With a nick 'Werewolf family', an extended family of 30 are all covered with thick, black hair – and cruelly shunned. they live in home town of Loreto, north-west Mexico
The whole family is affected by a genetic mutation called Congenital Hypertrichosis, informally known as ‘Werewolf Syndrome’, which causes an abnormal amount of hair growth across the body.
The whole family is affected by a genetic mutation called Congenital Hypertrichosis, informally known as ‘Werewolf Syndrome’, which causes an abnormal amount of hair growth across the body.
The phenomenon started with great-grandmother, who was the first of the family to exhibit the traits of hypertrichosis, which had never been seen before in her family.
The mutation is believed to be an atavism – an evolutionary throwback to genetic ancestors whose characteristics lie dormant in all humans but which come to the fore by chance in a new generation.
Now a dominant gene in the bloodline, five subsequent generations of Chuy’s great-grandmother’s offspring have been born with ‘werewolf syndrome’. Babies born into the family arrive with hair already grown on their faces.
In fact, of the 50 known individuals throughout human history affected by the syndrome, the werewolf family from Mexico’s Zacatecas state make up 30 cases.
Today the family lives in two neighbouring houses donated 40 years ago by a town mayor sympathetic to the plight of a group of social pariahs.
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The mutation is believed to be an atavism – an evolutionary throwback to genetic ancestors whose characteristics lie dormant in all humans but which come to the fore by chance in a new generation.
Now a dominant gene in the bloodline, five subsequent generations of Chuy’s great-grandmother’s offspring have been born with ‘werewolf syndrome’. Babies born into the family arrive with hair already grown on their faces.
In fact, of the 50 known individuals throughout human history affected by the syndrome, the werewolf family from Mexico’s Zacatecas state make up 30 cases.
Today the family lives in two neighbouring houses donated 40 years ago by a town mayor sympathetic to the plight of a group of social pariahs.
Scroll down for more photos....
