7 common genetic traits explained and how children inherit them

Ever wondered how likely it is you’ll have twins? Or whether your child will have red hair or be left-handed? Here are 7 common genetic characteristics explained, to give you an idea of what to expect and help demystify how your child got that one seemingly random trait!

1. Eyes

Brown is the most dominant colour, with blue eyes being a recessive gene. So in order to have a child with blue eyes, both parents need to carry the blue-eyed gene (even if they don't have blue eyes themselves). Green and hazel eyes are also less strong and therefore not as common.

Recessive eye colour genes can also be passed down for generations, without actually popping up until way down the track, so sometimes blue and green eyes can make an appearance many years after any relatives had the same colour.