Editing The science of mutation

Back to [[Miscellaneous Setting Information]]



My Biologists and physicists alike have been studying mutations since they first appeared. This is the current state of their studies:

* Mutation is genetic at heart. At some stage following fecundation, the fetus is modified by an unknown factors which modifies its DNA; the new genes cause it to eventually develop superpowers around puberty. As such, the siblings of a first-generation mutant are no more statistically likely than anyone else to be mutants themselves.

* Mutations are based on dominant genes. In addition, mutations seem to modify reproductive mechanisms in such a way that the mutant's progeny will ''always'' inherit the very same mutation. In practice, this means that mutations will eventually spread to all of mankind if left unchecked.

* Mutations are very, very clearly not a natural phenomenon. It is obvious that some form of incredibly advanced genetic engineering is at work, modifying fetus DNA across the world. Who, how and why are complete mysteries - although some individuals (such as [[Reverend Keyes]] consider it divine intervention.

* Mutation seems to happen across all human population with no particular focus - a baby born in China, Australia or Europe is equally likely to be a mutant. However, there is no record of any first-generation mutant ever having a crippling genetic defect (although their descendants are just as vulnerable as anyone else).

* Whoever is creating mutations seems to be getting better with time: First-generation mutants nowadays are, on average, more powerful than the first mutants of the 1920s or their descendants.

* Like ordinary muscles, the powers conferred by mutations can be developed with practice.

* While this remains experimental, a variety of high-tech groups have had limited success in giving full-grown adults mutant superpowers.