Why Some People Don't Have Fingerprints

sciencehabit writes "A small number of people in the world don't have fingerprints. The condition is known as adermatoglyphia, and one scientist has dubbed it the 'immigration delay disease' because sufferers have such a hard time entering foreign countries. In addition to smooth fingertips, they also produce less hand sweat than the average person. Now researchers have identified the genetic mutation behind the condition (abstract)."

Comments

What countries?

[zget]

What countries need fingerprints to enter? I've traveled in Asia and pretty much every shithole in earth and have never needed to give my fingerprint.

Re:What countries?

[shadowrat]

I'm from the US and i know when i first entered i had to provide my foot prints. I'm not sure if those are on file anywhere other than my mom's house though.