is it true there is a gene that allows people to smell asparagus in urine?

Answer 1

There are several gene products required to notice the foul smell in urine after eating asparagus. You must have the enzymes to make the offensive molecule and you need the olfactory receptors to detect the molecule.

The odor of urine after eating asparagus is due to the volatile sulfur-containing compound methanethiol. A study of 800 volunteers in 1987 reported that 43% produced a smell similar to rotten or boiling cabbage after eating asparagus.

Just because you don't smell anything foul in your urine after eating asparagus does not mean your urine doesn't stink. There are polymorphisms (variations in a trait) in the human population for the ability to smell that compound. Some people are not able to detect it while others are hypersensitive and are able to smell the compound even when diluted.

Answer 2

I thought it was a chemical that 70% of the population produces, that reacts with a chemical in asparagus. Not everyone's urine smells bad, just most.

Answer 3

Only One percent of people can smell asparagus in urine..

The other 99% are LIARS.

Yeeccch!

Answer 4

everybody that eats asparagus has a strong smelling urine after
even animals
dont know about any genes

Answer 5

a minimum of a cow has of venture to run away, yet you need to slaughter the adverse old asparagus, who's only caught there interior the floor and would not stand of venture. butcher! i say. on a extreme be conscious, take a diet b complicated and you get glow at nighttime pee, lol

Answer 6

Firstly, Asparagus sucks.
Secondly, who goes around sniffin urine? Well if it was your job i guess you would. In that case, what self respecting scieney type person would do that kind of research?

Answer 7

Umm ... I don't think I would care about something like that ...

I dont usually smell other ppl's pee but ok, whatev ...

Answer 8

you dont need a gene for it, its pretty obvious