Red Eyes (trait)
Red Eyes, known locally as "Oyos Roujes", is a physical trait statistically frequent among the population of Inyursta.
People with the trait are described as having quote "hazel eyes with a strong ruby tint", rather than cartoonish glowing red eyes. Scientists have determined that the red-eyed trait is actually not caused by pigment the iris, but actually in either the pupil or the fundus, where red-eyed people are technically amber or hazel-eyed but reflect light differently, thus causing a "red" hue. The trait is most common in southern and central Marindino, but still present in almost every province to some degree.
Origin
The origin of the red-eyed trait is highly disputed. It is noted that red-eyed individuals exist outside of the country, albiet in extremely small and insignificant frequencies.
Single Ancestor Theory
Many scientists believe a single ancestor is responsible for the trait, noting that records of red-eyed individuals did not show up until 1852, and have increased exponentially since. However, critics argue that many who posses the trait today have absolutely no familial relations with other segments of the population, and that using historical records as a basis can be highly inaccurate.
Distant Allele Mixing Theory
Another major theory proposed is that the eye color comes from an extremely unlikely mixture of genes. This theory states that a baseline allele sequence tied to certain regions of Catalonia and Occitanie mixed with a specific allele sequence tied specifically to the Coacuendo Peoples and created the "red eye" phenotype. The heavy correlation of red eyes with individuals sharing both heritages supports this theory, although no specific genes have been identified and proven to cause the trait.
Urban legend says the amount of copper in Inyursta's waters causes the red eyes; but this theory is widely rejected and disproven.
Frequency
The Red Eye trait occurs in roughly 3.3 - 4.5% of the Inyurstan population, approximately 7.6 million to 10.4 million people; as reported in a study by Univeristé National de Jacques Duvalier. However, the Departément National de Salúdé y Bienèrais (NDHW) reports that over five million people self-identify as having red-eye color on official government identification forms. The discrepancy is believed to be due to people with amber or copper shades of light-brown eyes considering themselves red-eyed.
Miscellaneous Facts
The NIS bars individuals with red eyes from serving in undercover or other clandestine field operations abroad, due to the association of the trait with Inyurstan nationality and additional risks regarding the use of colored contacts.
Captured Black Skulls Cartel boss Juan Diego Lafous claimed to authorities and reporters that the price of a red-eyed woman or girl on the white slave market was on average over $7.5 million USD a head.
Foreign Reactions
The red-eyed trait is responsible for a number of propaganda myths and conspiracy theories abroad. State media in the Arab-Afruikahn country of Bashriyya claim that the red eyes are both simultaneously the result of pollution/poisoning and also that it derives from Inyurstans being demon-hybrids descended from Shaytan.
At least once record exists wherein a woman was lynched in the Lollohian state of Wesselania when her newborn child was born with red eyes, due to her assumed infidelity with an invading Inyurstan soldier. Similar to the fate of infants of Ruol and Ontorisian descent, the child was subject to a "fourth trimester abortion" in the eyes of the Lollohian law. This is the same locality where several Inyurstan soldiers are accused of war crimes for gunning down a crowd of Lollohian men; whether or not the incidents are related is yet unresolved.
Famous People
A number of famous Inyurstans posesses this uncommon physical trait:
Subprésidente Sabio Bouganville
Admirale Victoria de la Vincia
Captain Ariela Robán
Actress Ofelía Lafitte
