Tools designed to predict offspring eye color, based on parental eye color, operate on the principles of Mendelian genetics. These tools utilize algorithms that factor in the dominant and recessive genes responsible for eye color inheritance. For example, two brown-eyed parents could potentially have a blue-eyed child if both carry the recessive gene for blue eyes.
Understanding the likelihood of specific traits appearing in offspring has implications for genetic counseling and addressing potential health concerns linked to certain eye colors. While not definitive predictors, these predictive tools offer prospective parents insights into potential inherited traits. Historically, understanding inheritance has been a pursuit dating back centuries, with advancements in genetics leading to increasingly refined models.