Quirky Genetic Traits Your Baby Could Inherit

Picture of Sophia McCarthy

Sophia McCarthy

Operations Manager

One of the most common phrases you’ll hear when your baby arrives is the inevitable: “Oh my gosh! They’re the image of —” followed by a debate as to which side of the family or which parent they most resemble. Or how many times have you been told by an older relative or parent that: “Ah! You get that from your mother!” In today’s society—especially in Ireland—we love discussing genetics on a day-to-day basis, without even realising it! 

 

What is genetics and how does it work?

Let’s get sciencey for a minute in order to understand what genetics actually is. Genetics is the study of genes and heredity (aka, the heritage passed down by our biological parents). Certain qualities or traits are passed down through generations through changes in DNA sequence (or Deoxyribonucleic acid, if we’re being very fancy). Your DNA is basically a corkscrew-shaped long molecule that contains instructions for the development and functions of an organism. Our DNA and genes are stored in chromosomes.

So what do these chromosomes do when your body is starting to form a baby? Well, we typically have 23 pairs of chromosomes in our cells. We inherit one chromosome in each pair from our mother and the other from our father. Following this pattern, reproductive cells—eggs and sperm—randomly receive one chromosome from each of the 23 sets instead of both. This means that the fertilised egg (your baby in its early stages) will contain the 23 pairs needed for typical development.

The most typical traits we inherit are the more obvious ones: facial features, eye colour, hair colour and texture, skin tone and blood group. But what are the other, more unusual traits that can be passed along?

 

The Coriander Gene

Yes, really! If you or your partner have an aversion to coriander because it just tastes like you’ve bitten into a bar of Dove soap, chances are your baby could also inherit this not-so-foodie-friendly sensory reaction. 

This particular trait is due to a variation in a group of olfactory-receptor genes that cause you to strongly perceive the soapy-flavoured aldehydes in cilantro leaves. Interestingly, according to Britannica.com: 

This genetic quirk is usually only found in a small percent of the population, though it varies geographically. Interestingly, places where cilantro is especially popular, such as Central America and India, have fewer people with these genes, which might explain how the herb was able to become such a mainstay in those regions. 

 

Light Sneezes: Achoo Syndrome

Autosomal Dominant Compelling Helioopthalmic Outburst Syndrome (otherwise known by its amusing acronym, ACHOO). This is a genetic condition where a person will uncontrollably sneeze or report a prickling sensation in their nostrils when suddenly exposed to bright light. Those affected tend to keep a pair of sunglasses handy wherever they go, especially when driving! According to The National Library of Medicine: “ACHOO syndrome is inherited in an autosomal dominant manner (1). As such, if one parent is affected, their child has a 50% chance of inheriting the syndrome.” 

 

Dominant hand

Did you know that your child’s dominant hand can also be influenced by genetics? While there is certainly a debate for nature versus nurture when it comes to being right-handed or a leftie, an article from the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital in Birmingham has shown an interesting correlation with parental genetics:

Although hand preference can be learnt, the genetic influence is surprisingly consistent. If two parents are right-handed, their offspring has a 10% chance of being left-handed. However, if one or both parents are left-handed, the chance of their child being left-handed becomes higher at 18 to 22% and 27%, respectively. (Jing SS.)

 

Tolerance for spicy food

Did you know that your tolerance for spicy foods can also be influenced by genetics? A 2012 scientific study compared the results of fraternal and identical twins’ reactions to spicy foods, and the results showed that 18-58% of one’s preference for spice comes from genetics! While your ability to handle spicy food can later be trained to tolerate higher schovilles, it’s amazing to see how much genetics actually factors into this!

 

If you would like more information on anything covered in this post, you can get in touch via info@theultrasoundsuite.ie or send us a message on our Facebook page and we will get back to you as soon as possible. Our website www.theultrasoundsuite.ie also provides a wealth of information on our various policies and procedures.

 

Resources and Further Reading

Britannica.com: Why Does Cilantro Taste Like Soap to Some People?

National Library of Medicine: Hand Dominance: Nature, Nurture, and Relevance for Hand Surgeons

National Institute of General Medical Sciences: Genetics

National Library of Medicine: ACHOO Syndrome

Science Direct: Why do some like it hot? Genetic and environmental contributions to the pleasantness of oral pungency

 

Related Scans

Growth Scan

Gestation: 14-40 Weeks

Learn More

12 Week Scan

Gestation: 11-13 Weeks

Learn More

3D Pregnancy Scan

Gestation: 16-34 Weeks

Learn More

Anomaly Scan

Gestation: 20-24 Weeks

Learn More

Gender Scan

Gestation: 16-40 Weeks

Learn More

Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing

Gestation: From 9 Weeks

Learn More

More Articles

Why Does My Due Date Keep Changing?

Pregnancy dates can be confusing. When you find out you’re pregnant, the first question you’ll be asked is the first day of your last menstrual period (LMP.) If you get your period regularly every month, we assume ovulation/conception happens 2 weeks after your period started. If you have irregular periods,

Read more

Gestational Diabetes FAQ

What is Gestational Diabetes? Your first pregnancy can be an exciting—but also a slightly daunting—time. You’ve likely done your fair share of googling and research to get an idea of what health conditions to watch out for. Something that may have come up a lot is gestational diabetes; a condition

Read more

What Is “Pregnancy Brain”?

When listening to friends and family discussing their pregnancies, you may have heard them jokingly refer to their “pregnancy brain” when they locked their keys into the car or completely blanked on a sibling’s name. Maybe you’ve noticed yourself becoming strangely forgetful, distracted or generally foggy-brained during your pregnancy. If

Read more

Is It Safe to Fly During Pregnancy? And Other Frequently Asked Questions
Are you a first-time parent with a lot of questions about what is safe during pregnancy? Have you been wondering if it’s ok to travel by plane or continue your beauty treatments? We have compiled a list of frequently asked questions and answers about safe activities during pregnancy. Don’t hesitate

Read more

Announcing Your Pregnancy and Some Fun Ideas!

It’s happening! You’ve had a positive pregnancy test, you’ve been to your first scan and all is well. It’s exciting and a little overwhelming; you’re torn between wanting to shout it to the world or to keep this special news to yourself and your partner. So where do you even

Read more

The Different Types of Ovarian Cysts

Ovarian cysts are very common and do not usually cause any symptoms. Cedars-Sinai estimates that 10% of women experience ovarian cysts, with many not even realising they have one, as most ovarian cysts occur naturally and go away in a few months without needing any treatment. What is an ovarian

Read more

What Is The Placenta And How Does It Work?

During a pregnancy ultrasound scan, the sonographer will always check the condition of your placenta alongside your baby. This is because the placenta is a crucial organ during pregnancy. The placenta itself, its formation and its functions are really incredible—it’s amazing what your body can do to create a healthy

Read more

Unusual Irish Baby Names That Are Making a Comeback

Congratulations, you’re pregnant! You’ve got your scans booked, birth plan arranged and baby clothes ready to go. Now comes the tricky final decision: what are you going to name your baby? Some people will have had a list of names ready since childhood for both boys and girls. Some will

Read more

Caffeine During Pregnancy

How Food and Drink Are Processed During Pregnancy During pregnancy, it’s important to ensure that you are maintaining the correct level of nutrients to support your growing baby. It is also a time to be more conscious of what stimulants you are consuming on a daily basis. If you love

Read more

It’s Twins! An Overview of Twin Pregnancy and Common Terminology

One of the first things we check when you come in for your pregnancy scan is how many babies there are. Don’t worry too much, most of the time there’s just one. Occasionally, there might be a second (or third!) But we’ll go through everything you need to know about

Read more

What is a Nuchal Translucency Scan?

If you are currently in your first trimester of pregnancy, you’ve likely already started planning your medical appointments and are looking into all the different types of scans and testing available to you. One type of testing you may have spotted on our website is First Trimester Screening; a blood

Read more

What Causes Pregnancy Food Cravings?

Food cravings are a common part of going through pregnancy. We’ve all seen the trope played-out in movies of a pregnant character craving ice-cream at 3am or heard of a friend or relative that suddenly craved pieces of coal in their second trimester. But not every woman will experience these

Read more

What Behaviours Do Babies Practice in the Womb?

As an expectant parent, you might be wondering what your baby is getting up to while it’s preparing to arrive! Aside from sleeping and getting chubby, did you know that—even while still in the womb—babies have an instinctive drive to start practising behaviours and facial expressions that will help them

Read more

How To Determine Your Due Date

Sometimes figuring out your due date can be confusing. There are several variables that can affect your dates, and everyone’s body is different and won’t necessarily follow a “normal” cycle. Here we will go over the best way to determine your due date and what it is based on. Last

Read more

What Can A Detailed Anomaly Scan Detect?

Congratulations, you’re almost halfway through your pregnancy! By now, your doctor may have recommended a Detailed Anomaly Scan. While the name may seem daunting, this is probably the most important scan during pregnancy and is an entirely routine part of the process. What is a Detailed Anomaly Scan? A Detailed

Read more

Planning Your Gender Reveal Scan

One of our most popular scans is the Gender Determination Scan, a full fetal wellbeing check that also determines the sex of the baby. This is a very exciting moment for first time parents—or those who may have eager siblings waiting at home for a gender reveal—so it’s incredibly important

Read more

When Should I Feel My Baby Move?

It is very common to wonder when you’ll finally get to feel your baby’s little movements and kicks during pregnancy. It’s not a straightforward answer and there are a few variables to take into consideration. The biggest factor is the location of your placenta. Where the placenta attaches is completely

Read more

Smoking and Pregnancy

We know that smoking is bad for you – bad for your lungs, your heart, your blood vessels…but what about during pregnancy? Smoking negatively affects your baby too. Smoking or vaping constricts your blood vessels, making them smaller and harder for blood to flow through them. That blood is what

Read more

Pregnancy and Nutrition

During pregnancy, your developing baby places additional demands on your body not least when it comes to how and what you should be eating. Hence, nutrition is something you need to pay special attention to from the early stages of pregnancy. You want to be sure your body is in

Read more

Pregnancy and Exercise. Should you do it?

Exercise is vital to help regulate the body and maintain health. In addition to keeping your body in shape, exercise ensures that your heart functions optimally, your foods are properly digested, and your respiratory system stays at its best. This will only become more important throughout, and immediately after, pregnancy

Read more

Detailed Anomaly Scan

What Is A Detailed Anomaly Scan? A Detailed Anomaly Scan is a detailed examination of your baby to make sure everything is developing as it should be, while also checking for birth defects like spina bifida and heart problems. The scan can also detect subtle markers that may suggest

Read more

Skip to content