Genetics and Health

Genetics Interview #9: Cory Aldrich of Baldiness

by Hsien Hsien Lei, PhD on July 27th, 2006

Happy Thursday, everyone! I took hump day off yesterday but today, we’re back to rocking the house with genetics. :P No better person to party with than fellow b5media Science and Health blogger Cory Aldrich of Baldiness.

Considering that “balding genetics” is one of the more popular searches at Genetics and Health, I’m glad that Cory is here to talk about baldness and other matters of genetics and health. His approach to balding exudes positive attitude and acceptance, which not every bald person is able to achieve.

1. How did you feel when you first realized you were balding? Did you think back through your family history and wonder about what genes you might have inherited? Do you think you have X-linked/maternally transmitted baldness?

Balding wasn’t really a big deal for me, even though it started in high school. I figured it was coming; I’d seen my dad’s senior picture. Plus my maternal grandfather is bald, so I undoubtedly got hit from both sides of the family tree. Bald was simply a part of who I was going to become.

I did rebel in college, I suppose. Motivated mostly by laziness, I let my hair and beard grow out for about six months. Finally, I couldn’t pretend any more. I shaved it all one day, and haven’t really looked back. (I’m still pretty lazy when it comes to maintaining a close haircut and shaved face.)

2. If gene therapy were available to prevent or reverse balding, would you consider it? How do you think the response would vary between bald men and women?

Not interested. It’s a matter of perspective. Just looking at it on a personal level: I can put my time and money into my hair or one of so many more important things: my kids, my community, the world. I am convinced any conversation on economics must begin here: Every three seconds some one dies of preventable poverty.

That said, I suspect the demand for such a treatment would be high. Appeals to vanity are prevalent and powerful.

3. Parents have the opportunity to witness genetics at work. What interesting traits have your children inherited from you? (Note: inherited doesn’t necessarily mean genetic so feel free to speculate.)

OK, let’s start at the beginning. I’m northern European mutt: mostly Irish, English and German, with a bit of French and Swedish thrown in for good measure. Kerri’s half Mexican, half northern European mutt, mostly English, we think. So our kids are all across the spectrum. Samantha, our five year old, is my clone, except for the dark hair and hazel eyes. She’s tall and lanky, with my sense of humor and curiosity. Jake, our two year old, would pass for Latino if not for the pasty white skin. Eyes so deep and dark they take your breath away! And Luke, our one year old? Well, a picture’s worth a thousand words: That could be my baby picture. ‘Nuff said.

4. When you see news about this gene or that gene discovered for whatever disease, what thought usually crosses your mind?

Hope tempered by synisism. I’m hopeful for the possibility of less suffering, but the greatest suffering is caused by people mistreating others. Unless there’s a genetic origin and treatment for pride, greed, and envy, then genetics cannot hope to provide the solutions to our biggest problems.

5. How well prepared do you think you are for the genome revolution? What do you think scientists and other experts in the field should be doing to bring those of us outside of research up to speed?

I hope I’m ready to evaluate the scientific possibilities within a good moral framework. Research opens up opportunities, but it requires something else to successfully navigate those waters.

What is most needed is education. Our information diets are too easily sated by pop culture marshmallows and sound bite sundaes. We need the whole grains and vegetables of real information. Some bites will need to be sugar coated in order to get some to try it, i.e. pop science. Ultimately, people need to grow up and learn what they need to be healthy. There is no parent to make us eat our veggies.

Thanks, Cory! You and Baldiness provide invaluable education and information to people with baldness in need of more than magic potions and lotions.

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POSTED IN: Genetics Interviews