Scientists have revealed the secret to growing taller, offering hope that new treatments could be developed for children with growth disorders.
A single gene can add up to an inch to a person’s height – explaining why some people are well over six foot while others are much shorter.
Scientists have found dozens of rare mutations that decide how tall we are – elucidating why humans are so different from one another.
The findings, published in the journal Nature, mean researchers now know more than a quarter of the genes connected with height.
About 700 common mutations have been associated with differences in height but most account for less than 1mm.
The analysis of more than 700,000 people from all over the world focused on unusual ones that can add up to 2cm (0.8 of an inch) to an individual – more than 10 times the average effect of previously discovered variants.
Height is mostly determined in our DNA – children from tall parents tend to grow up to be taller, and those from short parents are shorter.
One gene, STC2, makes a protein that limits growth. Future medicines could nullify its effect, say the experts from Queen Mary, University of London and Exeter university.
The breakthrough could also lead to new treatments for growth disorders – as well as a host of other conditions, including heart disease, cancer and diabetes.
