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Future Predators of Humans
Topic Started: May 17 2009, 06:07 PM (9,992 Views)
rufus May 17 2009, 06:07 PM Post #1
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I rememebr that once in Peter Ward's book he mentions the differnt things that could possibly thin the human population. He mentioned, then dismissed at once the possibility of a new sort of predator. As he correctly observes, any such predator would be quickly elininated or contained if it started preying on our species. Humans would simply not allow ourselves or our children to become food.

But that got me to thinking. Suppose some future genetic scientist, engineered some sort of future predator to prey upon humans, perhaps as a way of cleansing the population of :defectives" or undesirables". The species could be genetically programed to hunt only humans as a food source. And it might be programed to eliminate only those humans who carried certain traits such as genetic maladies.

This would have to be done in such a way that the human population would not know what was happening, and could not take the action needed to eliminate the predators. This creature would be engineered from humans themselves.The creature could have engineered traits from other animal species, such as camaflauge abilites, and perhaps sonar from bats to stun their prey. BTW, I thought of this idea long before that "future predator" thing from Primeval, and I thought of posting this today, even before I read that other thread.

I also thought of making this idea into a story, in which the heor has to find who is releasing and controlling these predators and how to stop them. I usually try not to bash genetic science in my stories, like some authors do, but in this case the plot would demand that I do have a rogue geneticist.
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colddigger Oct 4 2009, 02:05 AM Post #121
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lol what was the topic again? future human predators? well i suspect it would have a mustache due to stereotype, and would likely use a knife or gun, it would dispose of the bodies by cutting it up and if it was really sick might store the pieces in its freezer to serve dinner guests.
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sam999 Oct 4 2009, 08:46 AM Post #122
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Canis Lupis
May 22 2009, 02:58 PM
The genes you need to genetically engineer a super-predator are:

genes that code for sexual reproduction: this will increase genetic variation, which will create a Creature that becomes increasingly more efficient at catching (and eating) humans.

Bat: their immune system allows them to carry thousands of diseases without being infected. These same genes that code for this immune system will be able to reduce genetic rejection in the Creature.

German shephard: they are extremely obediant to their masters. The genes that control this will prevent the Creature from attacking its creators.

Octopus: their chromatophore-controlling genes will allow the Creature to blend somewhat seamlessly in with the environment. Plus, octopi produce a lot of eggs, which will allow the Creature to reproduce quickly.

Rat: they have an extremely short gestation period, which will help the Creature to reproduce quickly.

Human: we have genes that tell us we need to seek out other humans. With these genes, the Creature will seek out our race.

Cow: they need to eat constantly. These genes in the Creature will force them to need to eat constantly.

Tiger: they are obligate carnivores. These genes will force the Creature to only eat meat.

Polar bear: these are the largest land carnivores on Earth at the moment. These genes will make the Creature large and give it a high metabolism, allowing them to have greater stamina and endurance.

African crowned porcupine: they have the longest quills of any animal on Earth. These genes will allow the Creature to grow quills, preferrably on its head.

Tapeworm: their scolex (head) is barbed and sticks in the organism. These genes will make it extremely difficult for the Creature's quills to be removed.

Poison dart frog: their poison is extremely potent. The genes that code for this, when combined the quills, will create an extremely deadly harpoon for the Creature.

Box jellyfish: these guys also have extremely potent poison, plus they have cnidocytes and nuematocysts. This will give the Creature an instantly fatal poison, with something to help inject the poison into the victim.

Tarantula: they have special muscle cells that allow them to launch their body hairs. These genes will allow the Creature to launch their quills.

Chameleon: they can accurately and quickly launch their tongues at their prey. These genes will allow the Creature to accurately launch its quills at its victim.
I do not think that is how genes work but something with all thouse traits would make a very efectove predator. Could someone make an image of it?
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Canis Lupis Oct 4 2009, 02:11 PM Post #123
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Dinosaurs eat man, woman inherits the Earth.

 I know genes may not work like that, but I was just stating what traits a creature would need to be effective at predation.

Besides, we don't know everything about genes yet. My theory is that almost anything can be genetically engineered. Maybe not with modern technology, but maybe thousands of years in the future.


I'd draw a picture, but:
a) I suck at drawing
b) I don't have a scanner
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sam999 Oct 4 2009, 06:19 PM Post #124
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Canis Lupis
Oct 4 2009, 02:11 PM
I'd draw a picture, but:
a) I suck at drawing
b) I don't have a scanner
Do you know anyone who does not suck an drawing and has a scaner?
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Canis Lupis Oct 4 2009, 06:32 PM Post #125
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Dinosaurs eat man, woman inherits the Earth.

 I don't think so. But you could ask other people on here to draw it.
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sam999 Oct 6 2009, 02:32 PM Post #126
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O.K. Does anyone here want the draw it?
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Holben Oct 10 2009, 03:11 PM Post #127
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Rumbo a la Victoria

 I like imagining creatures from scratch.
Time flows like a river. Which is to say, downhill. We can tell this because everything is going downhill rapidly. It would seem prudent to be somewhere else when we reach the sea.

"It is the old wound my king. It has never healed."
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sam999 Oct 10 2009, 07:31 PM Post #128
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Holbenilord
Oct 10 2009, 03:11 PM
I like imagining creatures from scratch.
O.K. now what have you imagined?
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Holben Oct 11 2009, 02:42 AM Post #129
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Rumbo a la Victoria

 Stuff.
Ten foot jelly beans which eat yoghurt worms, but i doubt i should put that on this site. :(
A primate like creature which spits poisonous saliva? Not knifflig enough.
How about a parasite which creates spores and flings them into the atmosphere, and is immune to fungicides?
Time flows like a river. Which is to say, downhill. We can tell this because everything is going downhill rapidly. It would seem prudent to be somewhere else when we reach the sea.

"It is the old wound my king. It has never healed."
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sam999 Oct 11 2009, 12:23 PM Post #130
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Holbenilord
Oct 11 2009, 02:42 AM
How about a parasite which creates spores and flings them into the atmosphere, and is immune to fungicides?
What does it use to fling them?
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Holben Oct 12 2009, 02:07 PM Post #131
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Rumbo a la Victoria

 Diffusion?
Time flows like a river. Which is to say, downhill. We can tell this because everything is going downhill rapidly. It would seem prudent to be somewhere else when we reach the sea.

"It is the old wound my king. It has never healed."
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Temporary Oct 12 2009, 03:40 PM Post #132
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How about something like a highly compressed tendon? Like a catapult? It just has to launch it into the air, the wind can take it from there.
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Holben Oct 13 2009, 01:32 PM Post #133
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Rumbo a la Victoria

 Good. Good explanation, i'll escape from this subject here.
Time flows like a river. Which is to say, downhill. We can tell this because everything is going downhill rapidly. It would seem prudent to be somewhere else when we reach the sea.

"It is the old wound my king. It has never healed."
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sam999 Oct 13 2009, 03:55 PM Post #134
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Any new critters?
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Black_Panther Nov 10 2009, 01:12 AM Post #135
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Dunno, thinking about the cockroach-mantis-bug-thingy from Mimic.
A nocturnal predator that imitates humanshape and thrives in our cities, would it work?
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