About: Magic Genetics   Sponge Permalink

An Entity of Type : owl:Thing, within Data Space : 134.155.108.49:8890 associated with source dataset(s)

Now, you want to give this character really cool superpowers. However, you need to justify it. So you say that it's a result of genetic mutation caused by a Freak Lab Accident. However, could that really work? Let's say you want this character to be able to fly. But without wings, where would the propulsion come from? Let's say you want this character to be able to grow 100 times their size. What about the law of conservation of matter? (Not to mention that even if it was possible, the person would probably die from insufficient amounts of blood.) Let's not even get started on creating fire out of thin air...

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  • Magic Genetics
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  • Now, you want to give this character really cool superpowers. However, you need to justify it. So you say that it's a result of genetic mutation caused by a Freak Lab Accident. However, could that really work? Let's say you want this character to be able to fly. But without wings, where would the propulsion come from? Let's say you want this character to be able to grow 100 times their size. What about the law of conservation of matter? (Not to mention that even if it was possible, the person would probably die from insufficient amounts of blood.) Let's not even get started on creating fire out of thin air...
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  • Now, you want to give this character really cool superpowers. However, you need to justify it. So you say that it's a result of genetic mutation caused by a Freak Lab Accident. However, could that really work? Let's say you want this character to be able to fly. But without wings, where would the propulsion come from? Let's say you want this character to be able to grow 100 times their size. What about the law of conservation of matter? (Not to mention that even if it was possible, the person would probably die from insufficient amounts of blood.) Let's not even get started on creating fire out of thin air... Many writers don't know (or 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. Lego Genetics is often involved, as well. Extra fail points if the writer ignores the necessary secondary powers needed for the Functional Magic to actually be functional, such as Photographic Memory for Voluntary Shapeshifting etc. If the writer wants to firm up the science, they might say that the genes merely construct nanoscale Applied Phlebotinum in your cells which acts on "quantum forces not yet discovered" or some other Hand Wave, but it's still really Functional Magic given a pseudoscience gloss-over. Some types of superpowers being caused by genetics are plausible. Super Strength 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 Super Speed 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 stretch and distort their bodies, or have a Healing Factor or Super Senses. While you can't become an invisible man, chromatophores in the skin could give you super-camouflage. Etc. Genetically-based Psychic Powers are automatically a subtrope of this, as are any Witch Species. Characters who are Randomly-Gifted usually don't gain their powers from genetic sources, or in combination with other non-genetic factors. A subtrope of You Fail Biology Forever, Art Major Biology and Required Secondary Powers. See also Superpowerful Genetics, Bio Augmentation. In Superhero stories, usually considered an Acceptable Break From Reality due to Rule of Cool. Examples of Magic Genetics include:
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