Harry Potter genetics

[Jenny]

No: HPFGUIDX 144253

> --La Gatta:
> Although creationists can make the case that we're all 
> related if you go back far enough <snips some amusing 
> remarks on marrying cousins and other stuff>

Setting aside the religious argument entirely, there is hard scientific evidence that everyone in the world is related to 
one another if you go back far enough.  A fascinating book 
called "The Seven Daughters of Eve"
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0393323145 details the 
writer's scientific study of mitochondria dna.  To quote: 
"Unlike the DNA in the chromosomes of the nucleus, which is 
inherited from both parents, everyone gets their mitochondria 
dna from only one parent - their mother."  The rate of 
mutation for mitochondria dna sets the "common mitochondrial 
ancestor for ALL modern humans" at around 150,000 years ago.

I can guess that genetics have been discussed in relation to 
Harry Potter, but since I emerged out of "no mail" mode quite 
recently I'd be interested if anyone wants to discuss again.  

Perhaps Homo sapiens ability to do magic let them far out-
compete their Homo erectus bretheren in their dragon/unicorn/acromantula/dementor/etc infested world.  Or 
perhaps Homo sapiens' magical ability caused some creatures 
to develop magical abilities themselves to defend against 
overhunting and extinction.  

But where and how would the "magic" gene originate?  In 
anything?  I suppose it's a little like the evolution of sight 
question - how can you see without a fully formed eye?  How 
can you use magic without a fully formed magical ability 
(regardless of how weak it might be *cough*Neville*cough*.)  

Perhaps any cell which could sense or create magic would be 
useful to the original creature it evolved in.  The better the 
creature could sense or create magic, the more competitive
edge it would have.  I can just see an early Homo sapien 
hunting, and just as the creature they're chasing is about to 
escape he wishes it would trip - and it does.  Or perhaps 
someone is gathering fruit but the best is far out of reach and 
perhaps he wishes it would just fall - and it does.  Or perhaps 
an early Homo sapien suddenly senses an acromantula is stalking 
her, and she knows to run and hide...  

Perhaps the magic genes are slightly toxic or cancerous, and the 
unstable genes lead to the evolution of the many human-variant 
creatures, like gnomes, leprechauns, banshees, giants, hags, 
etc.  I'd love to know what others think of evolution in the 
context of the magical Harry Potter world.

Jenny