20 of the Most Shocking Physical Mutations

You may have noticed that there’s a growing trend towards body acceptance and positivity and embracing all different types of looks. However, most of the time this involves things like fuller figures, copious tattoos, or strange piercings, rather than physical mutations. But now, people who have interesting genetic mutations are sharing their stories in hopes of raising awareness about the “new normal” when it comes to bodies. Some of these mutations affect other animals as well. After you see these 20 mutations, your idea of normal will be flipped upside down.

Double Muscle Mutation

There have a been a few wild news stories about toddlers with super human strength, and this genetic mutation explains why. When a child doesn’t produce enough of a protein called myostatin, or else they don’t react to it, they will become outrageously strong.

Chimeras

“Chimeras” is a term from Greek mythology which refers to life forms with traits from two different genetic components. It may show up as two different coloured eyes, or different hair colors on the same creature. It is a result of two eggs merging after conception, but it has also been seen in blood cells and in plants.

Lesch–Nyhan Syndrome

About one in 380,000 people are affected by this condition, which results in a buildup of excess uric acid beneath the skin. It causes arthritis, as well as kidney and bladder stones, but it also has neurological effects. Those who suffer from it often exhibit self-mutilating behaviours.

Polycephaly

Polycephaly is a congenital condition which results in an animal having two or more heads. This is the result of multiple embryos fusing, and it is the same phenomenon that results in conjoined twins.

Epidermodysplasia Verruciformis

This condition occurs when a person has an extreme sensitivity to HPV, and its effects produce scaly skin patches that are often compared to tree bark. Only about 195 cases have ever been reported.

Ectrodactyly

What was once known as “lobster claw hand” is actually ectrodactyly. It’s a condition that causes a cleft to grow on the hands and feet where there would normally be a finger or toe.

Reptilian Ativism

Although we all have tails that somewhat resemble that of a reptile while we’re developing in the womb, one man was born with a heart that was structured like that of a reptile. He is one of only two people to have ever had this condition.

Hypertrichosis

Only about 50 people in the world live with hypertrichosis, which causes excessive hair growth and hair covering the whole body.

Neon Pigs

Thanks to scientific experiments that are deemed cruel by many, some pigs are now grown with neon snouts or feet. Scientists argue that these experiments will go a long way in learning how to grow human organs for transplants.

Congenital Methemoglobinemia

While the term is insensitive to those who suffer from this condition, they’re often referred to as Smurfs. People with too much methemoglobinemia in their blood will cause it to be a brown color, and their skin to look blue.

Uner Tan Syndrome

It is a rather controversial condition, but one thing that is agreed upon with UTS is that those who have it walk on all fours and appear to be physically devolving, rather than evolving.

Progeria

Progeria is a rather new genetic condition, although not a hereditary one. It is usually noticeable shortly after birth and it causes that person to age much more rapidly than normal. Only about 1 in 8 million people are said to have it, and sadly, they tend to not live past their teens or early twenties.

Amelogenisis Imperfecta

Amelogenisis Imperfecta is a tooth mutation that has 14 different variations. Depending on the variation, a person with this condition may have thin and soft tooth enamel, or even teeth with pitted holes in the centre. Luckily, it only occurs in about 1 in 14,000 people in the United States.

Proteus Syndrome

Proteus Syndrome is now thought to be the condition of which the famous “Elephant Man” suffered. Bones, skin, and other tissues overgrow in those who have this, so many of their features are out of proportion to the rest of them. It only occurs in less than one in one million people.

Severe Combined Immunodeficiency Disorder (SCID)

You have likely heard of the film “The Bubble Boy,” which was inspired by David Vetter, who was a boy with no immune system to fight infection so he essentially had to live in a bubble to protect himself from infection. This is the result of a mutation that causes defects in the T and B cells. In 1990, it became the first human illness to be treated by gene therapy.

Trimethylaminuria

So rare a disorder that its rate of incidence is unknown, trimethylaminuria is very easy to diagnose. Those with this condition cannot break down trimethylamine, which naturally occurs in our bodies. The excess of this results in that person constantly smelling of rotting fish, eggs, garbage or urine.

Supernumerary Teeth

Also known as “Vampire Teeth,” supernumerary teeth occur when a person grows more than the regular amount of teeth we’re destined to have. If a person with this condition chooses to, they may have a dentist extract the extra teeth.

Mermaid Syndrome

Babies born with what is called “Mermaid Syndrome” have both of their legs fused together into one. Most babies born with this pass away due to bladder and kidney problems, but there are also reports of people that did not experience those complications and live relatively normal lives.

Marfan Syndrome

Marfan Syndrome is a relatively common condition compared to many, and about 1 in 10-20,000 people are said to have it. It manifests differently in everyone, but it results in overgrown bones and loose joints, among other structural abnormalities.

Cyclopia

Cyclopia is a rare condition that is thought to be the result of genetic issues caused by toxins ingested by a pregnant mother. Although babies with this condition are often stillborn, they share the feature of only having one socket for both of their eyes.