[Moonbat]

Interesting. But if everyone had powers then only those without powers would be special. If everyone could fly without getting exhausted then there would be no need for cars or planes. If everyone could manipulate fire or water then there would be no need for firefighters, or hosepipes or all sorts of things. If everyone could read thoughts then no one could lie and get away with it.
I think its an interesting idea that super/mutant powers being spread amongst everyone would not only change the way in which lives are lived but would create an uneasy balance between good and evil (as there always is)
But then the powers wouldn't be powers.
As in Iain M Bank's culture novels some of the culture people have such highly developed genes that they could be seen as super powers. I think it's player of games, but when goes to a planet with much higher gravity his body changes to adapt him to the planet, he soon becomes much more muscular. Also in the culture novels they have drug glands that they can use to increase their matabolism, slow time, concentrate, or just plan get hammered.
The thing with super powers is they are never explained scientifically. Like in Heroes, how does Nathan fly, what powers his flight, at least archangel in Xmen had wings that grew. Surely that makes something like Heroes not quie sci-fi as there is no scientific explanation apart from random evolution that explains powers. But although someone might be able to evolve with much better hearing how would someone evolve to create fire, or melt objects.
A story where everyone had evolved a few particular powers might be interesting in that we could see how the society might change.
As for the law, yeah if everyone had powers the law would need some kind of weapon against them. If guns were no longer a threat to someone then they wouldn't be controled by the law unless there was a greater threat to them. Like you say the threat of removnig thier powers.
hmmm, that gives me an idea.