From: | shadowrn@*********.com (Hahns Shin) |
---|---|
Subject: | Metagenes |
Date: | Fri Jan 25 14:45:01 2002 |
dominant
> > >one and some other scientific mumbo-jumbo?
> > >
> > >At least in SR the metagenes have a strong part, otherwise we
would
> > >have half breeds, so that should be stated as a fact.
<snip primer on Mendelian genetics and codominance>
Hmm, I was under the impression (from various readings in SR
sourcebooks) that the definition of a "metagene" transcended the
normal definitions of Mendelian genetics and genetic
dominance/penetration. The reason they are called "metagenes" is that
such "traits" cannot be localized to a certain gene on a certain
chromosome (Human Genome Project rearing its ugly head). Specifically,
I seem to recall that the SR scientists have no clue as to the loci of
such metagenes, if they even exist in the first place. It is sort of
like the hairy problem of discovering hair/skin color genes, since
they rely on multiple genes (granted, on the same chromosome). I was
under the impression that something in the chromosomes themselves were
"activated" by the latent mana level, something intrinsic (chromosome
"shape" perhaps) or multifactoral (like certain types of diabetes). Or
perhaps another factor is involved, not unlike mitochondrial DNA, that
is as yet undiscovered (in SR pseudoscience, mind you).
On another note, I thought brown eyes were the dominant gene and blue
eyes recessive (associated, of course, with blonde hair and certain
types of heart disease). It's been a while since my high school
biology class where we discussed this particular type of inheritance,
so I could be mistaken. The "only the dominant gene passes to the
child" theory works game-wise, but it doesn't work as far as normal
Mendelian genetics (as stated above and in the previous primer).
Fundamentally, though, it's whatever works; in SR, kids are only of
the race of one of their parents, for whatever reason. Also, I was
under the impression that two humans can possibly produce any of the
races (due to UGE or goblinization). And let us not forget
environmental factors (extreme cases like the otaku aside).
To make a long story short, no one in SR knows WHY some people are
magically active, some people are elves, some people are trolls, etc.
There is a genetic component, but it is probably not inherited as a
specific Dominant/Co-dominant/Recessive gene (there is too little
variation as such)... possibly multi-factoral or non-chromosomal
inheritance. There are no "known" half-breeds, and certain traits may
stay latent in the genome until the mana level activates them (SURGE
comes to mind, but also the 1st wave of goblinization and teenage
onset goblinization).
Of course, I want to know what happened to all the Tskrang and
Windlings (I believe ED Windlings are SR Pixies, but the Tskrang are
absent AFAIK).
Hahns Shin, MS II
Budding cybersurgeon
"Fairy tales do not tell children the dragons exist. Children already
know that dragons exist. Fairy tales tell children the dragons can be
killed."
-G. K. Chesterton