Squibs have genes to do magic?

[Steve]

No: HPFGUIDX 146452

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, Bart Lidofsky <bartl at s...> wrote:
>
> Jazmyn Concolor wrote:
> > JK's idea simply does not work. If Wizard genes were always 
> > dominant, there would be NO squibs born to purebred families.
> 
> Bart:
> Would two genes needing to interact with each other work?
> 
> Bart
>

bboyminn:

I think we are looking at the genetic aspect a little too closely. If
there ever was an area that needed to be generalized, this is probably it.

So, let's ask ourselves from a more practical stand point if it is
possible for a genius or a retarded person to occur in a family of
people with normal intelligence? It would seem that both these event
do occur.

In a sense, I see magic as a form of genius, although I admit that's
not a perfect illustration. Once genius occurs in a family, it is more
likely that the children of that genius will also be geniuses. I think
that is the model JKR is refering to when she says that magic is
'dominant and resilient'. She is saying that once magic assets itself,
it is most likely to occur in the children of magic people. It's not
all pure random chance. 

Another example, the children of two blonds are most likely to have
blond hair, but that doesn't eleminate the possibility of some of
their children having brown hair. So, in a general sense, the obvious
aspects of genetics don't hold true. On a superficial level apparent
genetics are filled with deviation. Two small people produce a large
strapping son. Two people of moderate appearance produce an off-spring
of exceptional beauty. Again, my point here is what seems to be
obvious genetics, doesn't alway hold true. Deviations from the obvious
do hold true.

On the other hand, more often, big parents produce big kids. Blond
parents produce blond kids. Magic parents produce magic kids, accept
for the rare deviation that produces a Squib. But, in a sense, a Squib
is like a retarted kid; it happens, but unless there is an extremely
high genetic predisposition, it is a rare occurance. 

Just as it is possible for ordinary parents to produce an
extraordinary genius of a kid, it is possible for muggles to produce a
magic person. Most likely this is either random chance, or there is
some magical genetics lurking in their past that had been dormant for
a several generation.

>From one perspective, we all have the genes necessary for genius, it
is just a matter of whether they are switched on or not.  We all have
the genes for many diseases the plague mankind, but in most of us,
those genes are not switched on. 

So, while I may not know the details of clinical genetics, it seems
that there is some reasonable foundation in a more general view of
genetics for these things to occur.

Just a few thoughts.

Steve/bboyminn