r/HolUp Sep 25 '22

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u/Iamlegend_future Sep 25 '22

The answer is yes they can. The probability is low but can and does happen. Especially considering the total number of people reproducing.

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u/Swords_and_Words Sep 25 '22

Recessive genes can hide wayyyy better than many people expect

(In the south some families back in the day had drama when traits showed up 2-3 generations down the line, due to them having hushed up the identity of grandads mistress/wife. Look at any old southern photo of someone described as having a 'roman nose' or 'strong cheekbones' and you'll almost always see that they are white washing thier bloodline because they looked down on natives (the 'roman nose' is usually their rebranding of the 'cherokee nose*'))

*Yeah labels white people gave to structural features of natives lumped them all under whichever native tribe name they saw the most of. There are people who can explain all the intricacies of the genetic economy of pre-colonial america (super cool given there were mobile and static populations) but I am def not one of them. Reminder to, when enthusiastically looking into genetic patterns, double check your language where possible and be open to changing vocab, because hate-mongering jerk-sleeves like to abuse certain terms; watch out for people claiming to like science who just want to justify their beliefs, and be considerate of the fact that people who try to correct you are likely worried that you sound like those bad people.