They may have done it to me again…
...but this time I’m not sure yet.

Okay so I’m a Star Trek fan – can you ever find it in your heart to forgive me? I’m not one of those weenies that goes to the conventions, and wears Mr. Spock ears when they watch the TV Shows and movies, but I do enjoy the stories.

Well last night was the premier of the latest iteration of the Star Trek franchise. The name of the show is Enterprise, and it takes place before the original series. That is, the original show from the 1960s was set in the 24th century. This show is set in the 22nd century. For reference, we are now in the 21st century.

At any rate, they introduced a new alien species called “Suliban”. They are described as “a deadly species obsessed with genetic enhancement”. Now here is where I think they are stealing another one of my ideas.

I had an idea for a space faring species with similar aspirations. I was developing them for a story idea. They could be based on humans, or humans could encounter them, I hadn’t decided. But the premise is that they had conquered the genome, and were using it to their advantage. Don’t let that sound too far fetched to you, we’ve just about done the same, but haven’t started using it to our advantage.

Here is how they work:
Someone identifies a trait held by another species and suggests that it would be beneficial to include in their own species – for instance, sharks have a natural resistance to cancer. Research is done into the pros and cons of adding this trait to their genetic code.

An elected council of scientists votes on whether or not it should be added.

If it is to be added, all conceptions from that point forward will be altered to include this piece of genetic code.

That’s the important part. Nothing can be done to change people who are already conceived and born. This change will only effect the next generation. As a result, a child’s DNA is not a complete match for its parent’s. And the strand of DNA that has been changed might affect other things aside from those that were intended. For instance, by using shark DNA, in addition to having a natural resistance to cancer the next generation might also have tough skin and cartilage running down their spine. But the point is, that they will be different from the previous generation.

And of course, their children will deviate even further from their DNA. Technically each generation could almost be considered a new species, especially if there are numerous external manifestations.

The implications and story ideas for this are overwhelming:

there is no set picture of what this species looks like the opportunity for evolution-based prejudice are astounding

there can be sects that chose to stop adhering to the process – depending on when they stopped they could look and act very different

there can be sects that disagree when the council decides that inclusion of new DNA is a bad idea, and they include it anyhow

there can be colonies stranded on planets that are either several generations behind the home world, or who have included indigenous DNA from the colonized world

This is easily one of my character ideas yet because there are so many places I can go with it. I’ll be more than a little ticked-off if they’ve managed to steal this one too.