Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

People Reveal How They Lost The Genetic Lottery

Make us preferred on Google

We can't all be so lucky. There are instances where our parents and grandparents and great-grandparents were just more fortunate than us. Sometimes our DNA fails us, which sucks. But what can you do, right?

leclair63 asked: In what ways did you lose the genetic lottery?


At least they have other things going for them.

"I have Ahler's Danlos syndrome but not the fun stretchy skin way. My tendons are longer than normal so my joints can overextend and dislocate easily leaving me with shitty joints at 25.

I also have a problem with boils and acne in general. I get pimples everywhere from my eyebrows to my chest and back to the inside of my groin muscle.

Brittle teeth from my mother's side has guaranteed that no matter how well I take care of my teeth something can always go wrong.

Dad also gave me his terrible sex drive so that's fun.

Got short stumpy legs from my mom's side of the family. I look like a vending machine on stumps.

But hey at least I have perfect eyesight, thick hair and natural strength."

leclair63

Weird genetics.

Giphy

"I have the most paper thin nails on the face of the planet.

I've never been able to grow them out on my own and I've tried everything from vitamin supplements to growth polishes."

Smtxflhi

That's unlucky.

"I get to have the balding gene on top of all the crap cancer has brought on me.

Of all the things I thought I'd be, bald was not one of them."

[deleted]

Not the worst thing in the world.

"I can't really grow facial hair so the option's never really there if I ever wanted to try it out. It always grows in patchy and just makes me look unkept.

Other than that, I actually hit a real genetic lottery. I'm not gorgeous but I'm at least above average, phenomenal metabolism runs in my family, balding doesn't, and overall, I'm pretty lucky."

Swankified_Tristan

Ew.

Giphy

"Everyone on my moms side regularly chokes on their own spit, a trait which I inherited."

UnhingedGoose

Math checks out.

"My mother is bottom heavy. My father is top heavy. My sister is neither.

I'll let you deduce this one."

SimplyJubilant

Must be tough.

"My father has lots of allergies to things outdoors, my mom has multiple food allergies.

I inherited both. My brother inherited neither."

arcant12

Bad eyes.

Giphy

"Left eye is permanently looking towards nose. Needs glasses and my right eye has bad vision."

DictatorShadow

That's a lot.

"My family has a history of depression. Both my kneecaps are/were loose before surgery. I will either go bald or grey by the age of 40. I didn't even inherit the ability to grow a proper beard. I have a mismatched bulky body and skinny limbs.

Life is good."

Fiery11

Pick your poison.

"My mum and grandad both died from cancer in their 50's but my grandma is still going strong in her 90's and her side of the family tends to live pretty long.

Dad's side of the family have heart issues but that probably stems from the fact they were working class in the mid 20th century and eating tinned food every meal.

No idea how I'll turn out though."

damp_s

More from Trending/best-of-reddit

Mark Ruffalo
Hoda Davaine/Getty Images

Mark Ruffalo Hits Back After Paramount Accuses Him Of Antisemitism Over His Merger Criticism

Actor and activist Mark Ruffalo has been speaking out for months about the proposed $110 billion merger between Paramount Skydance and Warner Bros Discovery. Like most critics, his concern lies with the loss of jobs, who would control the merged media giant, and the consolidation of media into an ever shrinking sphere of influence.

In August 2025, Skydance Media founder David Ellison, using his tech billionaire Oracle co-founder father Larry's wealth and influence, completed an $8 billion merger with Paramount. Installed as the Paramount Skydance CEO, the younger Ellison then set his sights on Warner Bros Discovery.

Keep Reading Show less
Hayden Panettiere attends amfAR Gala Los Angeles 2022 at Pacific Design Center.
Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images

Neutrogena Hit With Backlash After Finally Addressing Controversy Over Cutting Ties With Hayden Panettiere For Speaking Out About Postpartum Depression

For nearly a decade, Hayden Panettiere was closely associated with Neutrogena. Now, following her death, the brand’s treatment of the actor is back in the spotlight. The Heroes star died on August 16, 2026, at age 36 after being found unresponsive in cardiac arrest, with her cause of death still under investigation.

Panettiere worked with Neutrogena from 2005 to 2015 before the longtime partnership ended. Years later, she shed light on what happened behind the scenes. During a May 2026 appearance on On Purpose with Jay Shetty, Panettiere revealed that Neutrogena dropped her after she spoke publicly about postpartum depression.

Keep Reading Show less
Bryan Randall and Sandra Bullock
Jackson Lee/GC Images/Getty Images

Sandra Bullock Poignantly Opens Up About Losing Her Longtime Partner Three Years After His Death From ALS

With the return of Practical Magic, Sandra Bullock is stepping back into the spotlight after several years of silence—though she's only now beginning to share with the general public what made her step away in the first place.

While guest-starring on the SmartLess podcast, Bullock opened up to hosts Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes, and Will Arnett about her longtime partner's illness and the impact it had on her and her children.

Keep Reading Show less
John Ritter and Jason Ritter during 2003 Sundance Film Festival - "Manhood" Premiere.
Clayton Chase/WireImage

Jason Ritter Opens Up About Seeing Most 'Beautiful Sunsets' Right After Dad John Died In Poignant New Interview

More than two decades have passed since John Ritter died unexpectedly, leaving his family to navigate a loss that Jason Ritter is still reflecting on today.

During a recent appearance on Joy 101 with Hoda Kotb, Jason Ritter, 46, talked about the surreal weeks and months that followed his dad’s death. As Jason recalled, “It felt like the world was upside down.”

Keep Reading Show less
A close up of Shirley MacLaine.
Amanda Edwards / Contributor/Getty Images

Shirley MacLaine Just Made A Rare Appearance At 92 To Promote A Screening Of 'Sweet Charity'—And Fans Are Loving It

One has to have a pretty impressive résumé or pedigree to be deemed a "legend." But few would argue that Academy Award Winner Shirley MacLaine is, indeed, a legend of the silver screen.

After being discovered by a Hollywood producer as an understudy in the Broadway musical The Pajama Game, MacLaine launched to almost instant Hollywood stardom after appearing in Alfred Hitchcock's The Trouble With Harry, going on to a prolific, almost 70-year career.

Keep Reading Show less