Ability heredity
| Ability heredity | |
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 The Hawkins-Sanders family are all evolved humans. |
There are many indications in Heroes that the powers that the characters exhibit can be inherited from parents possessing special abilities. The basic premise behind Chandra Suresh's research is that humans are on the brink of an advance of evolution, and that there are genetic markers in DNA/RNA that can be used to predict the emergence of special abilities.
Genetic Markers
Using data from the Human Genome Project, he was able to create a list of humans that could possibly exhibit the abilities predicted by his theories. While Chandra was able to find one example, he was unfortunately murdered before he could go public with his discoveries.
In a Q&A session, writers Joe Pokaski and Aron Coleite were asked whether or not it's a guarantee that powers are passed on, given that both parents are evolved humans. They answered, "In genetics, nothing is guaranteed. A random mix of traits." In another session they said, "We've seen that the existence of powers may be something passed on, but the powers themselves are a crapshoot of sorts. For example, phase-man + strength-girl = talks to machines."
It should be noted before going further, this theory of inheritance is far from certain. Hal Sanders is known to be Niki and Jessica's father, but it has not yet been revealed that he has special abilities of his own. Hal Sanders is not a confirmed member of the group of twelve. However, we've yet to learn Niki's matriarchy, and the group of twelve includes at least three unnamed women, as of the fourth episode of the second season.
Minors with Abilities
While most of the evolved humans in Heroes did not discover their special abilities until their 20's or 30's, there are a few examples of children who have demonstrated powers at much younger ages. Most of these children have parents who are also confirmed evolved humans. Observing certain trends in the "passing down" of genes, two minors with powers (Claire Bennet and Micah Sanders) share the common thread of both parents being special. Molly Walker's father James Walker is an evolved human, however nothing much is known about her mother.
Sanjog Iyer has demonstrated special abilities as a child; information about his parents is unknown. Janice and Matt Parkman are expecting a child. In an alternate future, their son Matthew was noted as a "child of interest" to Homeland Security (Five Years Gone).
Siblings and Cousins
Another indication that special powers run in families is the tendency of siblings to have powers, although it does not guarantee powers. Micah's cousin Monica has revealed special traits. However, for her they did not manifest until her early 20s, coincidently after she met Micah for the first time. Her brother Damon has not exhibited abilities yet, even though he's spent more time with cousin Micah.
Nathan Petrelli and Peter Petrelli are brothers who have powers, but little is known about their parents' possible involvement in this genetic abnormality. Maya and Alejandro Herrera are siblings with complementary powers, but information about their relatives is unknown.
Thus far there are notable inconsistencies. For example, Nathan Petrelli has two sons, but neither of them has yet demonstrated special abilities. Mohinder's sister Shanti Suresh, may have had powers: she had some kind of genetic abnormality, her parents described her as "special", and she inspired her father's research. Mohinder, however, has not shown any evidence of powers.
Examples of Inheritance
- Claire Bennet is the daughter of Nathan Petrelli and Meredith Gordon. This coincidently makes her Peter Petrelli's niece.
- The Haitian is the son of Guillame.
- Matt Parkman is the son of Maury Parkman who is a confirmed member of the Group of twelve.
- Nathan and Peter Petrelli are the sons of Angela and Mr. Petrelli who are confirmed members of the Group of twelve.
- Micah Sanders is the son of D.L. Hawkins and Niki Sanders, and Monica Dawson's cousin.
- Molly Walker is the daughter of James Walker.
- Hiro Nakamura's father Kaito Nakamura is a confirmed member of the Group of twelve but what power he had is not yet known.
- Maya Herrera, Alejandro Herrera, and Isaac Mendez are of hispanic ancestry. One male among the Group of twelve appears to also be hispanic. However, it is not confirmed yet whether these characters are in fact related to one another.
- Elle has an unspecified father who directed her to Ireland to capture Peter and deliver him to "a company", but it is unclear which company, who her father is, and whether or not he's special.
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| Evolutions Abilities |
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| Graphic Novel Abilities |
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