People afflicted with a pair of rare genetic disorders – Naegeli syndrome and dermatopathia pigmentosa reticularis – are born without fingerprints, and never develop them. The lack of fingerprints doesn’t alter the sense of touch in their fingers, but it does reduce their ability to grip (making turning pages, for example, something of a challenge). The pair of disorders is often accompanied by problems with hair, skin, and teeth. Also, people with the disorders are not always able to sweat normally, putting them at risk for heat stroke as a result of the mildest exercise.
(Source: National Geographic and Discover Magazine)
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