Eyes On It

Anonychia congenita is a genetic condition that can affect the fingernails and toenails. People with this abnormality are usually missing all of their nails but in some cases (hyponychia) only some fingernails or a partial nails are missing. Those affected by anonychia congenita do not have any other health conditions as a result of their condition.

nofapventure , nofapventure Report

#7

My Son Was Born With Natural Elf Ears

My Son Was Born With Natural Elf Ears

Stahl's ear (also called Spock's ear for all the Star Trek fans out there) is an ear deformity that results in a pointy ear shape as well as an extra cartilage fold. This abnormality is the result of a misshapen cartilage and when found in the first weeks of an infant's life ear molding is a viable treatment.

animaorion Report

ADVERTISEMENT
#8

I Was Born Ready For This

I Was Born Ready For This

Born with Amniotic Band Syndrome, this person claimed they used to wrestle and since it was required that opponents shake hands before the first period, it was a great way to throw people off.

AeroHammer Report

ADVERTISEMENT
#9

I Have Only Four Fingers On My Left Hand, And Have And Index Finger Instead Of My Thumb

I Have Only Four Fingers On My Left Hand, And Have And Index Finger Instead Of My Thumb

Symbrachydactyly is a condition where babies are born with an underdeveloped hand which causes them to have small, or in the case of the person below, missing fingers. Hand malformations are often treated with orthotics, prosthetics, physical therapy or in some cases surgery.

evan4765 Report

#10

I Was Born With A Scar On My Eye

I Was Born With A Scar On My Eye

No this photo wasn't edited, that person really has a scar on their eye, or in medical terms - macular pucker. Macular pucker is a scar tissue that formed in the eye's macula which is located in the retina. This part of the eye gives the eye sharp vision, so this condition can cause blurred and distorted vision. Macular puckers occur when the vitreous of the eye ( a gel-like substance on its interior) pulls away from the retina.

Spikenws Report

Add photo comments
POST
varwenea
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So amazing, but I wouldn't wish it on anyone given the distorted vision.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#11

My Boyfriend Has Freckles On Only Half Of His Face, I Think It's Cool

My Boyfriend Has Freckles On Only Half Of His Face, I Think It's Cool

This guy's rare freckle pattern may seem like it's a one-of-a-kind rarity but he's not alone. Back in 2015, California woman, Samantha, went on The Doctors to ask them to explain when she had a freckle pattern that sharply went along only one side of her body. The answer- a very specific type of birthmark. "It's a very specific type of birth mark which started when you were an embryo," dermatologist Dr. Sonia Batra told her. "And the pigment cells in your neural crest, some of them actually developed a mutation or a change and as the cells migrated over, it actually effects only half the body. 'That's why there's such a sharp cut off."

notsosecrett Report

Add photo comments
POST
earringnut
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You can also get half a face of freckles from driving with the window down on a regular basis. Admittedly my way is less impressive.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#12

My Son Has Symmetrical Hair Whorls Which Go In Opposite Directions. This Allows Him To Grow A Natural Mohawk

My Son Has Symmetrical Hair Whorls Which Go In Opposite Directions. This Allows Him To Grow A Natural Mohawk

This may look like a cool haircut but your barber might have a tough time replicating it. A hair whorl is a patch of hair that grows in a circular clockwise or counterclockwise direction. This hair abnormality has been studied by behaviorists to see if their is a genetic link between handedness and whirl direction, but nothing absolutely conclusive has been found.

OmongKosong Report

Add photo comments
POST
Petra
Community Member
5 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My teenage son has these, too. :) Has a lot of "problems" with finding the right haircut.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#13

My Left Eye Is About 1/3 Grey

My Left Eye Is About 1/3 Grey

This is a perfect example of sectoral heterochromia, a difference in coloration of the iris when only part of it has a different color from its remainder. It may be inherited, or caused by genetic mosaicism, chimerism, disease, or injury.

Nico_LaBras Report

Add photo comments
POST
Erika Drewke
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This whole post is making me realize how much I like different eyecolours! Its amazing to see so many different versions I have never seen before

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#14

Half Of The Eyelashes On My Right Eye Are White

Half Of The Eyelashes On My Right Eye Are White

When this person was 11, they woke up one morning to some of their eyelashes white. It happened overnight. Their mom thought they had bleached them somehow. It was only a very small section at first but it’s now over half of the eyelashes on this eye. It affects both top and bottom lashes, and they occasionally get one or two white hairs in their eyebrow. It’s a condition called Vitiligo and it occurs when your immune system is weak in a specific area, causing the color pigmentation to ‘drain’ out of the skin, or in their case, eyelashes.

Inimeitiel- Report

#15

My Wife Discovered That She And My Sister Both Have Syndactyly Connected Toes. They Celebrated Their Similar Trait With New Tattoos

My Wife Discovered That She And My Sister Both Have Syndactyly Connected Toes. They Celebrated Their Similar Trait With New Tattoos

Scientifically, this condition is known as syndactyly, but it's commonly referred to as webbed toes, even though it applies to both fingers and toes. Common in the animal kingdom, this condition is rarer among humans. Statistically there's one baby with webbed toes in 2000-2500 births. So syndactyly is not extremely rare and even Ashton Kutcher has it.

IanthegeekV2 Report

ADVERTISEMENT
#16

My Dad's Index Tip Was Cut Off When He Was 10, My Index Is Shorter Than My Pinky

My Dad's Index Tip Was Cut Off When He Was 10, My Index Is Shorter Than My Pinky

This case would require more scientific study. According to research as of now acquired characteristics are non-heritable characteristics of a living creature and that includes injuries and accidents. One possible explanation for this short index finger? a hand abnormality.

poopjetpack Report

Add photo comments
POST
Felix Feline
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It is a primitive belief that acquired characteristics can be inherited and has been refuted time and time again since the 1800s. The Soviets studied it for decades (Lamarckism/Lysenkoism) and found nothing. A recent study suggests that some things, like immunity to a virus, may be inheritable in worms via RNA rather than DNA.

View more commentsArrow down menu
#17

My Kid Has One Streak Of Very Dark Hair

My Kid Has One Streak Of Very Dark Hair

When you have a blonde streak or a white streak because of a localized decrease of melanin it's called poliosis. However, there is no certain name for when the area has increased melanin. Some people are calling this a "birthmark" and other's are saying it's probably just a discoloration in the hair and that it will eventually even out.

smsikking Report

#18

I Have Tentacles Under My Tongue- Apparently Not Everyone Does?

I Have Tentacles Under My Tongue- Apparently Not Everyone Does?

No this is not an elaborate Halloween prosthetic, these are what are called fimbriated folds of the tongue or plica frimbriata. The tentacle-like flaps occur when the folds that go alongside the frenulum (the tissue that connects the tongue to the bottom of the mouth) have small growths or skin tags on them. They are harmless but have the potential to get stuck in your teeth.

SligPants Report

Add photo comments
POST
Kjorn
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

this is what happen when your mom make out with a dragon

View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#19

A Friend Of Mine Can Grab Things Backwards

A Friend Of Mine Can Grab Things Backwards

Often referred to as "double jointed" people who can move their joints beyond its normal range have what are called hypermobility. This is more common among children (10% to 15%) and usually decreases with age, as approximately 5% of adults have this ability. There are multiple causes of hypermobility including: altered bone shapes, stretched ligaments, muscle tone or stiffness and proprioception (sense of movement).

Dubdrone Report

Add photo comments
POST
Laugh Fan
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I can't fully straighten my hands, so this makes me incredibly jealous!!

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#20

I Was Born With 6 Toes On My Left Foot And My Co-Worker Was Born With 4 Toes On Her Right Foot

I Was Born With 6 Toes On My Left Foot And My Co-Worker Was Born With 4 Toes On Her Right Foot

Six toes is a very common birth defect called Hexadactyly, which literally translates to six digits. This condition usually manifests as an extra finger or toe on the side of the toes or in between. Extra digits are usually harmless and can be removed easily but in other cases can be the side effect of a more serious condition.

DomnLee Report

Add photo comments
POST
Nini Meow
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My friend has the same problem of an extra toe finger.. so she buys same shoes of different sizes and wears them accordingly...

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#21

I Was Born Missing My Right Pinky And Thumb

I Was Born Missing My Right Pinky And Thumb

Out of all the babies born 10% are born with malformations of the hand. These congenital defects occur early in pregnancy and are sometimes inherited or a symptom of another condition. The person in this photo has a cleft hand (also called ectrodactyly or split hand) which occurs when the middle part of the hand develops abnormally. Babies with this condition are born missing one or more central fingers on the hand. There are two types of cleft hands: typical (V-shaped and usually missing or partially missing middle fingers); and atypical (U-shaped and usually involves only one hand). 

PiratePanda Report

ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#22

Five Fingers, No Thumb

Five Fingers, No Thumb

The person in the photo above has all five functioning fingers except for one peculiarity - there's no thumb on the hand. This malformation is referred to as triphalangeal thumb where the thumb has three phalanges instead of two. It can be treated with reconstructive surgery by reshaping the finger so that it would operate like a thumb. It is estimated that approximately one in 25,000 children is born with the condition.

Lamont_ Report

Add photo comments
POST
Cactus McCoy
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

:generic glove comment no. 4: Interesting how many hand anomalities(?) there seem to be

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#23

I Was Born Without A Bridge In My Nose

I Was Born Without A Bridge In My Nose

Nasal bridge is a saddle-shaped area that includes the nasal root and the lateral aspects of the nose. It appears that the person has a so-called depressed nasal bridge, which can occur due to various conditions. The most commonly encountered congenital syndromes with a depressed nasal bridge in the pediatric orthopaedic practice are cleidocranial dysplasia, children with neurodevelopmental delay, achondroplasia, Conradi-Hünermann-Happle syndrome, Cornelia de Lange syndrome, osteogenesis imperfecta and Klippel-Feil syndrome. Interestingly enough, this unique feature has its perks - the person who posted the photo said that his nose never bleeds.

fedorahitler Report

Add photo comments
POST
Hello it Smee
Community Member
5 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Dose that mean he can't break his nose? Dose it affect his breathing? So many questions, it is very interesting.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#24

I Was Born With A Condition Where My Right Thumb Is Unable To Bend

I Was Born With A Condition Where My Right Thumb Is Unable To Bend

Trigger finger is a condition that is found in one or more tendons of the hand. The tendon that allows the thumb to flex is too swollen and locks. Eventually the the thumb completely locks and is unable to bend at all. This condition is present in 3.3 per 1000 live births.

Breapop Report

#25

My Daughter Was Born With A Perfect Number 2 On Her Head

My Daughter Was Born With A Perfect Number 2 On Her Head

Bizarre birthmarks open the doors to myths, legends and folklore. In some cultures, it's believed that birthmarks represent your past life, in others - that gods have marked the baby as the chosen one to accomplish colossal deeds. In this case, as the parents of this baby joked, it's their first kid, so the number 2 might represent that the baby was supposed to have a twin, which she ate.

JoumanaKayrouz Report

#26

Abnormally Pruney Fingers?? Every Time I Go Swimming With Anyone My Hands Are Always 10x More Wrinkly Than Anyone Else’s

Abnormally Pruney Fingers?? Every Time I Go Swimming With Anyone My Hands Are Always 10x More Wrinkly Than Anyone Else’s

Pruney fingers occur when the nervous system sends a message to the blood vessels to become narrower. Scientists argue why our fingers tend to prune in water. It’s hypothesized that, as gatherers, it was easier to pick vegetation from wet environments and the wrinkling of our toes prevented us from slipping. So maybe this person has an ancestry with a greater expression of this trait.

aliens-dope Report

ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#27

My Little Finger Is My Biggest Finger

My Little Finger Is My Biggest Finger

What does it mean when your "little finger" is larger than the rest? Macrodactyly is a rare condition that causes an individual to have one or more fingers or toes that are much larger than the others. The exact cause is unknown but some believe is comes from an abnormal nerve or blood supply.

SurvivalFish Report

Add photo comments
POST
nanashi
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

it kinda seems it was supposed to be two pinkys but they didn't get to separate properly

View more commentsArrow down menu
#28

I Can See The Internal Bruising In My Finger When I Hold My Hand Up To The Light

I Can See The Internal Bruising In My Finger When I Hold My Hand Up To The Light

This picture is interesting even despite the internal bruising in the finger. After it was posted on reddit, a lot of people were asking why the hell they can't see any finger bones. It is because of how much the skin and flesh diffuse the light. Think of it as looking through a pane of frosted glass, times a thousand.

Enceladus89 Report

#29

Here Is An Example Of Ryder’s Polydactyly

Here Is An Example Of Ryder’s Polydactyly

Polydactyly is the condition that causes a person to be born with extra digits on their feet or hands. Ryder was actually born with 12 fingers and 12 toes.

red4ryder Report

ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda