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Whether we like our family tree or not, it’s something we belong to and there’s nothing we can do about it. Although every family has its strengths and weaknesses, some people feel like they were not that lucky in the gene lottery.

“Which shitty genetics did you inherit?” someone posed a bold question on Ask Reddit, and many people took it as an opportunity to confess some of the traits they’re neither happy nor proud about.

From baldness and anxiety to poor eyesight and acne, many of these genetic traits will hit very close to home, but remember that whatever it is, we’re all beautiful in our own way.

#1

30 Times People Lost The Gene Lottery, According To This Viral Thread Likely Alzheimer's.

Both gamma's had it, my mom has it and I'm in my early fifties and starting to feel the beginning of decline.

Frankly, I'm scared s***less.

f_leaver , Sora Shimazaki Report

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Sam Dodd
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think we all worry to some extent, my aunt and uncle were both diagnosed in the same year. Remember to remain both mentally and physically active and socially interactive. A lot of new research points to the gut and dietary issues. My Dad kept a daily journal, learnt a new language, walked an hour every day and swam all in his last 5 years. He enjoyed those last years even though he knew he had a terminal illness.His philosophy was he knew it was coming but he was determined to fill each day. A new hobby, learn something new, keep active, engage with people and embrace life. Wishing you good health and a positive future

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#2

30 Times People Lost The Gene Lottery, According To This Viral Thread A very rare recessive progressive genetic disorder. I'm a carrier. My wife also is a carrier. Incidence of being a carrier is over 1 in 1,000,000. Unfortunately for our kids, they have a 1/2 chance of being carriers, 1/4 chance that they won't, and 1/4 chance that they'll inherit the double recessive gene and manifest the disorder. 2 out of our 4 kids have manifested the disorder and their life expectancy is 10-12 years.

Life sucker punches everyone.

mbstone , Ivan Samkov Report

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InvincibleRodent
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And this, folks, is one of the instances where adoption is an infinitely kinder option to become a parent than having biological children.

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#3

30 Times People Lost The Gene Lottery, According To This Viral Thread Teeth. I brush using an electric toothbrush for 2 minutes twice a day using prescription toothpaste, I floss twice a day, I've had braces and I floss under the permanent retainers once a day, I wear my night retainer every night and clean it every morning, have a dedicated tongue brusher and scraper that I use as needed, I go to the dentist twice a year and get fluoride treatments, I don't drink soda or eat excessive sugar, and I still have cavities.

I had to get a root canal that ended up failing (missed by the guy who did the root canal and 3 separate dentists) and when the cap eventually rotted off I had to get an implant which got infected, then got infected again, then was deemed chronically infected and had to be removed.

Now my wisdom teeth are acting up and need to be removed.

I am so f*****g sick of putting in so much time, energy, and money to be *below par* with most of the rest of the world

I'm only 33

NeedsItRough , Caroline LM Report

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JJ
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

All the pain comes on top. I can relate so well to this. I also had too many teeth on one side, and one less on the other which made my braces-time (5 years) even more painful (and also is the root of my chronic headaches now). The last root-canal-treatment meant one appointment per one to two weeks for half a year (!), two antibiotics and one infection also affected my sinuses. Luckily I have a great dentist and live in a country where public health covers the costs (except for fillings). Still it sucks.

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#4

30 Times People Lost The Gene Lottery, According To This Viral Thread My parents met in their 20s, bonded over how they both have shitty circulation and everyone in their families has shitty circulation, and were like ‘I know, let’s breed!’.
Went as you’d expect.

cateml , Oliver Cole Report

#5

30 Times People Lost The Gene Lottery, According To This Viral Thread Hair on every inch of my body except for the top of my head

elgatogordo19 , Furry Beast Report

#6

30 Times People Lost The Gene Lottery, According To This Viral Thread Short, acne, small tits, crooked teeth and underdeveloped/too far back jaw (they got mostly fixed with braces), thin hair, mental illness, scoliosis, tiny toes (what the f**k is up with that, I get too many comments about my baby feet)

Can't think of anything else atm

It's like I won the reverse genetic bingo. If this was medieval times I would definitely be the repulsive town witch

Wdit: oh right, forgot IBS

amputatedsnek , Atikah Akhtar Report

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DEW
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I had really thin hair all my life.I started taking an OTC hair and nail pills. They are from appliednutrition. They are with biotin, silica, collagen. They say three times the biotin. My hair is thicker and stronger. I have to take them daily. The stores now seem to just have the gummies which I don't care for. My son is 19 and takes a medication for his liver disease which caused him to lose his hair on top. He has new hairs coming in. He likes the gummies. Amazon is where I get them from now. I hope this will help you. I too have IBS-C

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#7

30 Times People Lost The Gene Lottery, According To This Viral Thread Lynch Syndrome. I am on my third round of (different each time) cancer.

ferrrsursie , SHVETS production Report

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#9

30 Times People Lost The Gene Lottery, According To This Viral Thread excessive sweating

mrzpzp , cottonbro Report

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KING ILLEGAL FOREST
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Idk if my sweating is excessive, or just a result of general heat intolerance. if the temperature goes up past 75F/24C, I start losing the ability to function. Summer is a nightmare.

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#10

30 Times People Lost The Gene Lottery, According To This Viral Thread Starving myself and still being fat

anon , Towfiqu barbhuiya Report

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Chich
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I was just thinking today of a comment someone made about this. She tried to loose weight but according to her her genetics responded with something like "Oh! are we runnin' from the english lass? Don't worry! I'll keep you plump as a partridge to help you survive"

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#11

30 Times People Lost The Gene Lottery, According To This Viral Thread Half of my face has my moms bone structure, the other half my dad. Come on, evolution, I thought this was all about symmetry.

OH and they both have addictive personalities which makes substance abuse almost instinctive. Luckily I was a pothead instead of an alcoholic or pill popper. We’re all doing better now LMAO!

vashonnn , Pavel Danilyuk Report

#12

No male in my family line has ever lived over 53 years old. I went through our family graveyard to verify this is true back to the 1860’s.

My family do not like me mentioning it. I am 38 now and have fully accepted my genetic fate.

ZebraSpot Report

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DEW
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Let's hope you have a long life. Think positively. May be you have the gene's of the other side of your family!!

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Paul C.
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My dad, passed at 58, as did my grandad. My dads three brothers went before they reached 60, all heart related. I'm 68, so it can change, either through lifestyle or maybe stronger genes from the other side of your family. I wish you well.

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MiriPanda
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Then have it checked out, if possible, what the reasons for the ancestors early demise were. If it is one single reason, it might be fixable today. If it is various reasons, it is bad coincidence.

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Pizzagirl 91
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yeah, death by badger or war casualties might screw up the statistics. Former generations didn't live as peaceful as most of us today.

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Kirsten Kerkhof
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Have it checked out! In my family almost every male died of either a heart attack or bleed on the brain before the age of 55. So now my brothers (and myself, just to be sure, though the women almost invariably touch 100) get MRI tests every five years for the brain and have regular cardiologist check ups. My oldest brother already had preventative heart procedure done. Just because people died early in the past doesn’t mean you have to.

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Jaaawn
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm the same and it's terrifying. Father died at the age of 45, grandfathers at 40. Prior to that generations of male relatives were murdered in the Holocaust so I have no idea when I'm due to kick the bucket. I feel I will die young though. Already mid-30s. Luckily I don't have kids so this anxiety dies with me!

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similarly
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Last three generations (at least! We don't know further back than that) didn't make it to 55. I'm getting close now.

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zububonsai
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I met my best friend (male, smoker) when he was 33years. He early mentioned that he doesn't expect to live beyond 45 because his father and grandfather both died at 45years , both of esophagus cancer. He is 55 now. ♥️😉 - so, wish you all the luck and think positive...

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Ela
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Everyone in my mom's paternal line died in their early fifties, including her father. Except her uncle Jimmy. Jimmy lived long enough for the advent of bypass surgery. He survived the heart attack that killed everyone else, and following surgery, lived into his seventies. My mother, whose inherited cardiovascular disease is carefully managed and monitored, will be 74 soon and is still kicking. I'm in my mid forties and I will get a cardiac workup at my next physical. Take this family history to your doctor. Get tests, figure out what your killer is. Modern medicine changes things. And yes, talk about it! Do you know how many people in my family hav gained decades because we still talk about Uncle Jimmy's magic surgery?

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Maurice Gauna
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Maybe you will be the "mutation" of your bloodline and break that genetic code and live a full life

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Monday
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Hopefully his mother's genes overwrote his father's and he lives so long he gets sick of it.

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MalP
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My hubs dad broke the record for his family at 70 (back to the 1830"s). Hubs didn't think he'd make it to 60 but he did. and then some. Still making future plans! Be positive please.

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MoMcB
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It isn't necessarily your fate. My Grandfather died at 36, my Dad at 52, I'm 58, and I'm healthy.

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J
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Not many females lived to see 65 in mine, I'm 54 :(

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Celtic Pirate Queen
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I knew a family like this. Some sort of congenital heart problem in the men only. None of them lived past 50. Our friend Al's heart attack come on so swiftly he was found sitting in his recliner with a half rolled joint in his hand.

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Kim Lorton
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Get genetic testing! I think it would be a good idea! They can look for reasons and symptoms based on the info you provide. Were autopsies done? What did they die from? There is a family with a genetic disease where all the family members wasaaaaay waaaaaaay back have dropped dead at about 48. After current members did genetic testing the disease was found and the family members given medication to help allow them to live longer lives. It was a genetic cardiac disease. Info is available online.

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Sue User
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Not one person, male or female, on my dads side lived past 70. I also have a medical condition that shortens your life. I am planning accordingly. I cannot get this concept accross to financisl planners, etc. The " you never know, you could live to be 90" is infuriating. Is it possible, yes. Is it probable, no.

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Katiekat
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Change your diet ASAP! Go veggie, and research all the ways a vegetarian/vegan diet can lengthen and improve life.

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Delta Dawn
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As I tell my husband, it’s cardiovascular disease, not a curse on your bloodline. Get regular checkups and tell your dr about your health history. People are living much longer these days thanks to statins, beta blockers, stents, etc.

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MYislandGirl77
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You can find out what chromosomal instability or challenges they had however, quote possibly, as another person posted, the chances of you having gained genetics from another side is 50%. There's no glory in accepting a premature death if there's still a possibility you'll live. ;)

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All's Gravy
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

He doesn't mention he comes from a long line of food tasters at the palaces of Saddam Hussein.

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Celia T
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Three generations is a lot of years for improvement in medical diagnosis and treatment.

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#13

30 Times People Lost The Gene Lottery, According To This Viral Thread My wife says it not a big deal but I always tell her she would be freaking out if she started to lose her hair too. Hair means just as much to men as it does to women. Confidence killer.

YM1979 , Towfiqu barbhuiya Report

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Jan Rosier
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

alopecia universalis diagnosed at age 3... took me until 25 to get to grips with it, when i ritually burned my wig in our backyard (which I had been wearing since about 13)

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#14

30 Times People Lost The Gene Lottery, According To This Viral Thread Two of my sons have muscular dystrophy. That's about as shitty as it gets.

coffeedognuts , cottonbro Report

#15

30 Times People Lost The Gene Lottery, According To This Viral Thread Severe acne when I was a teen that left behind scars.

DeathSpiral321 , Anna Nekrashevich Report

#16

My grandma's large chest. Have a lot of back pain now and everything hurts. Getting a bit of them removed in a few years👍

Emotional_Energy7130 Report

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Susie Elle
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My mom had a large cupsize and it was the bane of her existence for a good 40 years. After reduction, she felt so much better, I hope the same for you OP!

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#17

30 Times People Lost The Gene Lottery, According To This Viral Thread I'm slowly going blind from RP. Thanks mom. My spinal discs are deflating and pinching off my nerves, Thanks dad.

ruzzerboo Report

#18

30 Times People Lost The Gene Lottery, According To This Viral Thread It's alcoholics all the way down

faceeatingleopard , The home of Fixers on Flic Report

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Kobus Loots
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I used to think that this wasn't real until I experienced it as well, my grandfather is an alcoholic (clean 30 years) and I became one as well (clean 1 year 8 months)

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#19

30 Times People Lost The Gene Lottery, According To This Viral Thread Being unusually hairy, oily, and large framed for a woman. It's a thing with my family, none of the women in it are exactly the picture of traditional feminine beauty. I have to wear guys sizes in shoes because my feet are too wide for most women's shoes.

alufangirl1993 , Sora Shimazaki Report

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similarly
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Don't let it make you self-conscious. Two of the most elegant and fashionable women I know have large frames (broad shouldered, barrel chested), and I don't think I ever saw either of them wear a skirt. One woman wears mens suits often and looks fantastic. Just wear the kind of clothes that look good on you.

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#20

30 Times People Lost The Gene Lottery, According To This Viral Thread Terrible teeth. Extra long roots, extra root points, an extra row. UGH.

mrsimpellizzeri , Andrea Piacquadio Report

#21

Female pattern baldness from my father’s side of the family and white hair from my mother’s side.

I don’t mind white hair in theory, but thinning white hair is nearly invisible.

jdith123 Report

#22

30 Times People Lost The Gene Lottery, According To This Viral Thread Allergies

zanesenjak_ , cottonbro Report

#23

30 Times People Lost The Gene Lottery, According To This Viral Thread My back went out in my 20s, and wasn't getting better. After a while I couldn't stand up straight, and had to get it scanned. The found the channel in my spine that the nerve goes through is 1/4 the size of most people's, so the very minor disc slip I'd had became a major problem. They wound up having to carve that channel (dunno what it's called, sorry) wider. Instant relief, but I now have a pretty weak back that's prone to going out. I recover with rest, now, thank goodness, whereas before I wouldn't.

Anyway, that's probably my worst thing, genetically speaking. Bad spine.

Coygon , Karolina Grabowska Report

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Katy McMouse
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Me, too. Every day is a c**p shoot, every movement a gamble. It is exhausting, mentally and physically.

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#24

30 Times People Lost The Gene Lottery, According To This Viral Thread A bad spine (scoliosis, stenosis, & spondyolisthesis) and arthritis in other joints. Luckily, I’m not as bad off as previous generations of women in my family.

anon , Klara Kulikova Report

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Rod Wallace
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Just a few generations ago, short life expectancy didn't see these long term breakdowns.

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#25

Mother has a full head of thick hair

Father had thinning hair and a receding hairline

Guess whose genes this guy got

neohylanmay Report

#26

30 Times People Lost The Gene Lottery, According To This Viral Thread dark circles under my eyes

xPav_ , romana klee Report

#27

30 Times People Lost The Gene Lottery, According To This Viral Thread A very rare case of keratosis pilaris (it covers my whole body not just the limbs, apparently it's super rare)

Unable-Ad-6116 , Karolina Grabowska Report

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Vorknkx
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I am familiar with keratosis, although in my case it's only on the arms and legs (which is the typical scenario). For those who don't know - it's like having a lot of tiny dark spots on your skin - the photo gives a pretty good idea.

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#28

Acne that forgot to leave with the rest of puberty is also not fun. I have the scars AND I have the angry zits that like to crop up along my bra line. At least at this point, my face is taking the least of it and I don't have deep pockmarks or scarring there. But I don't wear plunging necklines because my chest is a mixture of new and old scars.

ConniveryDives Report

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DEW
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Try using cocoa butter. When I had wrist surgery the rehab lady rubbed my wrist with the cocoa butter and you can barely see the scar's. If I don't point them out nobody would know. The new scars should fade for you and the old may become less visible. Hope this helps.

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#29

30 Times People Lost The Gene Lottery, According To This Viral Thread im adopted, but me and my twin both have godawful eyesight

anon , Towfiqu barbhuiya Report

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Phoenix Connor
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have twin friends and one is autistic, legally blind, ADHD, anxiety. His sister has ADHD and anxiety/depression. They got the short sticks but the male twin got the shorter one. AND THEY'RE BOTH SHORT!

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#30

30 Times People Lost The Gene Lottery, According To This Viral Thread My big a*s forehead.

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Note: this post originally had 57 images. It’s been shortened to the top 30 images based on user votes.