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Biopunk Brainstorming
Topic Started: Aug 5 2016, 04:48 PM (1,336 Views)
Myxini
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Here is a thread for discussing the biopunk/apocalyptic genre setting that has come up in general discussion. If we get enough support for the idea and ideas that are liked, we could potentially turn this into a community cafe project, or (if people consent) one individual could take the ideas and develop them by themselves, posting the results in the cafe afterwards.

Below are the ideas I initially proposed; none are concrete.

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Corecin
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Have you ever been bitch slapped for lack of listening? lack of doing what your told? cuz i'm not far from slapping you
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Myxini
Aug 10 2016, 10:38 AM
I found this video that people may find interesting/inspiring: link
I love that channel. Very informative.

Which continent are you focusing on specifically?
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Myxini
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Corcin
Aug 10 2016, 01:46 PM
Myxini
Aug 10 2016, 10:38 AM
I found this video that people may find interesting/inspiring: link
I love that channel. Very informative.

Which continent are you focusing on specifically?
I was mainly looking at it in terms of what our current genetic capabilities are, as well as the aspects in terms of designer babies and helping fight diseases. Given the time frame we have, most of the stuff we see is going to affect those born into the Bio Age, where designer babies will be a common occurrence. However, once the available resources and technology dwindles, we will see 'normal' babies being born. True, they might have the same immune defenses as their parents, but they won't be as tailored as their past generation could have been.

In general, I feel it would be a good idea for us to compile a sort of summary of our current potential in genetics and medical science, then use that as groundwork for determining how long it might take to create the world we need to destroy.

To address Glarn's ideas, I agree that new zoos would definitely be a thing, but I'm unsure about the invasive species idea. Given our current methods of eradicating things we don't like biologically, I'd imagine that scientists would be more likely to opt for a homegrown disease or parasite instead of a fighting species, due to how previous attempts at introducing species for that purpose have gone.
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trex841
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So, if I'm reading this right...which it's very likely I'm not, In the beginning, the GCI use was rather tame, with stuff like 'strengthening' people and making them overall healthier, creation of more plentiful foodstuffs, and some designer organisms/features on the commercial market. Then everything went to hell, and that's when we start seeing the monstrous hybrids and mobile blobs of meat, right?
F.I.N.D.R Field Incident Logs
A comprehensive list of all organisms, artifacts, and alternative worlds encountered by the foundation team.

At the present time, concepts within are inconsistent and ever shifting.

(And this is just the spec related stuff)
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LittleLazyLass
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So how long did it take for Humanzee's to come about?
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I don't even really like this song that much but the title is pretty relatable sometimes, I guess.
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Myxini
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trex841
Aug 11 2016, 08:40 AM
So, if I'm reading this right...which it's very likely I'm not, In the beginning, the GCI use was rather tame, with stuff like 'strengthening' people and making them overall healthier, creation of more plentiful foodstuffs, and some designer organisms/features on the commercial market. Then everything went to hell, and that's when we start seeing the monstrous hybrids and mobile blobs of meat, right?
That was what I was originally going for. Given the ethical viewpoints on GM today, it would take subtlety and time for it to be integrated into society to the extent that it could lead to global chaos.

LittleIslander
Aug 11 2016, 09:30 AM
So how long did it take for Humanzee's to come about?
I can't imagine it having happened any time soon in this timeline- it depends how long it takes mankind to become accustomed to the idea of integrating human DNA into intentionally living, sentient organisms.

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LittleLazyLass
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I suppose, but seeing as people in the past have already tried it, I imagine someone would do it soon enough; all it would require would be a few nutjobs in a lab; not an approved, co-ordinated effort.
totally not British, b-baka!
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I don't even really like this song that much but the title is pretty relatable sometimes, I guess.
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Myxini
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LittleIslander
Aug 11 2016, 09:42 AM
I suppose, but seeing as people in the past have already tried it, I imagine someone would do it soon enough; all it would require would be a few nutjobs in a lab; not an approved, co-ordinated effort.
That's a valid point. The main issue I imagine would be obtaining access to the DNA needed to create such a hybrid. If we were to place their creation around the time that poachers begin sending samples to black market biohackers, then that would make more sense.

One thing we need to decide on eventually is the full capacity and nature of what can and can't be done with the genetics technology we are working with at the height of its potential. I can try and make a list of this today, but if anyone else wants to have a go then go right on ahead.
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Strigiforma
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Wyrm

Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot

it's not going to get better

it's not.
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GlarnBoudin
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Wait, that was a failure?!
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Strigiforma
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GlarnBoudin
Aug 13 2016, 03:48 PM
Wait, that was a failure?!
I imagine the success had wings that are a bit more functional
... and maybe less mucous

Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot

it's not going to get better

it's not.
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peashyjah
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The wyrm is like a reptile and hagfish fused together! x3
Discontinued projects:
The New Ostracoderms (i might continue with this project again someday)
The Americas (where in 58 million years from now in the future North and South America has both become isolated island continents)



All Expansions (my attempt at expanding the universe of All Tomorrows by Nemo Ramjet aka C.M. Kosemen, started June 6, 2018)
Anthropozoic (my attempt at expanding the universe of Man After Man and also a re-imagining of it, coming 2019 or 2020)
New Cenozoica (my attempt at expanding the universe of The New Dinosaurs and also a re-imagining of it, also coming 2019 or 2020)
All Alternatives or All Changes (a re-telling of All Tomorrows but with some minor and major "changes", coming June 10, 2018)
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Myxini
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peashyjah
Aug 13 2016, 04:16 PM
The wyrm is like a reptile and hagfish fused together! x3
That's because it is.


Genetic potential at height of technology:
  • Selectively modify genes in a developing organism, enabling the removal or insertion of disease immunity, modification of phenotypes, and implantation of foreign DNA
  • GCI enables genetic material from other organisms to be integrated with higher chances of acceptance into other organisms (with greater success the earlier it's implanted- allowing organisms to take on the characteristics of other organisms
  • Greater advancements in transplants and grafting of tissues and structures, enabling the creation of organisms with extra appendages, organs etc. This is the main cause of 'hybrids' akin to mythological ones.
  • Artificial growth of organisms through specialised 'exowombs'; external controlled environments with nutrient drips available.
  • Stem cell technology allows doctors to induce growth of natural tissues to replace wounded tissue, as well as to regrow small parts of people (fingers, bits of organs etc. The 'simpler' the structure, the more that can be grown).
  • Greater social acceptance of physical modifications, and increased prejudiced towards those with physical irregularities (e.g. Dwarfism)
  • 'Mods'; pills, injections, transfusions etc that result in temporary to permanent modifications to humans, such as causing changes in skin tone, immune systems, metabolism, disease suppression etc.
  • Better modification of bacteria through plasmid control and foreign plasmid integration
  • Potentially a cure for cancer? Definite cure for some other notable diseases, though this has given rise to other diseases emerging in their wake. This potentially leads to a form of politically controlled vaccination, in which certain groups are intentionally unvaccinated so that the vaccinated can live happy and disease free, and the diseases aren't given the chance to spread and adapt to combat the vaccinations.
  • Better forms of nutrient supplements and health based foods, as well as commercial food products that are healthier/more nutritious. Cuisine foods could be non-GM, or enhanced with genetic enhancements (ever seen the thing where octopus tentacles move when sauce is added? There's a thing where someone made food move/pulsate in a similar manner- using chemicals in a sauce- which would be interesting).
  • More diverse pet breeds. Designer pets in general.
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xaritscin
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the trilogy of Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld had an alternate WWI scenario where apart from Steampunk/Dieselpunk machines there was a faction whom which Great Britain belonged which used genetically engineered creatures instead of machinery. the first book comes from the Leviathan, a "flying whaleship".

if that can serve for inspiration regarding weaponized animals
Edited by xaritscin, Aug 25 2016, 07:26 PM.
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Corecin
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Have you ever been bitch slapped for lack of listening? lack of doing what your told? cuz i'm not far from slapping you
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Unrelated to that, I have a new name suggestion for ghouls, gnolls, those are mythological humanoid hyenas, which I think fits pretty well.
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Myxini
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Corcin
Aug 25 2016, 07:31 PM
Unrelated to that, I have a new name suggestion for ghouls, gnolls, those are mythological humanoid hyenas, which I think fits pretty well.
Gnolls aren't mythological; they are a creation of the D&D people, with the name originating from a variation of the word knoll. They were however the primary inspiration for the ghouls, so if people wanted to name them gnolls then I wouldn't blame them.
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