History Main / MagicGenetics

** This also doubles as HollywoodGenetics, since the gene is clearly defined as "dominant", but dominant genes cannot skip generations and squibs are much rarer than they should be.

* Most mutants in ''{{X-Men}}'' such as Storm have the ability to use physically impossible powers as a result of their mutation. [[DependingOnTheWriter Sometimes]], they all come from a mutation of ''a single gene''.

Genetically-based PsychicPowers are automatically a subtrope of this, as are any WitchSpecies.

*** StarOceanTheSecondStory: The main villains were a group of people who were granted god-like powers above the normal magic available to their species in order to take over the universe.

* Averted well in ''MassEffect''. Gene therapy is standard issue for soldiers and provided free for citizens by most governments, resulting in widespread perfect vision and hearing, robust immune systems, and a near elimination of genetic disorders in industrialized areas. Only modest physical enhancements are available however, with 8%-12% increases in adrenal response, clotting speed, and muscle retention etc. considered state of the art.
** Played straight with the Asari. Somehow, this all female species is able to use their sexual partner's genes to scramble their own genes in reproduction. Their partner's species and gender is irrelevant. They don't sample the partner and blend, like all sexually reproducing creatures known, but use their partner as a random number generator. And, no, genetics doesn't work that way. To top it all off, unless they share an origin, there is no reason to believe beings from different planets should use the same molecule for their genome. Even on earth, DNA, RNA, and some other odd things are used for genetic material. Lucky for the asari, apparently everything in the galaxy has DNA. The game does hint there may be a common origin, however.

* According to WordOfGod, Magyk in ''SeptimusHeap'' has a genetic basis, which is why Princess Jenna has no Magykal powers, unlike her adopted siblings. [[spoiler: Averted when Jenna is made into a witch in ''Darke'']].

* GURPS Bio-tech has a section on magical genetic engineering. Along with replicating scientific possibilities, it allows genengineering ability to cast any spell into a not-yet-born child. It is cheaper than making a ordinary magical item, but risks making a PhlebotinumRebel .

Many writers [[DidNotDoTheResearch don't know]] (or [[WillingSuspensionOfDisbelief deliberately ignore]]) that genes are only responsible for protein synthesis. This is when said writers give genes the ability to alter the very laws of physics (or other universal laws) - or at least the ability to do things that would be impossible for a human. LegoGenetics is often involved, as well.

* [[WordOfGod J.K. Rowling]] has stated that there was a Magic Gene involved in wizarding capabilities. This gene could also be present in other magical species. It can remain in a bloodline for generations before manifesting in muggleborns. The inverse is also the reason for squibs.

Some types of superpowers being caused by genetics are plausible. SuperStrength could be from extra muscle mass or more efficient contractile cells (but you still won't be strong enough to bend girders bare-handed), low-level SuperSpeed would be a snap as natural human neural impulses and reaction time are notoriously sluggish (slower than sound, in fact) and could easily be sped up by increasing conductivity, claws could be some sort of bone growth or modified keratin, and there are animals that use electricity as a weapon, can [[RubberMan stretch and distort their bodies]], or have a HealingFactor or SuperSenses. While you can't become an InvisibleMan, chromatophores in the skin could give you super-camouflage. Etc.

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* I don't suppose HarryPotter would be mentionable? Mrs. Rowling has stated that there was a Magic Gene involved in wizarding capabilities. If you think about it, that gene could code in for a certain protein or RNA molecule which could alter brain functions to being capable of warping reality. Like the Noosphere idea used in S.T.A.L.K.E.R. or HaruhiSuzumiya, just to a much much milder extent.

** Played straight in that the universe's [[AppliedPhlebotinum Applied Phlebotinum]] in the form of the titular Mass Effect is controlled by genetically predisposed individuals, some of whom undergo gene therapy and conditioning to increase their skills.

*** StarOceanTheLastHope: Following WorldWarIII, three human babies were modified to survive in harsh and irriadiated enviroments, and gained magical powers in the process.

* SkulduggeryPleasant has magic running in families, to the extent at least one particular type from a particular set of ancestors apparantly manifests 'in the blood' so to speak.

If the writer wants to [[MohsScaleOfSciFiHardness firm up the science]], they might say that the genes merely construct nanoscale AppliedPhlebotinum in your cells which acts on "[[MinovskyParticle quantum forces not yet discovered]]" or some other HandWave, but it's still really FunctionalMagic given a [[DoingInTheWizard pseudoscience gloss-over]].

* Certain mutants in ''{{X-Men}}'' such as Storm have the ability to use physically impossible powers as a result of their mutation.
** "Certain"? Let's rather say a ''huge'' part of them. The X-Men are the poster children of this trope.
*** You forgot the best part: ''every single member of the mutant species'' get their powers from different alleles of the same gene. '''One. Gene.'''
**** Albeit, one gene put there by [[SufficientlyAdvancedAliens The Celestials]].
*** "The x-gene always sits on chromosome 23, and uses an exotic protein to send chemical signals to the other genes, which mutates them." So sayeth Beast, in ''Astonishing X-Men'' #25
*** Eh? Didn't Beast say in the ''House of M'' storyline that there wasn't one single gene to look for when Hank Pym wanted to conduct experiments to find it?
** The exact details change greatly DependingOnTheWriter and by decade. There's no in-universe consistency about the X-Factor, whether it's one gene or an [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emergent_property emergent property]] of many.
*** It is possible that the [[{{Precursors}} Celestials]] implanted ''all but one'' of the genes necessary for super-powers in humans; The Dreaming Celestial is said to have sabotaged the project, perhaps leaving a gap that was eventually filled by natural mutation. Like genetic Mad Libs!
* Certain villains in ''Comicbook/{{Spider-Man}}'' also have these kinds of abilities.
** Spider-Man himself ''sort of'' doesn't count as he literally "does what ever a spider can..."
*** He's still victim to the square-cube law though, making this apply in a different way. Proportionally, a spider increased to the size of a human wouldn't be able to do half the things he does (especially the heavy lifting). In fact, a human-sized spider would be a good lot ''weaker'' than a regular human, because exoskeletons and hydraulic muscles just don't work at all well on our scale. Humans are actually surprisingly buff for their weight class, when you get right down to it.
*** He has the ''proportional'' strength of a normal spider, not the strength of giant spider.
** SpiderSense, though? Pure PsychicPowers.
* Attempted to be [[JustifiedTrope Justified]] in ''UltimateFantasticFour'', at least with Mr. Fantastic and the Human Torch. Johnny's powers come from his skin cells emitting a gas which combusts in the presence of oxygen (a ShoutOut to the original Human Torch), as well as [[RequiredSecondaryPowers his skin cells protecting himself from his own flame]]. Reed is able to stretch and not crush his organs because all he has in the way of organs is a colony of symbiotic bacteria who take in food and air and give his body nutrition. Their origin is [[JustifiedTrope justified]] as well now too, as their powers are not from cosmic radiation anymore, but rather from swapping bodies with a double from another universe. He should just pray he'll never catch a disease that requires treatment with antibiotics...
** No, Johnny's poweres are actually described as ''nuclear fusion'' using his body fat as an energy source. Which would provide enough energy to last about two-tenths of a second, and vaporize his entire body-- even a single layer of fireproof cells-- in about one-tenth of a second. Ditto, Reed is explicitly described as ''not'' eating food anymore, and air alone has precious little calories or nutrients... So, still HollywoodScience, just explianed in greater detail using more modern terminology.
** Reed is also described as not needing to sleep anymore because ''[[FlatWhat his brain is flexible enough to operate without sleep.]]''
** And they more or less just say right off the bat that none of them have any idea how Sue's powers work.

* The Meta-gene of DCComics. A single gene that provides every possible super-power. Various HumanAliens like Superman, the LegionOfSuperHeroes, MartianManhunter, etc. also attribute their abilities to genetics-- [[LegoGenetics Transfer their DNA]] into a human, and that human becomes super-powered.

* I don't suppose HarryPotter would be mentionable? Mrs. Rowling has stated that there was a Magic Gene involved in wizarding capabilities. If you think about it, that gene could code in for a certain protein or RNA molecule which could alter brain functions to being capable of warping reality. Like the Noosphere idea used in S.T.A.L.K.E.R. or HaruhiSuzumya, just to a much much milder extent.