Larry and Danny Gomez, two boys known as "Wolf Boys," have made the circus their adoptive family. Both boys perform as trampoline acrobats, and Danny also does motorcycle stunts. The boys have a condition called congenital hypertrichosis (CH), which is a very rare X-linked dominant inherited condition. CH is characterized by the growth of dark hair over the body, particularly on the face and upper torso in males. The palms of the hands, soles of the feet, and mucus membranes are not affected by this condition. A press release about the circus stated that Larry and Danny have travelled to many countries in search of a cure. When asked about the search for a cure in an interview by David Staples of The Edmonton Journal (May 14, 1997) Larry said, "I'd never take it off. I'm very proud to be who I am." Outside the circus, the boys enjoy activities typical of most boys their age. Danny likes to play video and board games, and Larry is interested in science and is taking astronomy by correspondence. Researchers continue to investigate the process of hair growth and the causes of hair distribution at the molecular level. The relevant molecules are expected to act on hair follicles Hair follicle distribution in humans is primarily a hormone-dependent secondary sex characteristic. In addition to searching for a cure for CH, research in this area may also have significant applications in the treatment of acquired or inherited baldness. The incidence of CH is very rare: only about 50 affected individuals have been reported since the Middle Ages. The incidence of this condition is considerably higher in a small Mexican village than it is in the rest of the human population. In 1984, researcher Macias-Flores studied CH in a large, five-generation Mexican family and found 19 individuals with CH. A partial pedigree showing the sampled individuals from the Macias-Flores study is shown below. I 1 2 33 5 23 9 10 112 13 14 5 IV 2 3 4 8 9 5 7 -from Staples, 1997, and Figuera et al., 1995