Biological augmentation: Difference between revisions
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{{Era|Human|UNSC|HCW|Post}} | {{Era|Human|UNSC|HCW|Post}} | ||
Several species and civilizations, including [[Forerunner]]s, [[human]]s, and [[San'Shyuum]], have implemented various biochemical, surgical and cybernetic means to enhance the physical and cognitive abilities of biological individuals. | |||
==Forerunner== | |||
The [[Forerunner]]s used artificially-induced [[Forerunner mutation|mutations]] consisting of a combination of genetic engineering, 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> | |||
==Human== | |||
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]]''', ''page 44''</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]]''', ''page 44''</ref> | ||
===Early efforts=== | ===Early efforts=== | ||
Experimentation on the enhancement of the human body and mind has been a known concept since the 20th century. As medical technology and scientists' understanding of human biology continued to improve, human augmentation started to become a reality. The first human bioengineering protocols were implemented when humanity began to [[Human colonies|colonize]] their [[Sol system|home system]]. Due to the baseline human body's ill-suitability for long-duration spaceflight and different planetary gravity conditions, the space explorers and colonists were given biochemical enhancements to enable their bodies to adjust to these challenges.<ref name="enc44"/> | Experimentation on the enhancement of the human body and mind has been a known concept since the 20th century. As medical technology and scientists' understanding of human biology continued to improve, human augmentation started to become a reality. The first human bioengineering protocols were implemented when humanity began to [[Human colonies|colonize]] their [[Sol system|home system]]. Due to the baseline human body's ill-suitability for long-duration spaceflight and different planetary gravity conditions, the space explorers and colonists were given biochemical enhancements to enable their bodies to adjust to these challenges.<ref name="enc44"/> | ||
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{{Clear}} | {{Clear}} | ||
==Other examples== | ===Other examples=== | ||
While easily overshadowed by the Spartans' extensive augmentation, medical, biochemical and technological conveniences do nonetheless have a pervasive presence in various areas of human society. | While easily overshadowed by the Spartans' extensive augmentation, medical, biochemical and technological conveniences do nonetheless have a pervasive presence in various areas of human society. | ||
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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> | 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> | ||
== | ==San'Shyuum== | ||
The [[San'Shyuum]] in the [[Covenant]] used genetic enhancement techniques to augment a number of San'Shyuum into elite supersoldiers known as [[Prelate]]s. The Prelates' augmentations allowed them to overcome the San'Shyuum's natural frailty caused by generations of inbreeding and granted them strength, speed and reaction times sufficient to best even [[Sangheili]] in combat. However, the Prelates could operate at their physical peak for only limited periods of time, with the sustained use of the enhancements bringing with it a variety of dangerous side effects.<ref>'''[[Halo: Shadow of Intent]]'''</ref> | |||
==Gallery== | ==Gallery== | ||
<gallery> | <gallery> | ||
File:Mus aug.jpg|An illustration detailing the muscular augmentations performed on a | File:Mus aug.jpg|An illustration detailing the muscular augmentations performed on a Spartan-II's arm | ||
File:BirthOfASpartan - Augmentation.png|A screen monitoring [[Carter-A259]]'s CHRYSANTHEMUM augmentations | File:BirthOfASpartan - Augmentation.png|A screen monitoring [[Carter-A259]]'s CHRYSANTHEMUM augmentations | ||
File:HI-SpartanIV-Augmentations-Panels.jpg|SPARTAN-IV [[Sarah Palmer]] undergoing her augmentations | File:HI-SpartanIV-Augmentations-Panels.jpg|SPARTAN-IV [[Sarah Palmer]] undergoing her augmentations | ||
