As a geneticist with a focus on human genetics, I can provide an informed perspective on the genetic basis of hair color. Hair color is determined by the amount and type of pigments in the hair follicles, which are primarily influenced by the melanin produced by melanocytes. There are two types of melanin: eumelanin, which is brown or black, and pheomelanin, which is yellow or red. The relative amounts of these pigments determine an individual's hair color.

Blonde hair is characterized by a lower concentration of eumelanin and a higher concentration of pheomelanin. The specific genetic mechanisms that lead to the production of blonde hair are complex and involve multiple genes. One of the key genes associated with blonde hair is the HERC2 gene, which is located near the OCA2 gene on chromosome 15. Variations in these genes can affect the production and distribution of melanin, leading to lighter hair color.

It's important to note that while the term "mutation" might imply a negative or abnormal change, in the context of genetics, a mutation simply refers to a change in the DNA sequence. In the case of hair color, these genetic variations are a normal part of human diversity.

So, to answer your question, blonde hair can be considered a result of genetic variations, which could be described as mutations in the DNA sequence that affect melanin production. However, these are common variations and not necessarily harmful or abnormal.

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A genetic mutation that codes for the blond hair of Northern Europeans has been identified. The single mutation was found in a long gene sequence called KIT ligand (KITLG) and is present in about one-third of Northern Europeans. People with these genes could have platinum blond, dirty blond or even dark brown hair.read more >>