Genetic Engineering

Date: 15 May 95 21:11:39 EDT
From: Jo Grant
To: XBOAT (XBOAT@MPGN.COM)

GENETIC ENGINEERING:
the act of altering and/or constructing DNA sequences to create new or altered life-forms subsequently brought to term artificially or through a natural host.
The Science of Genetic Engineering has long been known in the Imperium. The first attempts at such were mainly along the lines of selective breeding, as practiced by many primitive societies. The first direct genetic manipulations occurred by selective enhancement and alteration of the DNA of various creatures. The second Imperium was responsible for genetically enhancing both Orangutan and Dolphin DNA to raise them to a higher level of intelligence. The most advanced area of this field, genetic construction, includes the complete synthesis of totally new life entities from the ground up. The colonization of the many worlds of the Imperium, most quite inhospitable, owes a lot to this sort of genetic engineering. Ecosystems have been created for worlds where none previously existed or had no time to evolve.

Legal Implications

There are many and varied laws throughout the Imperial member states regarding what can and cannot be done through genetic manipulation. Surprisingly there is correspondingly little Imperial law covering the subject. Aside from the usual guarantees of planets rights to control the import and export of new or altered beings the one overriding restriction is that "No human DNA or DNA sequence may be used as a basis for genetic experimentation or production." (The legal interpretation extends to other sophont races as well.)
Many scientists have decried this as overly restrictive. They claim this as a great setback to human science and the attempt to eliminate various genetic diseases. Commercial concerns have complained about the restrictions as sealing off a large potential market for ecosystem adaptation and tailored individuals for leisure, entertainment, and special industries. To understand more about the reasoning behind the law it is necessary to understand some of the events leading up to it.
There was no Imperial control over what could and could not be done prior to the Genetic Manipulation Act, 194. The second Imperium was quite free with its experiments and constructions. There are a number of worlds inhabited by genetically altered humans originating from this time period. The popular vid-dramas of "Plutarch Assassins" are not complete fabrications. It is known that those with money could have designed beings to suit their whim.
Much of this was lost over the Long Night but in some places research continued without even the small restrictions of the Empire at the time. In the early reawakening efforts were launched to attempt to recover as much material as possible and to continue the science. However, as the core of the Empire expanded more and more unlicensed worlds were brought in and the results of unlegislated and undisciplined use of genetic constructions got some dramatic media coverage.
On Agafo, a segment of Solomani supremacists took advantage of the relatively poor diversity of the Vilani gene set and engineered a killer mange that sought out Vilani descendants. This necessitated a 400 year quarantine.
The planet of Emoue was taken over by the product of a government eugenicist project gone wrong. An enclave of their descendants still exists but are restricted to a series of islands and primitive equipment due to their genetically induced militant tendencies.
Attempts at autogenesis, cloning and memory transfer, bore occasional fruits. This set a very disturbing undercurrent through the nobility and MegaCorporation officers, both of which rely on inheritance as a means of proliferation and change.
It was these and other similar incidents which swayed public opinion and persuaded Emperor Martin I to sign into law the Genetic Manipulation Act.
Violations have and continue to occur. Both through scientific idealism and commercial incentives. It is, in fact, a difficult arena to police. However, no major indiscretions have taken place and the weight of Imperial backing to the law has kept most activity strictly legal.

Facts of Genetic Engineering

In the field of Genetic Engineering, proper, existing DNA codes are taken and spliced together into new life forms. This can often be a long process of trial and error. Especially when dealing with new or not completely understood codes. This is generally best applied to tailoring a specific species to better suit some end goal.
For example the Bondi, the nationalistic symbol was in danger of extinction due to the changing biosphere of the planet. Evolution is not a fast enough means of dealing with the often rapid changes that technology can bring. Here, however, Genetic Scientists stepped in and introduced changes to the lungs and respiratory systems of the animal to cope with the changes.
The more advanced field of Genetic Construction is quite different. Instead of dealing with existing genetic codes, a Genetic Engineer constructs them from the ground up. Completely unique creatures are thus devised.
Most evolved DNA consists and a large variety of sequences derived randomly over time. Consequently there are large portions of their codes that add nothing to the organism and are completely irrelevant. Constructed creatures, though, are much more efficiently tailored. Extra space is sometimes used for comments or copyright notices but often even the most complicated constructed organism seldom has more than 4 or 6 chromosomes.
This fact actually makes it very easy to identify organisms that have been constructed rather than evolved. Their origin is quite evident through simple genetic analysis or often even a microscope. This specificity, though, limits the variety. If a constructed organism is given the ability for self reproduction the amount of parameters that can vary is quite limited. There is not the tolerance for random change built into evolved life. Consequently constructed creatures, left in a natural environment, seldom evolve further or mutate and are very susceptible to diseases or changes that were not engineered into them.
This, though, has its benefits. Often an organism or creature can be created to fulfill a certain purpose or else produce a certain results. Then, when it detects that it has accomplished its goals, it dies, or ceases to reproduce.

Genetic Engineering Today

There are a number of areas where Genetic Engineering comes to the fore in the Imperial sphere. As previously mentioned biosphere construction has enabled the colonization of previously uninhabited worlds. This has caused contention in some groups where previous species have been eliminated by the new constructs.
The Ubedewi Iceworm was an early successful and popular construct. It can live in temperatures near absolute zero by adsorbing any and all radiant energy. Ice worlds can be seeded with them and, slowly, over time their albedo can be shifted.
Biological organisms can be an advantage over more mundane constructs in certain situations. They can work, sometimes much more intricately than machines, and usually possess the capability of self-repair and often self-propagation. Most people are familiar with Grassfalt (tm) which often appears on space stations. This is genetically engineered turf that is tough, resilient and beneficial to artificial atmospheres.
Another interesting example are the varieties of painting slugs on the market. Their diet consists of paint and they have a built in compulsion toward symmetry. Given a blank wall they will cover it with intricate designs. These expand over the available surface area and then double back forming an ever changing tableau of art.
Scientific interests aside, genetic engineering has been used in the entertainment and leisure markets. Many exotic and unusual lifeforms have been discovered on a variety of worlds. Through genetic engineering, it has been possible to domesticise and adapt these interesting creatures with temperaments and habits that make them suitable pets.
A species of Feeweegro Tree Frog with a particularly melodious mating call was engineered and given a predilection for harmony. Two or more Harmonisers together will "sing" in counterpoint to each other in an ever changing melody taking as inspiration incidental sounds in their environment. Snatches of conversation, ringing phones, even construction work can be pleasantly accompanied if a quartet of Harmonisers is present.
In the field of genetic construction creatures are not limited to nature. All realms of fantastic and mythological creatures can exist in reality. From living and animated stoles, to the conspicuous consumptive show pieces of evening suits made entirely of butterflies and sprites, the range is too diverse to cover here.
Although the law restricts the use of human DNA, it does not prevent the use of other primate DNA or constructs designed to look as human as possible. These range from decorative garden cherubs to robot-like heavy laborers for mine work to specialized "escort girls". Although engineered to react in as near human a fashion as possible, legally these are still animals and have no rights other than what locally passes as animal rights.
Needless to say moralists on many worlds object to the more human like constructs on ethical grounds. This has proven to be an extremely gray area, legally, though. The Empire does, however, support an Office of Sentiency. They administer special exams upon request to "potential sentients". If they pass they are immediately declared sentient individuals and given all rights and accords due.
As the subsequent litigation by the newly declared sentient against their previous creators or owners can be complex most genetic construction agencies are careful to produce constructs a fair safety margin below the usual limits. There are shady businesses that deal much closer to the limit for commensurate prices, but, fortunately, they are the exception.

The history of Genetic Engineering in the Imperium has been a wide and varied one. This article can only serve to give an overview and we encourage the interested reader to follow their own references.

ADVENTURES:

77. Mobster, Payoff
Having conducted some dubious work for an in-system criminal organization the players go to a rendezvous point for the payoff. Instead of the 30,000Cr they were promised they find a small child clutching a shoebox. She has fair skin, long crimped silver hair, wears a silver lace dress, and has solid silver eyes. The shoebox contains 10,000Cr and a note from the mobsters indicating that the remainder of the payment is "in kind" and consists of the genetically engineered plaything.
Her license is in the box and indicates that she is down as genetically engineered chimp stock although anyone with admin-1 will suspect the license. A medical examination shows she appears to be the victim of severe mental and (non-damaging) physical abuse.
1-2: All is as appears but the license is a forgery. Players
     may adopt her or sell her for 100,000Cr on the Black
     Market.
3-4: As is (1) but a detailed genetic analysis shows that she
     has some human DNA in her.
5:   She is not a genetic alterant at all. She is a cosmetically
     engineered child of a nearby noble. She was being held for
     ransom by the mobsters but the noble refused to pay. Her
     memory has been hypnotically repressed.
6:   The "child" is a genetically constructed hit-man for the
     mob. She has become a little too well know and wants out
     of the vicinity. She will happily play along. She will
     later escape from the adventurers or else blackmail
     whoever she is sold to.
78. Noble, Vendetta
The characters are approached by the representatives of a Noble who indicate that they have a job for those with good investigative skill and a desire for justice. If they are interested they will be ushered to a meeting in a grav-limo.
The Noble says there is another noble on a nearby world who wronged her in the past and who she owes one to. She says that no noble is a paragon of virtue. Each evades justice to a greater or lesser degree, but now is the time for justice to catch up with her nemesis.
Based on some follow up work on an off hand comment made some years ago, she has discovered that one academic institute he has been funding is unofficially involved in genetic research. She wishes them to investigate further and expose whatever is being hidden.
1: The Noble is the subject of a genetic weakness due to
   many years of inbreeding. He is funding research into
   a drug to mitigate the effects and to ensure it is not
   inheritable.
2: As above but this is really just a cover for an attempt
   to clone him without the defect. Research is beginning
   in how to enact a memory transfer to the new cone.
3: As in (2) except the memory transfer is due to take place
   in 3 weeks. Plans are in place for him to "die" and pass
   his inheritance on.
4: As in (2) except the memory transfer has already taken
   place. However the new clone has escaped and is now
   actively plotting the death of its progenitor.
5: The institute is researching a genetically enhanced version
   of the Noble. It is designed for optimum physical performance
   and utmost loyalty to its progenitor. He plans a revolution
   on the world with himself as the head.
6: As (5) except industrial cloning of the replicant is already
   underway.
79. Refugee, Escape
While on an insystem transfer the player's ship detects a light grav-van on a course near their vector. Depending on how it may have maneuvered it could have come from any of three locations. However, given the design, a popular one in this system, it is impossible for it to have enough fuel to get back anywhere.
Hailing it will produce no results but if they physically approach it and look through the windscreen they will see a woman on the other side. She will respond to them but is obviously unfamiliar with the controls and will have to be talked through everything.
When rescued she will say her name is Mlini and she will say she is fleeing a local industrialist claiming to be her husband. She will offer the characters 10,000Cr to take her out of the system. If they seem hesitant she will double the offer.
If the players take her up she will confess, once in jump, that she really has no money. She will appeal to them to let her work for her passage. After some time the characters may notice a few odd things. She appears physically perfect, intelligent and naturally sophisticated. However her knowledge of the world in general seems particularly lacking. (She has a UCP of FFFF2A)
1: Mlini is a genetic replicant of the Industrialist's late
   wife. He is very keen to get her back and will send a
   detective with an open cheque book to return her.
2: Mlini is an illegal genetic alterant, tailored for the
   pleasure of the industrialist. He will attempt to
   retrieve her as in (1).
3: A sister company sent the industrialist Mlini as a
   present. In reality she is a genetic construct commissioned
   by a rival firm. Consciously she is completely naive and
   innocent. However, at pre-programmed times a subconscious
   "split personality" takes over and she becomes an RNA
   trained espionage agent. This form activated,
   stole some important documents but accidentally
   got switched off during escape. The industrialist will
   attempt to recover her as in (1) but additionally
   so will the rival firm.
4: As in (3) except the subconscious personality will
   awaken 1D days into jump. She will attempt to take
   over the ship. Subsequent events should be determined
   by the referee.
5: Mlini is a genetically engineered experimental fashion
   toy, given to be tried out by a favored customer.
   Unfortunately the model turned out a little too
   willful and the customer a little too inept. Alas,
   though, he has fallen in love and will pursue her
   to woo her himself, possibly revealing her origin.
6: As in (4) except the company who produced her will
   send 2 assassins to kill her and dispose of the
   evidence. They will eliminate the industrialist too
   if he talks too much.
80. Civil Servant, Assassination
While passing through a Company/Corporation owned world the characters will be approach by a company official. He will offer them 100,000Cr to track down and kill some dangerous animals. If they are interested they will be given a non-disclosure agreement to sign and a briefing room to report to.
Another official will inform them that one of the products the company produces is genetically constructed fighting automatons for sale to high caliber mercenary brigades and world governments. Unfortunately four of these have broken their training and have escaped to the planet.
Their current whereabouts and intentions are unknown. They are close to their genetically programmed shutdown date and, if they are aware of this, are likely to be desperate. Their mission is to seek out and put down the automatons.
1: The automatons are highly skilled and trained fighting
   troops. They are attempting to cause as much physical
   damage as possible on the company in revenge for their
   slavery.
2: As (1) except they are trying to find the genius who
   created them and force him to engineer an extension to
   their life span.
3: The automatons are unarmed but still have lightning
   reflexes and killer instincts. They plan to break into
   a training lab and "liberate" their "comrades" destined
   for slavery.
4: The automatons are, in fact, normal human mercenaries
   who have been brainwashed into believing they are
   constructs. A anti-genetics organization has perpetrated
   this in order to embarrass the company.
5: The "escape" of the automatons is just a cover. They are
   really on a penetration mission by one of the purchasing
   mercenary guilds to attempt to take the president of
   the corporation as hostage in return for better prices.
6: The automatons mistakenly found about about their shut down
   date. This has driven them to question their duty and
   right to existence. Knowing of nowhere else they have
   returned to their world of origin, trying to explore
   their earliest memories in their final hours of life.
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