1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:01,200 Hi, it's Mike Chen. 2 00:00:01,200 --> 00:00:03,200 Super speed, heightened senses, 3 00:00:03,200 --> 00:00:06,090 flight, super strength, invulnerability, 4 00:00:06,090 --> 00:00:09,059 these are just a few of the superhuman abilities 5 00:00:09,059 --> 00:00:12,299 that we see on the big screen that most of us wish we could have. 6 00:00:12,299 --> 00:00:15,739 I mean, for decades, we have all been fascinated by these powers and the people 7 00:00:15,739 --> 00:00:17,570 who just happened to be born with them 8 00:00:17,570 --> 00:00:19,260 or happened to get bit by spider. 9 00:00:19,260 --> 00:00:20,330 Lucky them right? 10 00:00:20,330 --> 00:00:22,420 I mean, who wouldn't want to have the ability to fly 11 00:00:22,420 --> 00:00:24,629 and don't have to ever sit in a traffic jam again 12 00:00:24,629 --> 00:00:26,659 or have the ability to move things through their mind 13 00:00:26,659 --> 00:00:29,660 and to be able to just clean your gutters while sitting on the couch. 14 00:00:29,660 --> 00:00:32,019 Okay, maybe that's not the best use of that ability. 15 00:00:32,019 --> 00:00:33,840 But the notion of having superhuman powers 16 00:00:33,840 --> 00:00:37,770 has always been relegated to the world of science fiction and fantasy. 17 00:00:37,770 --> 00:00:41,350 But through centuries of scientific advancements and studies, 18 00:00:41,350 --> 00:00:44,490 the notion may be much closer to reality than we think. 19 00:00:44,490 --> 00:00:47,019 In fact, there may be genes in our bodies 20 00:00:47,019 --> 00:00:49,819 that may just be waiting for the right time to evolve 21 00:00:49,819 --> 00:00:52,280 and surprise us with a special set of abilities. 22 00:00:52,280 --> 00:00:53,479 So in today's video, 23 00:00:53,479 --> 00:00:56,829 we're gonna count down to ten genes and a genetic mutations 24 00:00:56,829 --> 00:01:00,030 that could potentially give us superhuman abilities, 25 00:01:00,030 --> 00:01:01,850 and fulfill our superhero dreams. 26 00:01:01,850 --> 00:01:04,220 Number 10, more powerful than a locomotive. 27 00:01:04,220 --> 00:01:06,269 Let's start with the obvious - super strength. 28 00:01:06,269 --> 00:01:09,440 From characters like the Incredible Hulk to Superman himself, 29 00:01:09,440 --> 00:01:12,720 what guy would now want to have the strength of 10,000 men. 30 00:01:12,720 --> 00:01:17,289 If you are one of the few people with a condition called "Myostatin-related hypertrophy" 31 00:01:17,289 --> 00:01:19,219 you wouldn't be able to become a superhero overnight, 32 00:01:19,219 --> 00:01:22,050 but you definitely can put on muscle mass quicker than any of us, 33 00:01:22,050 --> 00:01:23,760 who has to go to multiple trips to the gym. 34 00:01:23,760 --> 00:01:26,200 The condition is a mutation of the gene 35 00:01:26,200 --> 00:01:29,519 that produces a protein called "myostatin or MSTN". 36 00:01:29,519 --> 00:01:32,049 The gene is responsible for producing a type of protein 37 00:01:32,049 --> 00:01:35,250 that signals the body to stop producing muscle areas 38 00:01:35,250 --> 00:01:36,680 where there is already enough. 39 00:01:36,680 --> 00:01:40,720 The mutation basically inhabit or interrupts the signals sent to the body. 40 00:01:40,720 --> 00:01:42,560 It is nothing life-threatening or lethal, 41 00:01:42,560 --> 00:01:44,420 it's just that people who have this condition 42 00:01:44,420 --> 00:01:47,159 tend to have more muscle mass than the average human being 43 00:01:47,159 --> 00:01:48,320 You know, without working out. 44 00:01:48,320 --> 00:01:50,279 Number 9, faster than a speeding bullet. 45 00:01:50,279 --> 00:01:51,919 We've all been in a situation 46 00:01:51,919 --> 00:01:54,880 where many of us wish that we had to speed up the Flash 47 00:01:54,880 --> 00:01:58,660 or we could fly so we would never miss an important event ever again. 48 00:01:58,660 --> 00:02:01,489 That's why the gene ACTN 3 is so interesting. 49 00:02:01,489 --> 00:02:04,499 This gene is present in every human beings genetic structure. 50 00:02:04,499 --> 00:02:07,379 It is the gene that controls the fast twitch muscles 51 00:02:07,379 --> 00:02:10,689 that allows us to run sprint and have that quick burst of strength. 52 00:02:10,689 --> 00:02:11,669 Interestingly enough, 53 00:02:11,669 --> 00:02:15,700 the mutation that allows over production of ACTN3 protein in the body 54 00:02:15,700 --> 00:02:19,040 is much more present in athletes such as professional runners 55 00:02:19,040 --> 00:02:20,500 sprinters, in some weight lifters. 56 00:02:20,500 --> 00:02:21,580 Another point of interest is that 57 00:02:21,580 --> 00:02:24,610 even though we all have this gene embedded in our chromosomes. 58 00:02:24,610 --> 00:02:29,880 Geneticists have discovered that some athletes have an extra ACTN3 gene in their system 59 00:02:29,880 --> 00:02:33,070 which allows them to perform better than non athletic types. 60 00:02:33,070 --> 00:02:34,750 Number 8, unbreakable 61 00:02:34,750 --> 00:02:36,850 So maybe super strength is not really your thing 62 00:02:36,850 --> 00:02:39,260 and maybe running fast isn't really your style. 63 00:02:39,260 --> 00:02:42,200 Perhaps you're just looking to be more of the indestructible type. 64 00:02:42,200 --> 00:02:44,960 Well, the conditions surrounding this genetic mutation 65 00:02:44,960 --> 00:02:48,040 are called osteosclerosis and hyperostosis, 66 00:02:48,040 --> 00:02:50,570 where protein in the body are recoded 67 00:02:50,570 --> 00:02:52,370 to have an entirely new function 68 00:02:52,370 --> 00:02:55,770 and kickstart bone cells to grow denser and bulkier, 69 00:02:55,770 --> 00:02:58,260 giving the term 'big bone' a run for its money 70 00:02:58,260 --> 00:03:01,150 The gene behind it all is called LRP5, 71 00:03:01,150 --> 00:03:05,200 a gene whose main function is to aid in important cell processes 72 00:03:05,200 --> 00:03:06,660 as well as cell development. 73 00:03:06,660 --> 00:03:08,730 While it is not at all dangerous, 74 00:03:08,730 --> 00:03:11,830 having mutated LRP5 gene do give you the advantage 75 00:03:11,830 --> 00:03:15,670 of making your bones less likely to fracture than an average persons. 76 00:03:15,670 --> 00:03:16,170 Number 7, 77 00:03:16,170 --> 00:03:18,930 you know the saying "No pain, well here lots of gain". 78 00:03:18,930 --> 00:03:22,920 People with the mutated version of the gene SCN11A 79 00:03:22,920 --> 00:03:27,730 have a certain propensity to not really feel any kind of sensation related to physical pain 80 00:03:27,730 --> 00:03:30,470 Known as Congenital Insensitivity to Pain or CIP. 81 00:03:30,470 --> 00:03:33,960 This rare condition prevents certain receptors in the body to identify pain 82 00:03:33,960 --> 00:03:36,920 because of the decreased amounts of sodium in the body cells, 83 00:03:36,920 --> 00:03:40,080 especially those that alerts and transmit pain messages to the brain. 84 00:03:40,080 --> 00:03:41,550 There is the downfall to this though. 85 00:03:41,550 --> 00:03:43,010 I mean it's great to not feel pain 86 00:03:43,010 --> 00:03:45,570 But pain is what tells us what not to do in life. 87 00:03:45,570 --> 00:03:46,060 For example, 88 00:03:46,060 --> 00:03:47,660 don't hold your hand over fire. 89 00:03:47,660 --> 00:03:49,530 And maybe watch out for that Lego brick. 90 00:03:49,530 --> 00:03:50,980 But without sensitivity to pain, 91 00:03:50,980 --> 00:03:52,300 we never really learn these things. 92 00:03:52,300 --> 00:03:55,700 So it's also much easier for people with this condition to hurt themselves. 93 00:03:55,700 --> 00:03:57,590 Number 6, fantastic elastic. 94 00:03:57,590 --> 00:04:01,330 The ability to stretch the body and twist it into any form possible. 95 00:04:01,330 --> 00:04:04,050 I feel like it's a really underrated skill, right? 96 00:04:04,050 --> 00:04:08,110 Characters like Mr. Fantastic and Plastic Man are two comic characters 97 00:04:08,110 --> 00:04:13,070 that have exhibited this seemingly limitless possibilities of being elastic and elongated. 98 00:04:13,070 --> 00:04:16,100 Now if we remove cosmic rays and gamma radiation 99 00:04:16,100 --> 00:04:17,679 and strip it all down to genetics. 100 00:04:17,679 --> 00:04:20,999 It happens that there is a real-life condition called Marfan syndrome 101 00:04:20,999 --> 00:04:24,620 where the body's tendons and ligaments are basically transformed into rubber. 102 00:04:24,620 --> 00:04:28,040 This is due to the over production of the protein fibrillin-1, 103 00:04:28,040 --> 00:04:30,340 a protein linked to connective tissues 104 00:04:30,340 --> 00:04:33,700 that allows the bodies of these individuals to contort and twisting 105 00:04:33,700 --> 00:04:35,560 in almost superhuman waist. 106 00:04:35,560 --> 00:04:38,770 Unfortunately, unlike some of the genetic mutations on this list, 107 00:04:38,770 --> 00:04:42,480 people suffering from Marfan syndrome do have a risk of contracting problems. 108 00:04:42,480 --> 00:04:45,470 They could develop conditions in their skeletal and nervous systems 109 00:04:45,470 --> 00:04:47,360 as well as developing heart conditions. 110 00:04:47,360 --> 00:04:49,440 Also, Marfan syndrome may affect physical appearance 111 00:04:49,440 --> 00:04:52,590 as some individuals with the condition tend to have facial disfigurements 112 00:04:52,590 --> 00:04:54,220 or unnaturally long limbs. 113 00:04:54,220 --> 00:04:55,840 Number 5, super sleepers. 114 00:04:55,840 --> 00:04:56,840 Okay, here's the thing. 115 00:04:56,840 --> 00:04:58,610 Being a superhuman may have its perks 116 00:04:58,610 --> 00:05:00,370 but saving the world on a daily basis 117 00:05:00,370 --> 00:05:02,380 that can be a lot of work and pretty tiring. 118 00:05:02,380 --> 00:05:04,760 Even super humans need a good night's sleep, right? 119 00:05:04,760 --> 00:05:07,230 Thankfully, a special kind of genetic mutation 120 00:05:07,230 --> 00:05:10,110 allows certain individuals to fully charge their bodies 121 00:05:10,110 --> 00:05:12,900 with less than the prescribed eight hours of sleep. 122 00:05:12,900 --> 00:05:15,140 These short sleepers occur naturally 123 00:05:15,140 --> 00:05:19,440 and they are predisposed to extend their short sleeping habits to their blood line. 124 00:05:19,440 --> 00:05:21,530 While researchers are still in the middle of discovering 125 00:05:21,530 --> 00:05:24,480 the extent and effect of this quality of mutation, 126 00:05:24,480 --> 00:05:27,520 they have identified it to the hDEC2 gene. 127 00:05:27,520 --> 00:05:29,000 Number 4, super sight 128 00:05:29,000 --> 00:05:34,130 On average, a pair of human eyes can identify and differentiate about a million colors. 129 00:05:34,130 --> 00:05:36,760 However, due to a mutation in the opsin gene, 130 00:05:36,760 --> 00:05:40,510 a gene we have to thank for in producing visual pigments for seeing color, 131 00:05:40,510 --> 00:05:42,550 people who are born with the condition tetrachromacy 132 00:05:42,550 --> 00:05:44,740 are gifted with the superhuman ability 133 00:05:44,740 --> 00:05:47,850 to see almost 100 million different colors. 134 00:05:47,850 --> 00:05:50,670 Now, it doesn't sound as impressive as super-strength 135 00:05:50,670 --> 00:05:52,720 or are being physically unbreakable, 136 00:05:52,720 --> 00:05:54,250 but this would almost guarantee you lifelong employment in a paint store. 137 00:05:54,250 --> 00:05:55,990 Number 3, anti-fat ability 138 00:05:57,970 --> 00:05:59,650 Now most people think this is just an Asian thing. 139 00:05:59,650 --> 00:06:01,600 But the power to not gain inches around your waistline 140 00:06:01,600 --> 00:06:03,430 may be more important to some people 141 00:06:03,430 --> 00:06:04,930 than the powers of flight, invisibility, super-strength and laser eyes altogether. 142 00:06:06,970 --> 00:06:08,920 While it may seem like an enticing ability, 143 00:06:08,920 --> 00:06:11,140 the truth is that this condition called MDP syndrome 144 00:06:11,140 --> 00:06:13,420 that affects around 80 million people worldwide may be lethal. 145 00:06:15,160 --> 00:06:17,770 MDP basically prevents fat from being stored under the skin 146 00:06:19,570 --> 00:06:21,280 and does allows it to enter the bloodstream 147 00:06:21,280 --> 00:06:23,200 which then leads to serious health problems 148 00:06:23,200 --> 00:06:24,540 such as diabetes, congested arteries and heart disease. 149 00:06:26,830 --> 00:06:29,200 Number 2, reverse electro 150 00:06:29,200 --> 00:06:30,970 Aside from tissues, muscles and organs, 151 00:06:30,970 --> 00:06:33,070 the human body is also heavily composed of liquids and fluids 152 00:06:33,070 --> 00:06:35,380 from our blood to our sweat. 153 00:06:35,380 --> 00:06:37,570 These fluids aid the body and processing nutrition 154 00:06:37,570 --> 00:06:39,220 and regulating temperature among other things. 155 00:06:39,220 --> 00:06:42,870 With the amount of fluids and liquids running inside of us, 156 00:06:42,870 --> 00:06:47,180 it comes as no surprise that we are absolutely susceptible to electrocution. 157 00:06:47,180 --> 00:06:50,480 However, an extremely rare genetic mutation in one man 158 00:06:50,480 --> 00:06:53,280 allows him to withstand the effects of electricity. 159 00:06:53,290 --> 00:06:56,280 Because of his lack of sweat and salivary glands. 160 00:06:56,280 --> 00:06:59,340 Slavisa Pajkic is Serbia man astounded the world 161 00:06:59,340 --> 00:07:02,960 with his ability to simply allow electricity to glide over his skin 162 00:07:02,960 --> 00:07:05,390 and right onto to any object in his hand. 163 00:07:05,390 --> 00:07:08,450 Since there are no sweat glands to act as conductors on his body, 164 00:07:08,450 --> 00:07:09,820 he is practically shocked proof. 165 00:07:09,820 --> 00:07:13,920 It has made Pajkic setting several World Records due to his bizarre ability. 166 00:07:13,920 --> 00:07:15,970 Finally, number 1 - poison proof 167 00:07:15,970 --> 00:07:19,110 Of course, we all know the human body is extremely fragile 168 00:07:19,110 --> 00:07:20,450 and hopeless against poisoning. 169 00:07:20,450 --> 00:07:22,400 Especially when it comes to the chemical kind. 170 00:07:22,400 --> 00:07:26,270 Humans have almost no means of naturally combatting lethal toxins. 171 00:07:26,270 --> 00:07:30,610 However, a poison proof gene has been discovered in the chromosomes of villagers 172 00:07:30,610 --> 00:07:33,040 in San Antonio de los Cobres in Argentina. 173 00:07:33,040 --> 00:07:34,480 For over a thousand years, 174 00:07:34,480 --> 00:07:36,920 these villagers have been drinking mountain water 175 00:07:36,920 --> 00:07:39,780 laced with extremely dangerous levels of arsenic. 176 00:07:39,780 --> 00:07:41,170 Surprisingly, to this day, 177 00:07:41,170 --> 00:07:44,980 the village still exists and people continue to live happy and healthy lives. 178 00:07:44,980 --> 00:07:46,380 What researchers have discovered is that 179 00:07:46,380 --> 00:07:49,540 the villagers seemingly natural resistance to the poison 180 00:07:49,540 --> 00:07:52,530 has been attributed to the gene AS3MT, 181 00:07:52,530 --> 00:07:55,220 a gene that allows them to process arsenic in their bodies 182 00:07:55,220 --> 00:07:57,290 rather than store it to dangerous levels. 183 00:07:57,290 --> 00:08:00,560 A testament to the wonders of thousands of years of natural selection. 184 00:08:00,560 --> 00:08:04,380 Today an estimated six thousand people are known to have this special gene. 185 00:08:04,380 --> 00:08:05,860 I think way into the future, 186 00:08:05,860 --> 00:08:09,690 we're either gonna wake up and have like extended claws coming out of our hands 187 00:08:09,690 --> 00:08:12,440 or we're gonna grow a third eye because of all the pollution around us. 188 00:08:12,440 --> 00:08:13,730 I think I'd rather do the claw thing. 189 00:08:13,730 --> 00:08:16,530 Alright guys, thank you all so much for watching this video. 190 00:08:16,530 --> 00:08:17,098 See you later.