[HPforGrownups] Genetics in the wizarding world. Is wizarding a genetic or recessive trait?

[manawydan]

No: HPFGUIDX 100573

bookworm wrote:
>If Filch is a Squib who can't do magic, for instance, as noted in
>the book, how can he talk to his magical cat Mrs. Norris? Did I miss
>some reference in the book? Is he just a very weak wizard who didn't
>have enough talent to be trained at Hogwarts?

Although I'm no geneticist, it does seem to me that the (admittedly few)
Squibs we've encountered have certain abilities over and above those of
ordinary Muggles. As you rightly say, communication with cats seems to be
one of them. An ability to perceive the magical world seems to be another
(Mrs Figg can see the dementors, Filch can use the Room of Requirement and
circumnavigate Hogwarts). Which in turn suggests that there are actually
_three_ types of human beings in the Potterverse, rather than two.

>My working theory is that wizarding must be a recessive gene and the
>non-magic gene is dominant. The so called "pure blood" families,
>like the Weasleys or the Blacks, all have members who carry only
>wizarding genes. There's no taint of Muggle blood.

Probably is if you go back far enough, no one would have bothered about
their bloodlines when humans lived in caves!

One interesting point is that it _seems_ that in a mixed relationship, the
children are more likely to be born with the wizarding gene than without.

Cheers

Ffred

O Benryn wleth hyd Luch Reon
Cymru yn unfryd gerhyd Wrion
Gwret dy Cymry yghymeiri