Editing Biological augmentation

{{Status|Canon}}

The [[Forerunner]]s used artificially-induced [[Forerunner mutation|mutations]] consisting of a combination of directed genetic modification, gene therapy and biochemical manipulation to custom-tailor an individual's body to a [[form]] considered suited for their social standing and field of work in a [[rate]].<ref>[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/species/forerunners '''Halo Waypoint - Universe''': ''Forerunners'']</ref> While many of the changes were ostensibly cosmetic and made for cultural reasons, others were designed to enhance a Forerunner's abilities. Many of the enhancements were to the neurological and cognitive abilities of the individual,<ref>'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''page 261''</ref> although at least the [[Warrior-Servant]]s' mutations also made them physically stronger and more robust.<ref>'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''page 279''</ref><ref>'''Halo: Silentium''', ''page 86''</ref>

Since the dawn of widespread spaceflight, [[human]]s have sought to use biochemical, surgical and cybernetic means to augment their bodies. While [[civilian]] applications for such technologies do exist, their obvious military advantages quickly saw them harnessed for the purposes of warfare. Basic performance-enhancing technologies have been commonplace among human militaries for centuries; however, extensive experimentation pushing the limits of the human body has historically been limited due to ethical concerns. A notable exception to this are the biochemical and cybernetic augmentations used in the [[SPARTAN programs]], which represent the peak of human biological and cybernetic enhancement.<ref name="enc44">'''[[Halo Encyclopedia (2009 edition)]]''', ''page 44''</ref>

As unrest began to brew in humanity's fledgling space territories, eventually breaking out as the [[Interplanetary War]], biological augmentations were first appropriated for military use. Despite providing subtle enhancement in the areas of strength and speed, these augmentations were rather primitive in comparison to the supersoldiers created centuries later. However, they did encourage the [[UNSC]] to continue research into human enhancement.{{Ref/Reuse|enc44}}

The first major effort to create biochemically-augmented supersoldiers was known as [[Project ORION]]. The beginnings of the program can be traced back to [[2321]], when the [[Office of Naval Intelligence]] began to build upon bioengineering protocols developed during the Interplanetary Wars. However, after five military candidates were selected and tested, the project was declared ineffective and the candidates were returned to their respective chains of command.{{Ref/Reuse|enc44}} Within a year, all candidates would die of unknown causes. The project was secretly relaunched by the [[Colonial Military Authority]] well over a century later in [[2491]], with the recruitment of 65 adult test subjects; hundreds more were added after the first batch completed their training. The ORION augmentations included enhancements to muscle density, lung capacity, vision, hearing and balance.<ref>'''[[Media:ILB Cochlear tuning.ogg|cochlear_tuning Axon]]'''</ref> While the ORION operatives were highly successful, the project on the whole was deemed a failure due to many factors, among the most prominent being the high "washout" rate of the augmentations as well as the limited effectiveness of the enhancements themselves.<ref name="journal">'''[[Dr. Halsey's personal journal]]'''</ref> Former ORION project member [[Avery Johnson]] remembers the experience as being agonizing filled with confusing, hormone-inducing rages.{{Ref/Novel|SiSto|Chapter=4}}

Research on the [[SPARTAN-II program]]'s augmentations began five years after the deactivation of the ORION Project. Headed by [[Catherine Halsey|Dr. Catherine Halsey]], early analysis concluded that next-generation candidates must have "more malleable, robust DNA structure and repair enzymes" and be selected through a stringent genetic screening process to avoid the washout rates of the ORION program. Because of the requirements, the best suitable candidates who would adapt without severe side effects were those of prepubescent age. Thus, despite being highly unethical and illegal, it was decided that the program's trainees be drafted as children and augmented as they began to reach puberty.{{Ref/Reuse|journal}}

The SPARTAN-II augmentations included many previously-untested procedures, among them synthetic bone grafts, hormonal supplements, retinal surgery, intramuscular protein injections and major alteration of the subject's nervous system. While the SPARTAN-II augmentations would make the soldier significantly stronger and faster than an ORION operative, this came with a price: out of 75 candidates, only 33 survived the augmentation procedures, with the rest either killed or maimed for life. However, the Spartans who did survive became the most effective soldiers to be ever fielded by humanity, with superhuman strength, reflexes and stamina as well as virtually unbreakable bones. To complement their biological augmentation, the SPARTAN-IIs were given state-of-the-art [[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor]] which interfaces with the wearer's nervous system and greatly boosts their strength and speed. When paired with a [[smart AI]] through a [[Spartan neural interface|specialized neural implant]], a Spartan's tactical awareness and reaction time are improved even further.{{Ref/Reuse|journal}}

==San'Shyuum==

 

==Other examples==

Sangheili have drugs that are used not only for healing, but also for memory improvement and for dealing with anxiety.<ref name="anvil">[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/news/anvil-s-legacy-preview '''Halo Waypoint''' - ''Anvil's Legacy Preview'']</ref> It is common to find all of these varieties of medications in temples built for [[kaidon]]s, which traditionally have been visited by them prior to planning a military campaign.

As an idiosyncrasy of their warrior culture, the Sangheili view the notion of doctors as dishonorable.<ref>'''Halo: The Cole Protocol''', ''page 143''</ref> However, as injuries are an inevitable byproduct of combat, the Covenant military still employs a number of medical amenities. Among these are [[automated surgery suite]]s, featured on Covenant ships to treat wounds received in combat,<ref>'''Halo: Contact Harvest''', ''page 259''</ref> and [[magnetic splint]]s which are used to hold broken bones in place.

Covenant strikecraft [[pilot]]s connect to their flight systems using direct [[neural interface]]s, which employ very minimal safety cutouts or filters. The pilot's body is rendered immobile to prevent self-injury and agony is inflicted in exchange for superior control of the ship. The [[Sangheili]] enter battle-meditation before completing the machine link protocols to control the pain, while [[Jiralhanae]] pilots embrace the interface burn to trigger their own focus.{{Ref/Reuse|WFSeraph}}

 

During his service within the [[Covenant]], [[Jega 'Rdomnai]] was a member of the [[Silent Shadow]], a unit within the Covenant's [[Special Operations]] branch. During one of his missions, he lost his left arm and left mandibles. 'Rdomnai had the two replaced with prostheses, despite robotic replacements being antithetical to Covenant tradition and principles. The injuries also gave 'Rdomnai a lust for battle and vengeance, both of which completely outweighed his own pride in his own Sangheili culture.{{Ref/Site|Id=ign|URL=https://www.ign.com/articles/halo-infinite-campaign-get-to-know-jega-spartan-killer-ign-first?utm_source=twitter|Site=IGN|Page=Halo Infinite Campaign: Get to Know Jega, a ‘Spartan Killer’ – IGN First|D=9|M=11|Y=2021}}

 

As a crude replication of the technologies used to forge the Spartans, human [[Insurrectionist]]s use "[[Rumbledrug]]s" which degenerate the user's body but grant them superhuman abilities for a short time, potentially giving them a fighting chance against Spartans.{{Ref/Reuse|midlothian}}

 

Following the Human-Covenant War any sufficiently wealthy private party could replicate the effects of the Spartan augmentations. However, cheaper and more invasive augmentations with unknown medical drawbacks and psychological costs were considered more viable given the high cost and amount of effort required to create actual Spartans.<ref>[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/community/blog-posts/canon-fodder-armory-amore 1/22/2016: Armory Amore]</ref>

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