[mikebob]

I was taught about this gene a while back (during my developmental biology days). The sonic hedgehog (ssh) gene controls development of various limbs, including facial development. As explained by a few of the other posters, a defective ssh gene would prevent the proper development of the eyes and placement of nose. Interestingly, just as the ssh gene allows for the nose 'cells' to divide the eye cells into two separate areas, the same gene controls for the formation of the two hemispheres of the brain. In this respect, the mutant baby would only have a single hemisphere and completely lack a variety of other neurological structures. This includes those that control for homeostasis (i.e. body temperature etc), memory, speech, and personality to name a few.

In short, if it AINT dead, its a vegetable.

[maplewood]

Yea his nose is in the wrong place but did any one of you see his eye??????????? not one word about it. thats whats crazy to me......... nice post.

[elitexhunting999]

AWWWWWW MAN

[beeptwatclick]

aww its actually kind of cute :D

[beccatheeditor]

These babies don't survive... like mikebob said, the failure of the eyes to separate is a part of a defect that goes all the way back into the skull and causes brain development to go totally awry. The condition is called holoprosencephaly. It is actually a spectrum... some people are basically normal except that they have one front tooth instead of two... others end up looking like this kiddo. Can be genetic or random... one of the most common causes is Trisomy 18 or 13 (extra copy of that gene; trisomy 21 is Down Syndrome).

[elizajane]

Is it a nose?

[Roomy_]

But it looks so funny..

[nightinggale]

Thats sad when that happens...genetic defects like that.

I feel bad for his parents, probably expecting a healthy little baby and getting one who couldn't even survive or be made healthy.

[Jigsaw]

age of mythology??

Deformidades Congenitas al Nacer Pobre chaval

Nice Pic

Good Vibrations

[Gojira]

its fake