White Melanin?

[DuraGizer]

Hi, guys.

I'm in the process of writing up my own little fictional universe (no, I haven't written any stories or anything; it's all just half-formed ideas floating around in my head right now), and one of the races I've created for my world is a species that branched off from the human race; this race isn't largely different from mainline Homo Sapiens, but they've all got bright red hair and eyes and perfectly pure, white skin. Now, I'm not keen on them being albinos; I'm thinking they do have pigment in their skin, and it works just the same as regular melanin, except it's white instead of brown.

Now, I'm wondering if white melanin is at all feasible. Is it potentially possible for white melanin to evolve, or is there something about the chemical composition that makes the very concept impossible.

Thanks in advance for your answers.

[USIncognito]

I'd say yes.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melanin
Down in the Eumelanin/Pheomelain section. You'd just need to have melanocytes that produce an eggshell colored melanin.

[lilpixieofterror]

Hi, guys.

I'm in the process of writing up my own little fictional universe (no, I haven't written any stories or anything; it's all just half-formed ideas floating around in my head right now), and one of the races I've created for my world is a species that branched off from the human race; this race isn't largely different from mainline Homo Sapiens, but they've all got bright red hair and eyes and perfectly pure, white skin. Now, I'm not keen on them being albinos; I'm thinking they do have pigment in their skin, and it works just the same as regular melanin, except it's white instead of brown.

Now, I'm wondering if white melanin is at all feasible. Is it potentially possible for white melanin to evolve, or is there something about the chemical composition that makes the very concept impossible.

Thanks in advance for your answers.

I don't think people running around with lightsabers is feasible in reality, but who cares? It is a story, it doesn't have to be 100% scientifically accurate.

[DuraGizer]

^Yeah, I know. But I like to make the impossible as probable as possible in my work.

[lilpixieofterror]

^Yeah, I know. But I like to make the impossible as probable as possible in my work.

The details are fun, just don't get too wrapped up in trying to make everything as scientifically accurate as possible. Every story takes some creative license after all, Star Trek would not be much fun without Warp drive. Who would want to wait centuries to get to the next star system for your next adventure?

[Tiggy]

Hi, guys.

I'm in the process of writing up my own little fictional universe (no, I haven't written any stories or anything; it's all just half-formed ideas floating around in my head right now), and one of the races I've created for my world is a species that branched off from the human race; this race isn't largely different from mainline Homo Sapiens, but they've all got bright red hair and eyes and perfectly pure, white skin. Now, I'm not keen on them being albinos; I'm thinking they do have pigment in their skin, and it works just the same as regular melanin, except it's white instead of brown.

Sounds a lot like the Eloi to me.

- T

[DuraGizer]

I've never actually read The Time Machine. I really should check to see if my local library has a copy, though, and give it a read.