Extra Fingers and Toes- Is it Genetic??

I just read this story about a guy who had two extra toes and a finger removed by doctors. Now this isn't really a major deal or anything, but a little into the article, I noticed that it said many people in this guy's village also had extra fingers and toes.

Now my question, is this genetic??? or could it be some sort mutation due to something in these people's environment that is causing this. Why would so many in one village have the same issue???



Does anyone know if there are similiar cases of villages or areas with a concentrated number of these type of cases???




[edit on 12-1-2004 by worldwatcher]

I'm not sure if its 100% genetic, but its would make sense if the trait could be passed on and if the person with the trait were to produce offspring with someone that carries the genes it would probably increase the chances of the offspring having the same "defect". We used to have a cat that had quite a few extra tous, we thought it was extremely uncommon for this to happen but found out it is alot more common than expected.

cats.about.com...

The trait for polydact comes from a dominant gene, and only a polydactyl cat can parent another polydact.

So, rather than a breed, polydact is just a genetic trait, somewhat like the genetics for the tabby pattern.

I realize I'm talking about cats but genetics is genetics.

Most things people think are genetic aren't - they're genetic mutations caused by diseases and/or exposures to environmental pathogens.

My research says extra fingers and toes - called 'polydactyly' I think - is a mutation caused by a disease in combination with something 'environmental.'

...I actually have several files on this - didn't look for them before I responded but FYI - I do have verification and substantiation...


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This deformities could caused by a high radiation area..for example: Tschernobyl, Ukraine, 1986 (the nuclear power plant disaster) in this areas around, around the nuclear power plant, were children born with a lofty percentage of deformities, in the past and right now! Because of the high radioation..

Famers reported about their cows which get deformities on the legs, and/or donīt "perform" milk.

I saw this show about this village in africa that has this hand deformity thing. Every1 in the village had it. It actually helped them climb up trees. The hands were better for grabbing. On the show they aslo mentioned a female newsreporter with the same thing. I cant remember her name and im to young to have seen any of her reports. Anyone remember her?

More interesting are those born with webbed hands and feet)

I used to have a cat that had 6 toes on each paw, front and back. This did benefit the cat, as the extra digit acted as a thumb and this cat had pretty amazing manual dexterity. He could pick up a pencil with one paw, but alas, never took to writing anything with it.

I beleive this was a genetic trait as all of his offspring had the same mutation.