Scientists have changed the color of a dark­striped zebra­fish (斑马鱼) to uniform gold by inserting a version of the pigment (色素) gene into a young fish. As with humans, zebra­fish skin color is determined by pigment cells, which contain melanin (黑色素). The number, size and darkness of melanin per pigment cell determine skin color.

　　It appears that, like the golden zebra­fish, light­skinned Europeans also have a mutation (变异) in the gene for melanin production. This results in less pigmented skin.

　　However, Keith Cheng, leader of the research team, points out that the mutation is different in human and zebra­fish genes.

　　Humans acquired dark skin in Africa about 1.5 million years ago to protect bodies from ultra­violet rays of the sun (太阳光紫外线), which can cause skin cancer.

　　But when modern humans leave Africa to live in northern latitudes, they need more sunlight on their skin to produce vitamin D. So the related gene changes, according to Cheng.

　　Asians have the same version of the gene as Africans, so they probably acquired their light skin through the action of some other gene that affects skin color, said Cheng.

　　The new discovery could lead to medical treatments for skin cancer. It also could lead to research into ways to change skin color without damaging it like chemical treatment did on Michael Jackson.

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