Mutants from X-Men! by XFanatic

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Mutants from X-Men!

POSTED BY: XFANATIC
UPDATED: Sunday, January 11, 2009 04:16
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Monday, March 27, 2006 3:14 AM

In simple terms a mutant is an individual with traits in their DNA that differ from their genetic progenitors. Mutation occurs in all living organisms and is the normal mechanism of evolution. A small percentage of mutations in nature are beneficial, giving the mutant a significant advantage over the rest of the members of the species. Often this advantage means the mutant will prosper and pass their genes to their offspring, eventually improving the entire species' chances of survival and development. Evolution is an accumulation of these mutant traits, usually along thousands or tens of thousands of years, changing a species to another.

Overview

Sometime, most likely during the last millennium, a human mutant was born with an alteration in his or her DNA that had the potential to give them a significant advantage over the rest of humankind. This 'x-factor', the dominant genetic trait, was passed down to their offspring, from them to their children and slowly the x-factor became widespread. Yet for many centuries the full advantages this genetic quirk gave remained dormant.

It is somewhat of a misconception to call super-humans 'mutants' since this x-factor is inherited from their parents - yet it has become the popular term. The scientific term, however, is 'Homo Sapiens Superior', and they are not mutated humans since in almost all cases the x-factor is inherited from their parents. 95% of the children of a pair of Homo Superior are also Homo Superior, nearly 75% of the children of a Homo Sapiens and a Homo Superior are also Homo Superior. The x-factor seems to defy the laws of genetics.

Although mutants are usually very similar to humans in appearance and psychology, recent studies seem to hint there are also some important differences. Currently technology allows for an electroencephalogram to detect enough of those differences to identify a mutant without the need to perform a lengthy (and incredibly expensive) genetic testing in an 80% cases. Many psychologists support the idea that there are also some important sociological and psychological differences between humans and mutants, although these theories are currently strongly disputed.

However, although mutants are slightly superior to humans along the board, the reason there seems to be such a large gap between both species of humankind is that the majority of mutants manifest extraordinary abilities that seem almost magical to normal humans: the mutant 'Gifts', or superpowers.

Five years ago, and rather suddenly, thousands of young mutants all over the world started to manifest talents that defied scientific explanation. Even now, after countless billions of dollars spent on research, it is still a mystery why mutants have 'superpowers' and why they manifest such a huge variety of abilities. Some theories have been proposed, and the most accepted one is that all mutant powers are just manifestations of the same power, just expressed differently, yet solid evidence to support any theory is scarce.

The 'First Wave' five years ago is now blamed to the synergy effect mutants seem to have upon each other.

Currently is estimated that from one in 25,000 to one in 10,000 persons are mutants (numbers depend on the area, mutants tend to congregate in cities). An estimated 20,000 mutants live in the United States, and 250,000 to 500,000 worldwide (and some studies place the number at twice that). It is a small minority, but a dangerous and vocal one.

History

Extensive genetic and historical research has led to evidence that by 1700 those with the x-factor mutation were incredibly few in number. For the next century and a half, Home Sapien Superior tended to arise in tiny groups within vast geographical areas. Perhaps one in ever 10,000,000 of the world's population carried the x-factor. However, mutations seemed to be clustered together in close proximity, often two or three emerging within a small geographical area. Certain areas became 'hot-spots' for genetic mutation, but these first Homo Superior lived and died without ever manifesting superpowers as we would think of them. However, the dormant x-factor gene was passed on to their children and down the generations. The numbers of those humans carrying the x-factor increased incrementally, but as the Industrial Revolution ensured that traveling great distances became a possibility, they spread further and wider across the planet.

Sometime around the year 1850, the first manifestations of Homo Superior proper appeared and the x-factor slowly started to affect certain people who carried the X-gene. Usually full mutations occured when those with the x-factor were in proximity to others with the same genetic makeup. Because of the rarity of this the numbers were miniscule planetwide. Out of all of those who carryied the x-factor, fewer than one in 500 ever had the advantage of the "synergy effect" and even those were relatively weak. Their powers went mostly unnoticed among the mainstream humankind. Occasionally a mutant would be talked about, usually considered a sideshow freak, or psychic, or saint, or even a god, depending on the place and the time. The numbers of Homo Superior who manifested mutant powers were roughly 1 in 250,000. Out of those fewer than 1 in a 1000 manifested powers to a level comparable with today's levels. Across the entire population of the world there were probably fewer than two dozen mutants with 'super-powers'.

By 1999, the number of mutants born remained miniscule, and alpha to gamma level mutants even fewer. The US is believed to have had less than 1500 manifestations of Homo Superior and less than 150 of those super-powered beings. However, those born with the dormant x-factor were steadily increasing. It can be estimated that one in every 20,000 humans born in the 1980s may carry the x-factor. As numbers increased contact between those with the x-gene became closer. The 'critical mass' of those carrying the x-factor occured in 1999. Due to the synergy effect mass manifestations started.

By the end of 1999 there were many, many reports of superhuman abilities. Hundreds of them, way too many to be just a series of hoaxes. Moreover many of the reports came from physicians, college researchers, policemen and other trustworthy sources.

It appeared that out of the numbers of those born with the x-factor during the 1980s, around half of those actually manifest some sort of superhuman ability at puberty. Around one in every 10,000 people is a mutant proper and this 'new generation' of Homo Superior tends to be much more powerful than their predecessors. Many of them have access to powers and abilities that would have previously been regarded as 'alpha' level.

Against such incredible evidence, there could be no doubt: superpowers are real. Massive research on the nature, causes and consequences of the superhumans started immediately, both private and governmental. Soon enough mutants were all over the TV, magazines and newspapers.

Before the initial shock had time to fade, early in the year 2000, an investigation on reports of monsters living among the 'mole people' of Manhattan led to the "Morlock Massacre". The incident, where a score of 'ugly' superhumans were killed, was highly publicized, and in time became a symbol for the discrimination many mutants face.

The following year also saw numerous cases of mutants abusing their powers to commit crime, or just losing control and causing destruction and death. Although the first Homo Superior had not been very powerful and tended to have purely physical abilities or deformities, it quickly became apparent the power of the superhumans is growing, as well as their numbers. The government took as many measures as possible and specific legislation for superhuman crimes that had been impossible before (e.g. psionic mind control) has been passed or is being developed currently.

Soon, theories about the causes of superhuman abilities began to appear, and the idea of mutation was just one among many at the start. But over the past few years it has become the most popular theory. By 2004, most serious scientists considered the idea that superhumans are Homo Superior, mutant humans, the most likely hypothesis, and there is now considerable evidence sustaining the theory.

Along with this theory, public opinion is divided as to whether mutants will be humanity's next step or their replacement. The suggestion that Homo Superior will eventually replace them as the species in the top of the food chain scares many normal humans.

Although cases of anti-superhuman discrimination has existed from the beginning, only now, when they are starting to be considered a different race than mainstream humanity, it has become a real problem. Anti-mutant groups and lobbies have formed, some extremist politicians claim for legislation, registration and even genocide. Among the mutants there are no few that have raised their voices against humankind, claiming to be the superior species and demanding respect and privileges beyond those granted by human laws.

However, along with conflict there is also a meeting of minds. Civil rights' organizations have taken up the mutant cause despite terrible publicity and some mutants themselves seek to do good despite the intolerance they face. Some people have even turned into mutant groupies, and the internet is host to many who would meet or who wish to become mutants.

Classification

Early in 2003 several experts in mutation from all over the world (in as much people with a couple years of experience could be considered experts) gathered in London to exchange notes and discoveries. From the London meetings several important theories currently accepted by most experts were born, as well as the famous (or infamous) electroencephalogram test that serves to recognize most mutants from their brainwaves (currently positive identification in an 80% of cases, no false positives reported).

One of the most famous and controversial issues during the meetings was the Greek letter classification system for mutants, which attempted to classify all known Homo Superior in a complex scale of positive and negative traits. The complete classification system is rather complex, but the general categories have been popularized by the public, particularly the mutant public.

ALPHA: Alpha mutants have powerful, advantageous mutant traits and no disadvantageous flaws. Perhaps the most feared of mutants, alphas look completely human yet have some of the most powerful abilities recorded. Common belief is that Homo Superior will eventually be formed by all alphas, and therefore alphas are the epitome of mutantkind. Currently it is estimated less than 10% of all mutants are alphas, although given they look human the percentage might be somewhat greater. (Examples of alphas would include Iceman, Storm and Emma Frost, perfectly human-looking yet having powerful super-abilities.)

BETA: Betas are not weaker than alphas in what power regards, but they are not perfect. Along their advantageous mutations they have minor flaws, sometimes merely cosmetic, but that hinders them in some significant way. It is believed about 10% of all mutants are betas. (Examples of betas would include Angel, Beast and Nightcrawler.)

GAMMA: Gammas are also powerful mutants, having some impressive gifts, but along with those powers they also have major flaws that make their lives hard, often miserable, and many times, shortened. Roughly 10% of all mutants are gammas, and they are usually easy to recognize, as they are often saddled with important physical defects. (Examples of gammas would be Marrow, Emplate and Maggott.)

DELTA: Delta mutants lack the impressive powers of alphas, but share their lack of flaws. Deltas are mutants with small abilities of little use under most circumstances. The number of deltas in the world is unknown, but it is assumed they are at least 50% of all mutants, and the number could be far greater because a good number of deltas don't even know they are mutants. (Examples of deltas would include characters like Cypher or Callisto.)

EPSILON: Epsilons are the unfortunate ones among Homo Superiors. Epsilons often have minor superhuman traits, but those are overshadowed by crippling major flaws that makes a normal life for them almost completely impossible. It is believed about 20% of all mutants are epsilons, but often is very difficult to distinguish them from gammas. (Examples would be Beak, Tar Baby and Wither.)

OMEGA: Omega mutants are those with the ultimate power, the baddest of the bad, the supermen of urban myth. 'Omega' is not a scientific classification for Homo Superior, but a popular label that is usually applied to powerful alphas. 'She is an Omega' and 'I have the Omega power!' are mutant slang terms to talk about how 'cool' someone or his or her powers are. Omega, flatscan (derogative for human, does not 'spike' in the electroencephalogram to detect mutants), gene-joke (derogative for mutant), etc, are new terms one can hear in the streets of New York when mutants are talked about.

Synergy

Although mutants have always existed among humans (just like among any species), they were very, very rarely true Homo Superior, and therefore they didn't had superpowers. Homo Superior is not just a mutant, they are a new race of hominid, and they have special racial traits that are just now being discovered slowly. Among some subtle psychological and physiological differences with humans, mutants have several extraordinary, almost mystical qualities, besides their superpowers. For instance: is the proven fact mutanthood is 'contagious'.

Not really, but it seems the presence of 'active' mutants, tends to cause others who have the x-factor to manifest their own powers. This explains the sudden emergence of mutants just a few years ago, not by an insulated event here are there, but as a sudden wave of manifestations that shocked the world. At first there was just a handful of cases, young mutants with weak powers, but in less than a year major cities all over the world had small numbers of superpowered mutants. Then they began to appear in smaller cities, and finally even in rural communities. It took a while to find out why, but now it is know that there is some kind of synergic effect that triggers the manifestation of powers in people that probably would never have manifested otherwise. As mutants became more common and moved among human towns and villages, other mutants became aware of their true nature.

And there is more, of course, it seems mutants have a kind of social instinct that pushes them to gather together. For instance: Mutant couples are far more common that they should give the small numbers and dispersion of mutants, to the point that they are more common than human-mutant couplings. There is some kind of instinct that pushes the Homo Superior together that has nothing to do with pheromones or any other known form of communication and that probably is related to the same x-factor that gives the superhuman abilities. Some sociologists dismiss this later phenomenon as nothing more than the normal minority group social dynamics, but many now theorize there is some kind of psychic connection between mutants.

It is also theorized that mutant powers reinforce each other in some degree, allowing groups of mutant to master their powers more easily and to a greater degree they would when alone. This same synergic effect also seem to make mutants want to form their own communities, often leaving behind their human families, and foster human paranoia to a great degree. Knowing a neighbor has superpowers is one thing, but when said neighbor leaves all his family and friends to live with other 'freaks' to do god knows what things get far more worrisome.

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Monday, March 27, 2006 4:04 AM

RABIT

While I'm a fan of this kind of stuff

, I'm a little confused; why'd ya post text from he Marvel database/wiki ( http://www.marveldatabase.com/wiki/index.php/Mutant)?

Rabit

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Monday, March 27, 2006 4:53 AM

I thought it was pretty interesting

Its an interesting theory, but I don't fully agree. It is maybe possible that someone would be born with a mutation giving them superpowers. And it is possible that this would pass down to their children. But why would the power be different?

And most of the X-men powers are completely impossible (kitty, nightcrawler, collosus, emma, storm, cyclops, iceman etc).

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Monday, March 27, 2006 4:54 AM

XFANATIC

Quote:
Originally posted by Rabit:
While I'm a fan of this kind of stuff , I'm a little confused; why'd ya post text from he Marvel database/wiki ( http://www.marveldatabase.com/wiki/index.php/Mutant)?

Rabit

Actually I'm the person who wrote posted the info on the MarvelDatabase.

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Monday, March 27, 2006 4:59 AM

XFANATIC

Quote:
Originally posted by CS:
I thought it was pretty interesting

Its an interesting theory, but I don't fully agree. It is maybe possible that someone would be born with a mutation giving them superpowers. And it is possible that this would pass down to their children. But why would the power be different?

And most of the X-men powers are completely impossible (kitty, nightcrawler, collosus, emma, storm, cyclops, iceman etc).

The powers could be different because the x-factor in of itself doesn't give a specific power. Every person's genetic code contains the potential for numerous powers.

And the powers of the mutants you mentioned aren't impossible. They would just have to be very, very complicated.

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Sunday, January 11, 2009 4:16 AM

JAYNEZTOWN

wolverine x-men origins

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