Mutations Maybe Responsible for Lighter Skin Color.

Using zebrafish as a model, Keith Cheng of Penn State College of Medicine and colleagues have discovered that mutations in the gene for melanosome production in humans may be responsible for skin color.

The finding, published in Science, may help explain why people of European descent have lighter skin than those from Africa.

It is hoped the research may lead to new ways to treat skin cancer.

But I think they’re really, really excited about this:

Potentially, it may also lead to the development of new ways to modify skin colour without damaging it by tanning or using harsh chemical lighteners.

BBC Article | Live Science Article