SGA - one quick question regarding the Hoffan-drug

[patk]

Yes, I know, I could do the research myself but perhaps somebody out there already knows it, so asking won't hurt. The Hoffan-drug who turns people into poison for the Wraith (provided the medicated person survives) - is the effect hereditary or limited to the person who was treated? Meaning: Will children of Wraith-immune parents also be immune to feeding by birth and poison a Wraith who tries?

Comments

[kimberlyfdr.livejournal.com]

That's a very good question! Nothing has been proven (since none of the survivors have procreated as far as we know). Manipulation of the body's genetic elements in this way would probably be the same as the artificial ATA gene. Can genetic manipulation be passed from generation to generation? Therein lies the answer.

[patk.livejournal.com]

>>Nothing has been proven

Yes, and so far I think nothing has been said or explained also.

>>Can genetic manipulation be passed from generation to generation? Therein lies the answer.

Well, given that genetic manipulation on humans currently still is in its infancy and being researched, I guess there isn't a definite answer to that. And was the Hoffan drug a form of genetic manipulation or "just" an inoculation that didn't cause genetic alterations? Ah, question upon question. But if there isn't a definite statement in the show, anything goes, right? *G*

[polly-b.livejournal.com]

*insert disclaimer here*

"Damnit, Captain, I'm a grandmother, not a geneticist!"

Okey dokey. If I understand it correctly, the Hoffan drug was an inoculation that, once given, either rendered the recipient immune from being fed on by Wraith or killed them, with a 50% mortality rate. Since inoculations in general don't provide an immunity that passes to the next generation (new babies have to get their own inoculations), one might presume that the Hoffan drug works the same way. However, this is Pegasus, where nothing seems to work 'in general' so you could spin it however you wanted or needed to, lol.

As for the artificial ATA gene, I think it would depend on what chromosome(s) it altered as to whether or not it could be carried onto the next generation, so you could possibly make a case for it working either way, not that you asked that, lol.

[patk.livejournal.com]

>>Since inoculations in general ... Hoffan drug works the same way.

Yes, that was my first impression too but then I wasn't sure anymore if there ever had been an explicit statement on how the Hoffan drug actually works. :-)

>>However, this is Pegasus, where nothing seems to work 'in general'

*LOL* Yes, that's pretty much my approach if there isn't anything said or shown in the series that explicitly nails a "fact" down. If there isn't any "proof" - anything goes and it's just a matter of selling the preferred version. *G*

>>As for the artificial ATA gene ... not that you asked that, lol.

*g* Don't worry, as soon as I had posted this entry the same question regarding the ATA-gene popped up in my head so your comment is very welcome. :-)

[aerianya.livejournal.com]

A gene is encoded into DNA and would be passed on. But may be affected by the other partner who does/doesn't have it? Like blue eyes. Two brown eyed parents can have a blue eyed baby if both carry the blue eyed gene and those hit together. Just like a blue and a brown may have blue, brown or even hazel.
Inoculations are just that and some even wear off.
Who knows, the writers change their minds often enough.
Confused yet? did that make any sense at all?

[patk.livejournal.com]

>>Confused yet? did that make any sense at all?

Not really and yes, of course. :-) But I still think they didn't really explain what exactly the Hoffan-cure was: an inoculation (not inheritable), a form of gene-therapy (perhaps inheritable depending on the details) or something completely different.

For that matter, I think they also never explained any details on the ATA-gene-therapy, how it is supposed to work: Change or activate something in the DNA that's already there? Add something to the DNA that wasn't there before? Take out or suppress something that works against the ATA-gene so that it becomes active? I think according to which details are picked, one could make a case pro or contra heritability.

Which is a good thing for fanfic-writers. :-)