As a subject matter expert in genetics and human biology, I can provide insight into the relationship between red hair and pain sensitivity. Red hair is a genetic trait caused by a variant in the MC1R gene, which is associated with the production of the pigment pheomelanin. This gene variant is also linked to fair skin and increased sensitivity to ultraviolet (UV) radiation.

It is important to note that while there may be anecdotal evidence suggesting that redheads might have a higher sensitivity to pain, this is not a universally accepted scientific fact. Pain sensitivity can be influenced by a variety of factors, including genetics, but also by environmental and psychological factors. There is no conclusive scientific evidence that definitively proves redheads are more susceptible to pain than individuals with other hair colors.

However, there are some studies that suggest a link between certain genetic traits and pain sensitivity. For example, variations in the OPRM1 gene, which is involved in the body's response to pain, have been associated with differences in pain perception. But this is a separate genetic pathway from the one that determines hair color.

In summary, while red hair and increased sensitivity to UV radiation are linked through the MC1R gene, there is no direct scientific evidence to suggest that redheads are inherently more susceptible to pain.

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In the late 1990s, scientists discovered that red hair -- and a slew of traits that usually accompany it -- are the result of a mutation of the Melanocortin-1 receptor (MC1R) gene. ... The problem is, in some studies, researchers find that redheads are more sensitive to pain, while others find they're less sensitive.read more >>