About the "Mean Gene"
The curse of some Todd descendants
The curse of some Todd descendants
2/11/2016
As probably most know our life attributes are a combination and a collection of 23 genes that make up our personal chromosome makeup that resides in each cell of our bodies.
Armed with this knowledge we know that a 24th gene is impossible yet it almost seems there might have been a 24th gene, which this author denotes as "The Mean Gene".
Throughout time the Todd name has produced offspring's of average to above average body stature until the union of Mr. William (Will) Todd (1892 - 1963) and Miss Virgie Sivilla McCall ( 1895 - 1931). This union set into motion a genetic combination of which regretfully is still very much present a hundred years beyond.
Nearly or all the brothers of Will Todd were 6 foot tall or greater. Will was the shortest at around five foot seven inches.
Wills wife to be was a McCall all of which were average to above average stature except for Virgie who was but only about five foot four or five inches tall.
This union set into motion an entire series of uniquely identifiable stature that appears may never to be ever bred out of existence. A stature identified by a below average overall height accompanied with a stocky overall appearance. Some descendants of Will and Virgie have overcome this tendency either by chance or a very good gene pool brought to the union.
The females with such a stature have for the most part been titled as cute. The males however for the most part carried with it a less complimentary description of just being short as compared to the average.
Usually those afflicted with this gene set were not aware of their uniqueness until somewhere around their mid teens when others towered above them. As we all know teens tend to be very critical of others about them. They are quick to call out any variance of the normal. Sadly the only defense is to quickly accept the fact that the affected are just different and to quickly get use to hearing that fact as throughout life will forever be quick to remind you of that fact each time as if you did not already know. By the time one hits their twenties you are aware and really need no further reinforcement of the fact. By the time you are fifty or sixty it's maddening. You know your short or cute.
Back to Will and Virgie.
Will and Virgie brought forth five sons and three daughters. One daughter died the same year she was born. Of the surviving children four of the sons were less than five foot five inches tall (Sons 1,2,3,4,)with the stocky stature with the tallest (5)breaking the mold at about five foot seven inches tall and normal stature. Of the surviving daughters (1 and 2)one was of average height and the other less than five foot three inches.
All but one of Will and Virgie's children brought forth children.
As of this date and is so far as known Will and Virgie have some 35 - 40 descendants that survived to adulthood. Of that number at least 19 are known to have this mutation (Mean Gene) has brought forth many an issue and surgery's of hips, knees and back in each generation. So far that is approximately some 50% of this being handed down.
Only time will show if this gene can ever be bred out but as it stands right now the future hold at least a 50/50 chance of inheriting the "Mean Gene"
Future generations you have been warned!
As probably most know our life attributes are a combination and a collection of 23 genes that make up our personal chromosome makeup that resides in each cell of our bodies.
Armed with this knowledge we know that a 24th gene is impossible yet it almost seems there might have been a 24th gene, which this author denotes as "The Mean Gene".
Throughout time the Todd name has produced offspring's of average to above average body stature until the union of Mr. William (Will) Todd (1892 - 1963) and Miss Virgie Sivilla McCall ( 1895 - 1931). This union set into motion a genetic combination of which regretfully is still very much present a hundred years beyond.
Nearly or all the brothers of Will Todd were 6 foot tall or greater. Will was the shortest at around five foot seven inches.
Wills wife to be was a McCall all of which were average to above average stature except for Virgie who was but only about five foot four or five inches tall.
This union set into motion an entire series of uniquely identifiable stature that appears may never to be ever bred out of existence. A stature identified by a below average overall height accompanied with a stocky overall appearance. Some descendants of Will and Virgie have overcome this tendency either by chance or a very good gene pool brought to the union.
The females with such a stature have for the most part been titled as cute. The males however for the most part carried with it a less complimentary description of just being short as compared to the average.
Usually those afflicted with this gene set were not aware of their uniqueness until somewhere around their mid teens when others towered above them. As we all know teens tend to be very critical of others about them. They are quick to call out any variance of the normal. Sadly the only defense is to quickly accept the fact that the affected are just different and to quickly get use to hearing that fact as throughout life will forever be quick to remind you of that fact each time as if you did not already know. By the time one hits their twenties you are aware and really need no further reinforcement of the fact. By the time you are fifty or sixty it's maddening. You know your short or cute.
Back to Will and Virgie.
Will and Virgie brought forth five sons and three daughters. One daughter died the same year she was born. Of the surviving children four of the sons were less than five foot five inches tall (Sons 1,2,3,4,)with the stocky stature with the tallest (5)breaking the mold at about five foot seven inches tall and normal stature. Of the surviving daughters (1 and 2)one was of average height and the other less than five foot three inches.
All but one of Will and Virgie's children brought forth children.
As of this date and is so far as known Will and Virgie have some 35 - 40 descendants that survived to adulthood. Of that number at least 19 are known to have this mutation (Mean Gene) has brought forth many an issue and surgery's of hips, knees and back in each generation. So far that is approximately some 50% of this being handed down.
Only time will show if this gene can ever be bred out but as it stands right now the future hold at least a 50/50 chance of inheriting the "Mean Gene"
Future generations you have been warned!
