Pre discussion questions

How do you feel about your hair going a grey color?

What would you do to stop it going grey? Would you like to have  drug to stop the problem?

Grey hair has been thought of in a bad way because it shows we are getting old.

People have tried to hide their grey hair. Shampoo companies have made a lot of money from people wanting to stop their hair turning grey. Hair color companies too. And also there have been a lot of untrue stories.

But in the future people will have more hope to not have grey hair. British scientists have found the gene that causes grey hair. They are sure that it will be possible to make drugs or cosmetics to stop hair becoming grey.

Grey hair happens because of depletion of melanin. Melanin causes the color in hair, skin and eyes.

Scientists already know about the gene called IRF4. This gene is crucial for hair color. Researchers at University College London have now, for the first time, linked that gene to changing or losing color.

"This is the first time a gene for making hair grey has been found in humans," said the research Doctor at UCL's biology department.

What they have found could mean changes in cosmetics. Stopping grey hair may be possible and even making grey hair go back to its original color might also be possible.

The team analyzed DNA from more than 6,600 people in Brazil, Colombia, Chile, Mexico and Peru. Also people of European, native American and African family history. Having these different types of people for the research meant they had a big variety in types of hair.

The traits that we can see from each person were compared to analysis of their DNA. They did this to see what genes caused grey hair.

The results could mean we are able to change our hair color without dyes. Maybe we could take some pill that will turn blonde hair into brown hair. Or even making brown eyes blue.

The information could help police make a profile from a person’s genetic code. For example it could show that the criminal had curly hair.

Since all of history, people have looked for ways to stop grey hair.

 Here are a few of the remedies.

Ti root: a plant from China. It is said that a 9th century villager got his black hair back using this plant and kept it until he died at 130.

• Fingertip rubbing: it is said in India that rubbing the fingertips together stimulates blood to the head and this reduces grey hair.

• Magnetized water: A US chemical engineer claimed that drinking magnetized water turned his grey hair dark again.

• Onion juice: put on the head. It is said to stop hair going grey. And stop people going bald too.

• Some special teas.

Try to guess the meaning of the words in bold and match them with their closest meaning from the choices in the right. Some of the answers are very close and have similar meaning. The meaning of these words is how they are used in the reading. Some of these words have different meanings in the dictionary depending on how they are used.

 The answers are below the table.

A=5, B=1, C=8, D=2, E=7, F=6, G=3, H=4

Some example sentences using the new words or phrases from the meaning of how they are used in the reading to help you understand better.

1. Too many people means that the Earth is depleting its resources.

2. If you want to get an A+, it is crucial that you study hard.

3. His name was the same as the criminal, so he was linked to the crime.

4. You need to analyze this formula carefully to understand the math.

5. The common trait in our family is that we all laugh the same way.

6. A common profile of a person from Gangnam is to have a lot of money and drive and expensive car.

7. This drug will remedy your cold and you will feel better in a few days.

8. The book was stimulating and made me want to do more.

    

    

Some questions using the new words/phrases. Try to use the words/phrases in your answer.

1. How would you feel if the color of your hair started to deplete?

2. For you, is it crucial to not have grey hair? Why or why not?

3. Do you agree that grey hair is linked to our genes? Do you think it could be linked to other reasons? Do you think other things besides genes, stimulate grey hair?

4. What is your analysis of today’s story?

5. Describe the traits of people who have grey hair.

6. How do you feel that one day police could profile someone from the genes?

7. What remedies would you use, or do you use, for grey hair? How do you feel about using hair dye as a remedy for grey hair?