It may probably sound like a bad spin-off from the X-Men movies, but its a lot more plausible than mutants with uber-regenerative properties and the power to shapeshift. In a recent study by Duke scientists, they were able to create the first map of imprinted genes throughout the human genome as a way to understand human genetics even further.

Normally, a human inherits two copies of a gene from each parent. This basically shapes how the child will develop. However, with imprinting only one of these copies get inherited by the child. Because of this, imprinted genes become vulnerable to environmental factors since there is no backup should something happen to it.

Dr. Randy Jirtle, a genetics researcher in the departments of radiation oncology and pathology at Duke and a senior author of the study explains the unconventional nature of imprinted genes:

Imprinted genes have always been something of a mystery, partly because they don’t follow the conventional rules of inheritance. We’re hoping this new roadmap will help us and others find more information about how these genes affect our health and well-being.