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Many of us have a tendency to look at others and only see the things we’re jealous of. Wow, she has the most amazing hair! And his calves look like they were chiseled in stone. But it’s important to remember that everyone has some special features that make them unique. And you just might be the object of someone else’s envy!
Redditors have recently been revealing the ways in which they’ve won the genetic lottery, from having long, luscious eyelashes to being blessed with three kidneys. So enjoy scrolling through these replies about their rare traits, and be sure to upvote the ones you wish you had inherited as well!
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#1
I can see colors that others apparently cannot see.
This came to be known because I see the place in clothes where the weaving has changed threads and the dye lot is different. I notice where embroidered items use different shades of thread because they ran out of the first shade and most people don’t even notice.
I can tell in wallpaper, paint on the wall, even on cars or furniture. I can tell the colors of green in the sky caused by the tint in your side windows vs the pink from the front windshield tint, and they are different. It drives me nuts at times.
On those “color tests” online, what you see as “40” colors, I can see where they begin the gradations to slowly shift to the next color and fool you, so there are hundreds of colors there in the “test”.
But the bonus! I can also remember colors, so I can perfectly match paint colors to fabrics from memory, or buy a shirt to match a pair of slacks in exactly the right color without having them next to each other.
And since I am an artist, I can easily mix paints up to get exact color I’m after, no sweat.
Comes in handy.
Nimitz 3 weeks ago
Tetrachromacy. Normally the cones in your eyes can perceive shades of 3 colours, but people with a specific mutation can see 4 that allows them to perceive hundreds of millions of shades instead of millions of shades. It's located on the X chromosome and last I read there were only around 200 people known to have the mutation
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#2
All the women in my family live past 100, going back at least 5 generations. We tell our first husbands that they're our FIRST husband's because, well.. it's understood that we'll carry on well after they're gone. No one had dementia at the end, either. Sharp as a track and built to last.
#3
I am a homozygous carrier of the CCR5 Delta32 mutation.
I lack the receptors that HIV uses to infect people, so I am VERY HIGHLY resistant, possibly even immune.
It's a mutation you see in people with Northern European ancestry. I get one mutation from each of my parents. I AM THRILLED to have it because from what I can gather (and I am not a scientist) that gene is the key to stopping HIV and AIDS. I grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area so the AIDS epidemic was a huge deal here.
So, scientists, if you need blood, bone marrow or WHATEVER for studies or who knows what, I'm O-, CMV-, and have the CCR5 Delta32 mutation.
I would be THRILLED to be involved in anything that helps save lives.
#4
I have very dense bones...?
I found that out when I had to have a hip replacement. When my doctor told me I have above-average density to my bones I said, "OH! So I really AM big-boned!"
He turned and looked at me and flatly said, "Yes, but you're fat, too."
He couldn't let me have that for just five seconds.... LMAO.
Grudge-holding Treefrog 3 weeks ago
My family is like this. My dad tore his bicep, and according to the surgeon, he has oddly massive bones
#5
3 fully functional kidneys.
rorscachsraven:
I was born with only 1 so you must have had my spare 😂😂
#6
I’m Black and Japanese. I’m 48 but look like I’m in my 30s. I moved away from my home town, but everytime I run into someone I went to high school with, I can feel their eyes on me and I legit get a little guilty.
My dad is 72 and looks barely 50. We both are still pretty athletic and active.
I tell people that between my two races, I’m gonna look like I’m 34 until I’m 62, and then suddenly overnight I’m gonna look 105.
#7
I can draw near photographic portraits of people with a pencil. I didn’t know until I was a teenager, and it was a school assignment, and I just, did a great job, and was shocked, I had no idea I could do that.
Then I went to show my grandma how proud I was, looked at the art on her walls, and realized I inherited it.
Lulu Waters 3 weeks ago
That’s why we have classes like art, music, drama…it’s where we start to discover ourselves. That’s why they’re important!
#8
I have NO leg hair. Or arm hair. Literally NONE. I haven't had to shave in 26 years.
Feels nice sometimes, ngl.
#9
My teeth are perfectly straight. No one believes that I never had braces. I’ve also never had a cavity or any other dental work.
#10
I have some pretty s****y genes but I have double eyelashes which is so pretty and I've passed it to my kids (my son's look like they have eyelash extensions!)
I also have natural ginger hair and blue eyes which is the rarest combination and that feel pretty special.
Big Chungus 3 weeks ago
My son won the genetic lottery with his lashes, they are about almost an inch long
#11
I don't get hangovers. I get drunk as ANY Irishman, but the next day, I'm fine. I also have stupid good vitals for a fat dude. No excess cholesterol, not pre diabetic, good heart and blood pressure, but I look like Hagrid. *shrug*.
northernsoulgw 3 weeks ago
How old are you, being fat and heaving drinking WILL cause problems, just a matter of time.
#12
Everyone in my immediate family is very intelligent.
All outshined by my little brother though. He's one of those weird super genius kids. Taught himself to read and write at about 2 years old and now he does programming and 3D modelling at 11.
I'm nearly 26 and he's about as good at maths as me now. Who knows how far he'll go.
#13
I’m white but I have inherited the gene that causes dry ear wax and non smelly sweat. This genotype is more common in East Asia and quite rare in Europe. I am ethnically Finnish so I wonder if it’s some distant Siberian ancestor influence.
Nimitz 3 weeks ago
There's one specific gene that codes for if your ear wax is watery and your BO oniony, or dry wax and little smell. Like the blurb says, most Asian people have the latter, and most everyone else has the former. That being said, if a person has poor hygiene, the bacteria on their skin will eventually make them stink
#14
I have tetrachromacy. It's rare in women and incredibly rare in men, especially to this degree. It means I have a fourth colour cone, allowing me to see colours outside the usual spectrum (normal is 1 million, I see upwards of 100 million).
Describing and categorising colour is hard, so over the years, I've named them by the feelings I associate with them for whenever people ask me. They seem to understand a lot better when I tell them the feelings associated, almost like they can see it without seeing it.
Tips of wet grass blades when the sun rises, mineral-rich rocks underneath a light stream, retroreflective animal eyes, my budgie's wet glistening feathers; all have a unique colour and I've tried my very best to categorise them!
While I count myself very lucky, it can be quite isolating. I've met one other person who sees like me via a study years ago, but we went our separate ways. Almost nobody sees the world as I do, and it sucks sometimes. At least I can describe it somewhat through feelings, though!
#15
My immune system kicks butt.
I am a kindergarten teacher. Kindies are renowned for being adorable and efficient little vectors of all kinds of disgusting contagion.
In the past 11 years I have taken only ONE sick day because I was actually sick.
#17
Excellent sleep.
Everyone in my family has this.
Usually falling asleep does take less than 5 min and we can all fall asleep basically wherever/whenever we want to (and easily get up).
#18
All of my mom's siblings lived into their late 90's and beyond. Unfortunately my mom, who was the baby, got Parkinson's and we lost her at 65. But so far I and all my siblings are still here and not doing half bad for being 76, 73, 71 and 69. We are not overweight and still have all our mental faculties. We are also pretty short on wrinkles and we are all still active and doing things. My husband and I are even building a house from the ground up by ourselves. He's 73.
#19
I’m thin without making any effort. Have been this way my whole life. I’m 50 now and I still wear the same size I did in my 20s.
#20
My hair is extremely thick and somehow stays healthy no matter how much u dye it and it grows pretty fast too.
belleandbent:
Us too. Thick and luxurious. My mom is 72 with long, thick, black hair. Maybe a few grays here and there.
#21
I write songs and can learn to play almost any instrument pretty quickly. And it’s mainly me and my dad. Musicality is off the charts for both of us.
#22
I was born in America with a disability that counts as *just* debilitating enough to qualify for great government funded health insurance, but isn't so debilitating I'm constantly suffering.
That's winning the genetic lottery in America.
#23
I have shite genetics, but my eyes are so blue that people ask if I’m wearing colored contacts a lot. I’ll take that for a win!
JenniB 3 weeks ago
Me too! The other day with my teenage son at the grocery store, my sunglasses were hanging on my shirt. A lady that works there said "I like your lenses". I touched my sunglasses and told her they were a cheap pair but thanks. She said "no, I meant your contact lenses". My son said "those are her eyes!" I have light skin but quite dark hair, for some reason people find it hard to believe blue eyes can be natural with anything but blonde/light hair...
#24
My period is so regular I know exactly when it's coming. It only lasts 3 days. No cramping ever and not an overly heavy flow. I might be the only person in the world to say "I like getting my period" .
Lady Eowyn 3 weeks ago
I hate you. I had wildly irregular, very heavy, painful periods. I was on birth control pills continuous for decades. I was thrilled to hit menopause, even with the "so hot I stick my head in the freezer" episodes.
#25
I have Gilbert’s syndrome, my liver doesn’t process a certain waste product as quickly as it should (bilirubin is always a little high). That sounds bad, but apparently it’s a strong antioxidant, so having extra bilirubin around all the time apparently gives me extra protection against many cancers and heart disease.
#26
My hair is almost all still brown in my 70s.
g-a-r-n-e-t:
My grandpa on my dad’s side still had a full head of shoe-polish black hair in his 90s. He had only just started going salt and pepper when he died at 96.
This would be a GREAT genetic lottery win except for the part where he’s not my biological grandpa. I took after my mom’s side and started greying at 17. My poor dad went full Picard at the ripe old age of 21.
Catlady6000 3 weeks ago
My Mom died last year. For some reason, all I could think was she has half as much grey hair as I do. And it's twice as thick. She was so beautiful right up until the last
#27
The most basic kind of a genetic lottery win— it’s unfortunate that this is still considered a win in 2025 but I was privileged to be born to well educated, upper middle class, white, atheist, happily married parents as a planned baby and to have turned out conventionally attractive, intelligent and creative. For most of my life I was also slender with an hourglass figure. I still have an hourglass figure but have put on weight due to age & medication in my old age. My parents were also financially savvy and started savings and credit accounts for myself and my brother when we were children so we’d have a positive head start in those areas. We were also well traveled children and exposed to the arts from a young age. I am acutely aware that my privileged upbringing contributed a lot to the success I enjoy in life today.
Pretty Pink Sky Photography 3 weeks ago
I really admire that you recognize the blessings in your life. It’s refreshing to hear from someone who appreciates what they have without a sense of entitlement. My hat’s off to you.
#28
I can be well-rested with only 4-5 hours of sleep every night and I can stay up for 48 hours straight (rare instances) if needed with no noticeable cognitive impairment.
Nay Wilson 3 weeks ago
I wish I could do that. I have Chronic Fatigue syndrome and need 14 hours of sleep a day just to function for the few hours I’m awake
#29
I’m one of 7 children in my family. There is no record of anyone on either parent’s side having cancer. My paternal grandmother loved to be 101. My dad is 92 and still rides a motorcycle and flies drones. Blessed with great health.
#30
My taste and texture sensitivity means I can taste minute differences in ingredients and seasonings. I can tell which water has a higher PH if you places two glasses of iced water in front of me.
It’s not a cool skill, but maybe I could have been a poison tester or something. Idk.
#31
Huge bladder (or just dull stretch receptors). Road trip champion!
thesquishsquash:
Eyyy same here! My parents dubbed me “bladder of steel” as a kid because I wouldn’t need to use the bathroom on long flights 💀
#32
I have Absolute Pitch, which is the ability to identify or re-create a given musical note without the benefit of a reference tone.
I am not a musician so I am wasting it away
Edit: I am not a career musician, I did play the violin for 13 years or so but stopped around the time I finished high school and never picked up again.
#33
I got central heterochromic eyes! Green on the outside, hazel on the inside.
My hair is thin, but i have a lot of it, so styling is easy(ish).
I have really pale skin, so my tattoos pop up really well.
#34
I don't get bitten by mosquitoes, like ever. I'll be outside in summer and never have any issues, but my daughter will constantly get bites.
#35
I have golden 'strawberry blonde' hair! The exact same shade of gold as my Golden Retriever; if I lay my hair on top of his fur, you can't tell the difference. My hair is mostly pale blonde with occasional pieces of coppery red. ChatGPT says that's the rarest hair color (~0.01–0.08% prevalence), except for pure white hair (Albino).
Wild Cream 3 weeks ago
Is it that rare? My coworkers have an ongoing inside joke with me about whether I’m a redhead or a blonde because of my strawberry blonde hair 😂
#36
Apparently I have enough room in my mouth that I can keep my wisdom teeth.
Wild Cream 3 weeks ago
About a year ago when I was last at the dentist he’s like “oh! Your wisdom tooth on the left popped through eh?!” I didn’t even notice 😂 there is indeed a wisdom tooth fully erupted on the left side of my upper jaw and I didn’t even feel it come in. I can feel the right one right under my gum but there’s no pain. I think I’m lucky?
#37
My brothers & I can all wiggle our noses. (Like on Bewitched). We got that from our Dad. We use it to say “love you” whenever the fancy strikes.
I feel the need to say that my real “genetic lottery win” is my brothers who show me affection in this small way.
#39
I'll talk about my wife. She's Native American so she has the most silky smooth golden brown skin imaginable. And she has that "line" in her thigh naturally making her legs the best asset. Pair that with her naturally straight dark hair and dark eyes and it's a total package. After almost 20 years together and in our mid-40's she's still got it all the way. She doesn't have to work on her physique at all, it's just naturally good.
I'm very average guy but I did get blessed in a key area.
#40
I don’t need glasses.
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What do you think ?
and_a_touch_of_the_’tism 3 weeks ago
I have a whole load of physical and mental health issues, but I also have synthesesia, I can taste/mouthfeel words
TheForrestGreene (he/they/it) 3 weeks ago
i think i might also have synthesesia because i can smell and taste colors
Load More Replies...
sofacushionfort 3 weeks ago
Many, many times I’ve been informed by my parents that my eyes are bigger than my stomach
and_a_touch_of_the_’tism 3 weeks ago
I have a whole load of physical and mental health issues, but I also have synthesesia, I can taste/mouthfeel words
TheForrestGreene (he/they/it) 3 weeks ago
i think i might also have synthesesia because i can smell and taste colors
Load More Replies... sofacushionfort 3 weeks ago
Many, many times I’ve been informed by my parents that my eyes are bigger than my stomach
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