Genetic Engineering

From TFC Galactopedia

Genetic engineering , genetic modification ,GM and genegineering are all terms for the process of manipulating genes in an organism, usually outside of the organism's normal reproductive process. It often involves the isolation, manipulation, recoding and reintroduction of DNA into model organisms, usually to express a protein or group of proteins. The aim is introduce new genetic characteristics to an organism to increase its usefulness toward a specific purpose.

Genetic Engineering has been available in the Federation since it's establishment, and was the catylist to one of the great wars of it's founding worlds in pre-Federation times (Genetic manipulation in the mid 21st century led to the Eugenics Wars). Because of this, all forms of sentient genetic engineering are banned within the Federation and these laws are so stringent that they even bar the legal service of genetically modified individuals in StarFleet.

In the history of the Empire and the Republic, the situation differs drastically. Most notably, the planet of Kamino has long been infamous for its cloners and genetic engineers. Their expertise was used during the Clone Wars, in which the planet produced genetically modified clones of the bounty hunter Jango Fett to serve as a Grand Army of the Republic. This army later formed the core of the Emperor's feared Storm Troopers.

One of the most common applications of genetic engineering is genetically modified plants and other forms of agriculture, such as quadrotriticale. Genetic modification is also used in a limited fashion in medical treatments, to cure certain disorders like cystic fibrosis, sickle-cell anemia and diabetes.

Despite stringent laws, an extreme ambition of some groups is anthroid augmentation via genetics, by artificial intelligence or molecular engineering. One such group was discovered by the Enterprise-D on stardate 45470.1, a colony of genetically altered terrans who were nearly wiped out by a rogue stellar core fragment.

This area is still under revision. Please do not assume any technology information is Canon unless told otherwise by a tech admin/moderator"