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If you could become a tetrachromat, would you? (or any other genetic super-ability)

Asked by PhiNotPi (12681points) April 14th, 2012

Tetrachromacy is a rare genetic condition where a person has four different types of cone cells (the color detecting cells) instead of the normal three. It’s like the opposite of colorblindness—tetrachromats can see up to ten distinct colors in the rainbow, while the rest of us see seven or fewer. They can describe many colors in what most people would only see as one shade of beige.

There are a few disadvantages. The standard “color wheel” approach to color perception no longer works, and computer/TV screens will be incapable of matching any specific color. Different sections of a painted wall may appear to be different colors.

A supertaster is a person with a highly sensitive sense of taste. They can tell the difference between a wider variety of flavors. One downside is that they often perceive things to be more bitter.

Of course there are probably much more that I haven’t described. Is there any genetic “super-ability” that you would like?

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