If you frequently find yourself covered in mosquito bites, you can blame your genes. For British scientists have discovered evidence that some people are simply born to attract mosquitoes. In experiments they found that people’s body smell attracted the insects in different ways - and this was strongly influences by genetics.
The team, led by scientists at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, found that pairs of identical twins - who share 100 per cent of their genes - are equally attractive to mosquitoes. Non-identical twins, who only share about 50 per cent of their genes, are different in the degree to which they attract the bugs, the scientists found.
The research, published in the journal PLOS One, provides strong evidence that your chance of being bitten is genetically-driven. The results show that it has a similar link to genes as height and IQ.
The findings build on previous work linking body odour to the chances of being attacked by mosquitoes. The team think that some people produce a natural insect repellent that keeps them safe. They believe that, with further research, it may be possible to take a pill that encourages the production of this repellent odour.
Lead scientist Dr James Logan said: ‘By investigating the genetic mechanism we can move closer to using this knowledge for better ways of keeping us safe from bites and the diseases insects can spread through bites. If we understand the genetic basis it could be possible to develop ways to control mosquitoes better, and develop new ways to repel them. In the future we may even be able to take a pill which will increase the production of natural repellents by the body.”
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