Harry Potter genetics

[lagattalucianese]

No: HPFGUIDX 145380

> 
> 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
>
I love this idea, and I'm sorry I haven't responded to it sooner. 
_The Seven Daughters of Eve_ is on my book club's long list; I'll 
push to see that we read it. I really like the idea that we're all 
cousins under the skin.

I also love your theory of unstable "mutant" magic genes, though I 
think hagness is more of a psychological thing, like Snapeness <veg>, 
and not the result of genetic influences.

Magical Purrs!

--La Gatta