BY: VALERIE ANN DISMAYA
When we enter offices or unlock our phones, we often use fingerprint scanners.
The same goes for bank transactions and immigration checks.
More and more people rely on biometrics for security and identification.
But did you know that some people can never use this technology because they don’t have fingerprints?
The absence of fingerprints is due to a very rare genetic condition called adermatoglyphia.
This is a condition where a person has little to no fingerprint patterns on their fingers.
Most people with this condition are born without fingerprints, and they do not develop them as they grow older.
Adermatoglyphia was discovered in 2007 when Swiss dermatologist Dr. Peter Itin conducted a study.
He found a family in Switzerland with this condition, and his research revealed that it is caused by a mutation in the SMARCAD1 gene.
This gene is part of our DNA, responsible for fingerprint formation, DNA repair, and chromatin organization.
Since then, further studies have been conducted to understand the genetic basis of this condition.
But why does this happen?
Aside from genetics, some people may lose their fingerprints due to skin conditions such as eczema or psoriasis, severe skin damage from chemicals, or aging.
Some patients undergoing chemotherapy or certain medications may also experience fingerprint loss as a side effect.
Because of these challenges, experts continue to develop alternative biometric systems such as face recognition, iris scanning, and palm vein scanning.
These technologies are crucial in ensuring that everyone has clear records and access to essential services.
