[HPforGrownups] Magic as a Virus?

[Bart Lidofsky]

No: HPFGUIDX 168098

Janette wrote:
montims:
> Why need it be a virus?  Why not an evolutionary trait, such as music for
> example?  Some people are born natural musicians, some have an ability but
> need to be trained, and others are tone deaf.  The same with artists, poets,
> and other seemingly unnecessary human traits which nevertheless are
> essential to the human condition.  

	Because those traits are not closely connected to genes. Magic is. And 
it doesn't follow normal genetics:

W + W = almost always W
W + M = W, as often as W + W (or not significantly different)
M + M = very, very, rarely W (but note this is an extremely low 
percentage; in absolute numbers, there appear to be more M-born W's than 
squibs).

	The virus explanation works if the resistance to the virus is a 
recessive gene. This means that a squib is a W-born with a mutation. It 
is quite possible that many, if not all, the muggle-born have squib 
blood on both sides of their families, and the recessive just showed up. 
And if the virus is very difficult to get (like HIV, for example), there 
may be many with magical potential who never realize it. For example, 
there are even babies born of HIV positive mothers who are HIV negative. 
This would explain, for example, a squib who suddenly shows magical 
ability, especially if they had a blood->blood contact with a wizard or 
an immune muggle.

	Bart


	Bart