Carry forward of Extra limbs across generation?

[Frenemy90210]

If a human or animal is born with extra body parts such limbs, will it's offspring will also have that extra limb ? (Assuming both parents have that extra limb)

If the answer is yes, then should it not be possible to create huge populations, perhaps entire countries with people having extra limbs using eugenics ?

 

[.Scott]

It's a maybe.
If the extra limb is the result of a genetic change that was present in the fertilized egg, then yes, yes (offspring), and yes (large population).
Otherwise no. There are chemicals (teratogens) that can have this kind of effect on an embryo.

 

[SciencewithDrJ]

Indeed, as Scott explained, if the extra limb is a consequence of a genetic change in the gametes (sex cells, sperm or egg). If not, the trait could not possibly be passed on to the net generation. Most likely such traits would have negative sexual selection and would therefore have an unlikely chance of being passed on. For example, would you choose a mate that has such a defect? Most people won't, and that's negative sexual selection.