Is the concept of genetics in the show "Heroes" possible?

Question

and how

Answer 1

It's hard to say. They don't explain enough to make it scientifically impossible. It is very very highly unlikely though. The characters in the show each have a different power, but it is suggested that it's the same gene. How does mutation on the same gene result in so many different phenotypes? They don't even try to explain. A few other things that makes it less and less likely:

1. for a mutation to occur and be passed on, it has to happen on the level of gamete production, which is rare
2. for a mutation to survive and be passed on, it has to be either neutral or hold some type of advantage at each step of the way so that (yes, i know that genetic disease do get passed on, but they have negative effects on reproductive success unless they are manifested late in life like Huntington's)

What type of mutation would cause the physiological change needed to fly? What would that physiology even be? Flying would require massive changes in many parts of the body . . . how would each take place? Why do we only see the result of all the changes coming together at once . . .?

I won't even get started with the crazy twins . . . they just freak me out.

Answer 2

For the most part, my answer would be no. As Jenny said, most of these "powers" would require massive physiological changes, such as flying or regenerating tissue. Other powers depicted in the show, which in the real world would be based on assumptions that science has not yet displayed. For instance, reading someone else's mind would require that there be some type of wave that can be detected outside of the skull. And freezing time, of course, requires that the entire universe freeze, as other planets and stars operate on the same timeline as us, which is amazingly implausible. Is some alien life form out there frozen when Hiro wants to do something? The only power I can think of off the top of my head that may actually be possible is the highly enhanced hearing, which isn't that cool for prime time TV.

Answer 3

No. The "Heroes" all seemed to develop extremely beneficial mutations, without impacts to metabolism, etc.; and without having relatives (especially ancestors) with similar (even if less extreme) traits. Same with the X-men.

Answer 4

Nope. I don't care what your genes are, you don't get magical powers from biochemistry.

Ya canna change the laws o' physics!

Answer 5

yeah, all the normal people