Genetics: Redux

[K0NFL1QT]

There are many threads like this. But this one is mine.

I'd just like to open a discussion on the matter of Genetics that's not about Hulk and Griefers*. This job has an immense potential for fun and interesting roleplay, but right now is severely hindered by an outdated system. Keep this thread solely to pointing out problems with the current setup and then proposing a fix. Nothing else. Try and keep posts concise, with a problem > solution format, and not a three page essay on the implications of genetic engineering in the future. (Erik)

Here are the problems I have identified with the current mechanics of Genetics;

• Self testing. It should not only be legal for a Geneticist to self test for the purpose of advancing understanding of their work, but it should be considered part of their job. Obviously with the caveat of responsibility and not leaving their lab with unauthorized powers, similar to the dangerous things Toxins and RnD can do. You might give a protohuman lazer eyes, but they're still just going to stand there and drool. You NEED a sentient human to recognize most of the changes and then to use the powers and record their various effects. The inability to use the features of the job leads to problem two.
• Poor roleplay: Considering the rarity of visible 'superpowers', there's rarely any actual scientific roleplay where you hypothesize, test and conclude your findings. You just radiate monkeys until someone needs cloning. If you get a partner, you sit there asking each other if you've found anything useful/interesting and the answer is usually no. This is a symptom of the expectation that a Geneticist will not self test, and hence be unaware of most actual hits, which is problem three.
  
• Relatively no feedback: You can't tell 90% of the things you do to a protohuman, except for the few visible superpowers. Those powers with visible effects do not even need them, with Hulk as the possible only exception. Whether or not a character is a trained Geneticist they will know you have telekinesis by the blue glow around your head, or cold resistance by the unnecessary yellow aura.
  
• Backups: Nobody comes in for genetic backups, and then screams at you when you can't fix whatever they need fixing.

 

Solution;

• More variety in powers and disabilities. I believe there are some powers in the code that are disabled, and this has lead to blocks that do nothing good or bad when activated. We could also make our own, like pressure resistance now we have really deadly pressure effects.
• Remove the visual effects for all powers except Hulk.
  
• Add to the DNA scanner User Interface a gene-reader that can identify mutations/disabilities when they're active. A little box above the eject patients button that shows either 'none', 'disability X' or 'mutation X'. This could be tacked onto the UI screen aswell, where it could output the hairstyle, color, gender, all of that stuff that's decided there.
  
• A cartridge for the geneticists PDA that will forward a genetic backup to the cloning computer remotely when a character is scanned with it.

 

*Yes, Hulk and Griefers ARE a problem, but I think they're largely a symptom of the current Genetic mechanics setup that can be minimized by fixing the system as a whole. All departments, to one extent or another, has the potential for grief. This thread is not for discussing this matter.

[K0NFL1QT]

[*]Add to the DNA scanner User Interface a gene-reader that can identify mutations/disabilities when they're active. A little box above the eject patients button that shows either 'none', 'disability X' or 'mutation X'. This could be tacked onto the UI screen aswell, where it could output the hairstyle, color, gender, all of that stuff that's decided there.

[*]A cartridge for the geneticists PDA that will forward a genetic backup to the cloning computer remotely when a character is scanned with it.

 

If altering the DNA Modifier Console screens is too much, and it probably is, you could combine these two ideas. Create a cartridge that has two Scanner Modes you can turn on/off, one for sending a record of enzymes to the Cloning Console and another to check the target for any active mutations/disabilities.

Then, suddenly, the need for self-testing is gone.