Intergalactic Summit

It seems like Dr. Borkstar had doubts of his own racial identity, and he may have been uncomfortable even in his own skin, so to speak. The surgery may seem unnecessary and cosmetic to the layperson, but we feel that in Dr. Borkstar's mind it was very necessary and a matter of self acceptance and inner peace.

Who is to say we can judge him for the medically gruesome choice? The desperation of the act speaks to how important this sense of racial identity was in Dr. Borkstar's mind. We respect the power of the mind, and the choices people make in the pursuit of happiness.

There are some who label him Apostate and Abomination and other such things. We do not employ, or believe in such labels. All we see is a person who was born Amarr drift away from God. We see this only as a failure of our ability to connect with him, to be his friends, to be his mentors, and to share with him the beauty of our Faith.

It would make for an entertaining direct to VR holoreel. That is for certain.

Also, what has it resulted in? Just because you have a paint and brush, doesnt mean you can make art. Genetic modification to be jovian without the jovian environment, culture or knowledge doesnt mean much.

I would also like to point out, if 99%, that is dramatically different. Even my own genetic code in its unmodified state is much closer...

In the end, it's science; a body is a body, and the Doctor now has a new one, one that seems to be solving some of the problems he's had in the past. After all, we're free as capsuleers to pursue whatever we wish in this sort of field and, though it may seem to be "too much" in some ways at first glance, it's really no issue.

I do offer my congratulations on a successful procedure.

-Uriel

Use of retrovirals to alter genetics in vivo likely wouldn't have quite the effect some are expecting in either the short or long term. Syndromes resulting from the synthesis of proteins incompatible with existing structures in the subject, or failure to synthesize other proteins required by the subject are the most likely result, I believe.

The Jove are, according to all existing knowledge, a race of clones. We don't know what methods are used to grow or assemble them; which organs are grown in the clone body, which are grown outside of the clone body according to other genetic templates, which are purely the creation of artifice, and how integrated cybernetic or artificial structures are with biological structures. It's worth noting that Jovian DNA has been possessed by biotech research firms since at least Misu Baniya's accident in YC106, which means we've had eleven years without a major biotechnology revolution clearly traceable to Baniya's DNA.

While possession of DNA is all well and good, and allows us some degree of understanding of novel proteins or organs formed in accordance with that genetic data, it remains an incomplete picture, with notable gaps in understanding due to unknown structures present in the body and unknown technologies used in the clone's creation.

Even considering this, use of genetic therapies alone will still not be sufficient to create new organs, or to otherwise change gross morphology.

I suppose certain genetic markers have changed, but-- I guess I just don't see the point. I suppose tinkering for tinkering's sake is a fair thing, but I don't see any long-term therapeutic or scientific value to this endeavor. We could find as much out simply by simulating genetic expressions, or engaging in gene therapy with a medical testing clone.

I share your concern Moray, but to my knowledge that condition is genetic.

Congratulations on a successful procedure. Will Borkstar be kept in the labs in the medium term for observation and research purposes?

I say we must research how fast he will become depressed and suicidal. It is very, very important.

How do you perform such tests, hm... I am not an expert, but put him in cage probably?

It is a grievous, grievous sin for a True Amarr — a Chosen of God — to de-Amarrize himself into a lesser bloodline. A grievous, grievous sin.

Apparently it is necessary to once again state that the only involvement that the Foundation and I have in this matter is personal support for Viriel, née Borkstar. We neither endorsed nor enabled the procedure or the research leading up to this moment. The Peione Foundation is a humanitarian aid agency and nothing more. My field of expertise is Military Science, completely unrelated to medicine or genetic research.

There are backup clones on standby, should the worst come to be. This was a point on which I insisted with both the staff of Angels Labs and my dear friend Viriel. Short of actually preventing the experiment itself, which was beyond my control, I assure you all that I and my staff are taking every possible precaution to protect both the physical health of Viriel and the integrity of his (admittedly already dubious) mental well-being.

That said, Ms. Riordan, it surprises me that you of all individuals, as a prominent transhumanist, would take such a strong stance against this experiment. To be frank, it seems to me like something that I would hear whispered rumors of happening in Origin. Please take no offense, as none is intended; it is not mine to judge.

Some people are just too stupid to live.

The Jovian Disease is purely genetic in origin. It's is not a transmittable say in the same way you'll get a cold. Only the Jove have it because through they chose to interbreed through extreme repeated cloning. It has caused irreparable damage to their DNA.

Or simply, the Jovian Disease is what happens when you marry our cousin and then have a kid.