Quoted By:
As with your ancestor-self, you have an idea for advancing the Hegemony- the <span class="mu-i"><span class="mu-s">Vetuck Gene Project</span></span>. This project would isolate one gene of the Vetuck, converting it, and adding it into the genome of the next generation of Jaxtians- slowly spreading through your population as with any random mutation- beneficial or diseased.
There are three genes you can see yourself finding and isolating within the Vetuck. It will take quite a long time, perhaps your entire working career, but you can be sure that the Hegemony's genetic program will advance under your stewardship.
The first is to take some of the gene sequences related to <span class="mu-i"><span class="mu-s">size and gigantism</span></span> and adapt them into Jaxtian DNA. Increased size isn't necessarily desirable for a space fairing, gun-toting species like the Jaxtians in the first place... which is why you had the idea to piggyback the gene along with your species Alpha phenotype. With many of the square-cube health and longevity concerns addressed, you could safely increase their size even further. This may come with unexpected side effects- but unlikely to increase aggression (they have enough testosterone already)- but your Alpha males will be even larger and stronger. As far as ground troops go, you don't think any species known in the galaxy would be even close to a match. In fact- you'd reckon one of your Alphas could beat juvenile worm to death with his bare blue hands.
The second is related to health and diet- the <span class="mu-i"><span class="mu-s">grain and gut flora</span></span> genes. By adapting these to work with Jaxtian DNA, you could make Jaxtians capable of processing grains better- you still would lack the multi-chambered stomach to digest grass, but food and health would be improved. While the Vetuck themselves have shorter life expectancy to Jaxtians due to their horrible living conditions and big bodies- you think this could actually extend the life expectancy for your own species.
The third and final concept is the most abstract- but the <span class="mu-i"><span class="mu-s">herd mentality</span></span> of the Vetuck may be something you could isolate... but the question is, would you want to? Vetuckers live in much more tightly knit social groups then Jaxtians did as they evolved, and this continued into today. The Vetuck brain is wired more towards socialization, and their species emits pheromones to belong and stay within a social group. If this gene was added to Jaxtians- you'd imagine that rebels and resistance to the Hegemony and its ideals would become even less common... but that's mind control. That's wrong. You can't in good conscious even mention this possibility to his highness. But your species already possesses the biology for socialization. Mirror neurons and mammalian protective instincts... this is just the same. Free will only exists in a context anyway.
What are you going to dedicate yourself towards?
>Size & Strength for Alphas
>Gut Adaptation
>Herd Mentality
