Tools that predict offspring eye color based on parental phenotypes are commonly available online. These tools typically employ simplified models of inheritance, often focusing on the interaction of two major genes and sometimes incorporating additional genes for green or hazel hues. For example, a parent with brown eyes and a parent with blue eyes might be given a percentage probability of their child having brown, blue, or potentially green eyes, depending on the specific tool and the inputted information.
Such predictive tools offer an accessible and engaging way to explore basic genetic principles. While not a substitute for rigorous genetic analysis, they can illustrate the probabilistic nature of inheritance and introduce users to concepts like dominant and recessive genes. Historically, understanding eye color inheritance has been a significant stepping stone in the development of genetics as a scientific field. Early studies of eye color inheritance helped establish fundamental principles that are now applied across a wide range of biological disciplines.
