Research Finds Harry Potter Descended from Wizards

The Leaky Cauldron ^ | December 2, 2007

[CholeraJoe]

As if any more evidence was needed, researchers from Oxford University who have been studying aspects of wizarding genes, found that evidence points to Harry Potter descending from a magical bloodline. The Telegraph has a fun look this evening at ‘an analysis of wizardry’ study on the genetics of wizards from the Harry Potter novels. Their aim is to study wizard lineage in hopes to “address the heritability of magic.” They have found, and have published in the British Medical Journal, that magical ability could indeed be passed down from generation to generation. Basing its research on elements of the story contained in “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows,” in addition to the first six books in the series, such as information on various family lineages including the Blacks, Gaunts, and Weasleys, the study goes into great detail on the topic. Dr. Knight, a Senior Researcher from the Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics, says of this project:

“Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows provides a lot of valuable information about magical families that strongly suggests a role for genetic factors.

“For example, magic exists in at least seven generations of the Black family and at least three generations in others. We also see twins – the Patil and Weasley twins – with the same magical abilities.”

[CholeraJoe]

This explains quite a bit.

[CholeraJoe]

Ping

[CholeraJoe]

Ping.

[Charlespg]

Research Finds Harry Potter Descended from Wizards

well duh!

[DoughtyOne]

I see they finally read the first ten pages of the first book. LMAO

[goodwithagun]

What a relief! Now I can reread the books with new zeal over Christmas break!

[z3n]

but what about hermione?

[goodwithagun]

She is a muggle. She would not have wizarding relatives to research.

[goodwithagun]

Sorry, I just realized my mistake. Hermione is not a muggle, she is muggle-born. Therefore, she still would not have wizard ancestors to research.

[GreenAccord]

Riiiight....Next you’ll be telling me that Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia have the same father.

[z3n]

I think I misunderstood the premise of the article. I thought it was trying to say that since wizarding has genetic aspects, then Harry must have wizard ancestry that was not mentioned in the books. I have read only one of the books, and I assumed that because of the way the article was written, it was implied that most of Harry’s ansestors were also muggles.

[CT-Freeper]

Harry’s mother, IIRC, was muggle-born (ie, she’s like Hermione), but his father is descended from a lineage of wizardry.

[goodwithagun]

I thought his father was from a wizarding family but his mother was muggle-born.

[KarlInOhio]

If being a wizard is genetic, it seems like it would give a huge survival advantage to them and eventually the muggles would just disappear. Unless, of course, too much magic makes you go all "Dumbledore" and aren't interested in breeding anymore.

[z3n]

Ah hah. I got it now guys, thanks.

But I suppose my question holds even more true. Shouldn't they be (mock) investigating why Hermione has wizarding abilities if they contend that it is genetic?

[CholeraJoe]

Spontaneous mutation in one of her parents. Just like Queen Victoria who passed the Hemophilia trait to her daughters who then married into every royal family in Europe.

[EyeGuy]

Well, he can’t be any kin of Dumbledore, as J.K. Rowling did the hip and progressive thing and pronounced him a life-long queer.

[CholeraJoe]

They’re twins.

[PzLdr]

It’s those damn midichlorians.

[Rudder]

Harry Potter books are FICTION.