Atavism is a condition in which a normally dormant gene from our prehistoric roots is for some reason reactivated.

The remainder of the image of the man was marked in red, showing static, dormant genes.

Unlike her mother or Namor she had some additional powers that seems to be related to her emotional state triggering dormant Atlantean genes.

"The work demonstrates that turning on a dormant gene could represent a therapeutic intervention for Angelman syndrome."

Whether it was a success because she had a dormant gene is unknown.

Sometimes, dormant genes can be induced to be expressed by artificial stimulation.

Hobson travels to the research unit, where he worked to reactivate dormant genes in humans and animals using high-frequency sound waves and radiation.

The unit's head, Perrin, believed that awakening the dormant genes would lead to a quantum leap in evolution.

Barclay, a hypochondriac, visits Crusher, who gives him a synthetic T-cell to activate one of his dormant genes.

The Doctor explains that Lazarus's transformation is the result of an evolutionary throwback locked away in dormant genes that are now becoming dominant.