Question: Element Benders can pass on their abilities genetically. I'm wondering is an avatar that has access to more elements than usual is able to pass on more than their native bending talent. We haven't, to my knowledge much to go on but this family tree.

![enter image description here](https://i.stack.imgur.com/I76q1.jpg)

I doubt we'll see any hard evidence soon (i.e. proof by contradiction), but if there is something I've missed theory wise, it would help answer.

I see two lines of thought on this:

1. Being an avatar is if not hereditary, some how genetic. Some portion of gene could be passed on unlocking non-native bending.
2. Being an avatar is purely spiritual, and cannot be 'passed on' as with normal bending genes. This may imply however that non-avatars can become avatars if they contemplate their navels thoroughly enough...

Which one is correct, or is there a third option?

Answer: 
The Avatar is a non-hereditary process. Each Avatar is from a different nation every time they manifest, so there is no genetic process that would be able to account for how it moves from nation to nation in an understandable form. So a bender who is the Avatar, may pass on their primary element (their native one) and that would be it. The rest of their power is derived from a spiritual connection to the elements from their past lives.

* Avatar Roku (Fire Nation, Roku's Island), 82 BSC - 12 BSC
* Avatar Kyoshi (Earth Kingdom, now Kyoshi Island), 312 BSC - 82 BSC
* Avatar Kuruk (Water Tribes, Northern Water Tribe), Unknown - 312 BSC
* Avatar Yangchen (Air Nomads, Western Air Temple), Years unknown
* Unnamed fire Avatar (Fire Nation), Years unknown

![An image of previous avatars, including Aang](https://i.stack.imgur.com/yf2nk.jpg)

*An image of previous avatars, including Aang*
No, the avatar can only pass on their native elements to their children. Hope that helps. :)