My Hero Academia never explored a major aspect of Quirk stealing and loss

In the universe of My Hero Academia, where over 80% of the population has "Quirks"— unique skills that have become essential to human evolution— superpowers and genetics cross in a novel way. However, the genetic ramifications of Quirk snatching and deletion are among this universe's most fascinating yet little-studied features.

Fans and theorists have started looking into the deeper scientific ramifications of how Quirk transfer can impact future generations, as All For One's capacity to steal Quirks presents difficult questions regarding genetic inheritance and the biological origin of these supernatural talents.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in the article solely belong to the author.

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The physical nature of quirks in My Hero Academia

In the series' universe, Quirks are explicitly tied to genetics, manifesting as physical traits that can be as obvious as Tsuyu Asui's frog-like features, or as subtle as the specialized palm structures in All For One's hands. The show presents several mechanisms for Quirk manipulation, each suggesting a deeply physical nature to these abilities.

Eraserhead's power to temporarily nullify Quirks works by blocking specific gene expression, while the anti-Quirk bullets developed by Overhaul physically target and destroy Quirk-related cellular structures.

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All For One's quirk transfer mechanism

All For One as seen in the anime (Image via Bones)

The capacity of All For One to steal quirks is compared to organ transplantation in the series, implying an actual transfer of genetic material as opposed to merely replicating power.

The transmission method itself, which necessitates close physical touch and is not instantaneous, supports this interpretation, by suggesting a sophisticated biological process as opposed to a straightforward energy-based transfer.

Complete genetic integration into their biological composition is suggested by the ability of recipients of transmitted Quirks to employ them without All For One.

Additionally, the existence of physical adaptations, such as the unique palm structures of All For One, provide compelling proof that the power functions at a basic biological level, literally changing the user's body to make room for the Quirk-stealing ability.

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Implications for inheritance

The organ transplantation analogy opens up fascinating questions about genetic inheritance in the world of My Hero Academia. Similar to how removing an organ doesn't alter the genetic code in one's reproductive cells, there's a possibility that Quirk stealing only affects somatic cells, while leaving germline cells untouched.

However, the series presents contradictory evidence on this front. All For One's cryptic reference to a truth-detecting Quirk user's descendants suggests the potential for inheritance even after Quirk theft, yet the permanent nature of Quirk removal implies a more comprehensive genetic modification.

Adding another layer of complexity is All For One's ability to pass stolen Quirks to others, which indicates manipulation at the most fundamental genetic level.

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Scientific paradoxes

The mechanics of All For One's power present several scientific paradoxes. If Quirk stealing involves a complete genetic transfer, All For One's genome would become increasingly complex with each stolen Quirk. This raises questions about genetic stability and how the human body could accommodate such extensive genetic modification without adverse effects.

Additionally, the ability to transfer Quirks to others suggests All For One can somehow package and transfer specific genetic information, while maintaining its functionality.

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Conclusion

The implications of Quirk genetics in My Hero Academia extend far beyond the immediate dramatic impact of power stealing. They address basic issues about the nature of hereditary features, genetic engineering, and human evolution.

Even while the show mostly concentrates on the heroic battles and social ramifications of quirks, little is known about the underlying scientific enigmas surrounding the storage, transmission, and inheritance of these powers. These queries reveal the intricate worldbuilding that lies beneath the series' action-packed exterior, in addition to offering a wealth of material for fan hypotheses.

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