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Biological augmentation: Difference between revisions
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{{Era|Human|UNSC|HCW|Post}} | {{Era|Human|UNSC|HCW|Post}} | ||
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. | 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> | ||
==History== | ==History== | ||
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===SPARTAN-II=== | ===SPARTAN-II=== | ||
[[File:Prologue - Spartan augmentation 01.jpg|thumb|250px|[[John-117]] being prepared for his augmentations | [[File:Prologue - Spartan augmentation 01.jpg|thumb|250px|[[John-117]] being prepared for his augmentations]] | ||
{{Main|SPARTAN-II augmentation procedures}} | {{Main|SPARTAN-II augmentation procedures}} | ||
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," this being based on the fundamental flaw of the augmentation procedures performed on the ORION soldiers. 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 name="journal"/> | 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," this being based on the fundamental flaw of the augmentation procedures performed on the ORION soldiers. 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 name="journal"/> | ||
While the SPARTAN-II augmentations would make the soldier significantly stronger and faster than an ORION operative, this came with a prize: 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 | 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 prize: 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 name="journal"/> | ||
According to the [[Librarian]], a ''[[geas]]'' she planted in the human genome 100,000 years earlier motivated humans to begin developing the Spartans' performance-enhancing technologies.<ref>'''Halo 4''', campaign level ''[[Reclaimer (level)|Reclaimer]]''</ref> There are certain passing similarities between some of the Spartans' augmentations and the [[Forerunner mutation|Forerunners' mutations]], particularly those of the [[Warrior-Servant]] rate; namely the physical and neural enhancement present in both. | According to the [[Librarian]], a ''[[geas]]'' she planted in the human genome 100,000 years earlier motivated humans to begin developing the Spartans' performance-enhancing technologies.<ref>'''Halo 4''', campaign level ''[[Reclaimer (level)|Reclaimer]]''</ref> There are certain passing similarities between some of the Spartans' augmentations and the [[Forerunner mutation|Forerunners' mutations]], particularly those of the [[Warrior-Servant]] [[rate]]; namely the physical and neural enhancement present in both. | ||
===SPARTAN-III=== | ===SPARTAN-III=== | ||
[[File:BirthOfASpartan - AugmentationCarter.png|thumb|250px|[[Carter-A259]] undergoing his augmentations]] | |||
{{Main|Project CHRYSANTHEMUM}} | {{Main|Project CHRYSANTHEMUM}} | ||
Initiated by [[James Ackerson|Colonel James Ackerson]], the [[SPARTAN-III program]] built upon Dr. Halsey's pioneering work on the preceding SPARTAN-II project. The new augmentation set represented a major improvement over the previous program, all the while being cheaper than before: much less surgery was required, with most of the enhancements administered via chemical means. The selection criteria could be loosened, and the procedures' mortality rate could be eliminated to zero. Despite this, the resulting soldiers were in many ways equal to the SPARTAN-IIs, barring the latter's superior equipment and experience.<ref name="goo63">'''Halo: Ghost of Onyx''', ''page 63''</ref><ref name="GoO102">'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''pages 101-102''</ref> | Initiated by [[James Ackerson|Colonel James Ackerson]], the [[SPARTAN-III program]] built upon Dr. Halsey's pioneering work on the preceding SPARTAN-II project. The new augmentation set represented a major improvement over the previous program, all the while being cheaper than before: much less surgery was required, with most of the enhancements administered via chemical means. The selection criteria could be loosened, and the procedures' mortality rate could be eliminated to zero. Despite this, the resulting soldiers were in many ways equal to the SPARTAN-IIs, barring the latter's superior equipment and experience.<ref name="goo63">'''Halo: Ghost of Onyx''', ''page 63''</ref><ref name="GoO102">'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''pages 101-102''</ref> | ||
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===SPARTAN-IV=== | ===SPARTAN-IV=== | ||
{{Main|SPARTAN-IV Augmentation Program}} | {{Main|SPARTAN-IV Augmentation Program}} | ||
The [[SPARTAN-IV program]] was the first supersoldier project after ORION to use volunteering adult subjects, something that had been discarded in the previous programs due to the technological and psychological challenges involved. Their augmentations incorporate versions of many of the procedures used in the preceding programs and add several new enhancements as well, including improvements to the subject's internal organs.<ref name="HI2">'''[[Halo: Initiation]]''', ''Issue #2''</ref> | The [[SPARTAN-IV program]] was the first supersoldier project after ORION to use volunteering adult subjects, something that had been discarded in the previous programs due to the technological and psychological challenges involved. Their augmentations incorporate versions of many of the procedures used in the preceding programs and add several new enhancements as well, including a number of improvements to the subject's internal organs.<ref name="HI2">'''[[Halo: Initiation]]''', ''Issue #2''</ref> | ||
{{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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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 name="midlothian"/> | 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 name="midlothian"/> | ||
==Gallery== | |||
<gallery> | |||
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:HI-SpartanIV-Augmentations-Panels.jpg|SPARTAN-IV [[Sarah Palmer]] undergoing her augmentations | |||
</gallery> | |||
==Sources== | ==Sources== | ||
<references/> | <references/> | ||