Gypsy

Thankyou for your in depth and helpful reply CraigD. I have spent the days since your post digesting the information and suggestions you have made. And I have made some serious headway into solving problems. Yay! A packet of Tim Tams are your reward. I like this angle too. I've been playing out a number of backstory options, and I've developed a fairly decent one regarding the genetic alterations happening to his zygote. You are correct, highly specified training is the more effective and plausible way of creating a super solider. I am however, still thinking of running with a combination of training and genetic alterations, but limiting the number of alterations. I'm thinking of keeping the muscle enhancement via blocked myostatin production, as we already know that this is possible in humans. I'm also going to keep the 'warrior gene' but limit it to the one and make it already part of his DNA (they didn't introduce it - so did they miss it??? :o Stay tuned!! ). This helps another element in my plot development, and steers it away from any 'Incredible Hulk' aggression-related similarities. :) I'm also definitely keeping the unihemispheric sleep ability. I know humans that can make cups of tea and hold conversations whilst sleep walking, so perhaps it isn't such an unbelievable reality. And besides, it's just way too damn cool not to have it!!!!! B) I am glad my biochemical stuff appears correct - with all the reading I've been doing I feel like I've been studying for Year 12 final exams! And yes, I am here for criticism and correction, all this biochemical stuff is not my field of expertise (I'm not even sure I have a field of expertise!?) Yes, I deliberately haven't mentioned any non-biological enhancements as I didn't want him having any. I was trying to stay away from the Van Damme UniSol-type soldier, and for a reason. This guy is the result of unauthorised (?) experiments performed by a high covert project. This guy has to be able to infiltrate criminal organisations, countries of 'concern' etc - he needs to look normal. I've had all sorts of wonderful ideas involving nano technology and brain implants and computer chips and kick-*** weapons....but that's not really where I wanted to go with him. (Hmmm - I might have to create a different character to use all this fantastic technology and the genetic enhancements I ditched.......so many ideas.......) So are there traits that I should be amplifying to create a super soldier? What areas have I missed, do you think? I am not against the idea of nanites, if it will help create and sell the idea of him being this super soldier. I was trying to keep him a 'complete' human, but I may need to forego this, and introduce some implant technology. I'm not sure. I got the idea for the 'warrior gene' from an episode of CSI that aired here a couple of months ago. The killer in question was trying to convince a jury that he couldn't be accountable for his actions, his 'warrior gene' made him do it. It was then that the CSI investigator explained to the jury that he also had the 'warrior gene' and yet he wasn't a serial killer, he had made the choice to be good, to do good. You may or may not know what I'm referring to. This was the light bulb moment for me. Without giving away the story this was the key piece I needed for the audience to 'like' him. Yes, he is the ultimate antihero - he murders, tortures, threatens, extorts, etc - but he's doing it to rid society of the unwanted - murderers, rapists, drug dealers paedophiles etc. My guy is choosing to do good on behalf of the good people in society, therefore we forgive him for choosing such a violent, and normally, society-rejecting approach - we actually champion his cause. As you correctly said, training is the key and his training is extreme - military training from Army, Navy, Marines; special operations training, stealth and infiltration training, hand-to-hand combat, several martial art forms. He has had weapons training (skilled marksman) but his skill at hand-to-hand combat is his trump card. I agree that his training and how he thinks as an individual is the more likely road for super soldier creation. But I would like to combine this with his genetic alterations, making his existence and creation both possible and highly unlikely at the same time. I think he will require training to be able to direct this aggression to the correct party - I'm thinking some kind of extreme mental training, but not as far as hypnotism or brain washing. My main point is as the story progresses, he begins to understand that he does have control over who he is, he controls his actions, his decisions. I just don't want to get too heavily into the whole brain manipulation scenario, it's too complex for what I'm trying to do. I'm going to have to do some more thinking on how he is trained to control and target his inherent and learned aggression.

I wish!! I've had to re-read and google stuff so many times just for me to understand what people are saying. *sigh* If only I was smarter........ So if he were placed into a hyper-extended sleep phase, I could bring about this progeneration or replication? In which copy number variations could be used to enhance and duplicate the specific cells they want, after which the 'least fit' ones die off, leaving the new, enhanced ones. Yes?? Once he is in the hyper-extended sleep, how would the body's replication phase be accessed/started? How would I replicate his cells? I only want to increase the speed with which he recovers from injury. If he cuts his finger, then the speed at which it heals would be greater than that of a normal human. Not superhuman speed, I mean, if he loses his arm, that's it!! He's not getting another one!! More that his body's reaction and healing process reacts quicker. He's not a T-1000 or Jeebs. :) Perhaps I should be increasing the number of, or expression from, the cells that promote healing??

Monte Carlos are in the bikkie tin over there *pointing* Righto, on with this thread!!! As stated previously, I am starting this thread in order to gain some understanding, clarification and confirmation of the reading I have done in the past few weeks, as I attempt to develop a 'plausible possibility' for the origination of my super-soldier-type character in the piece I am writing. For those not up to speed, check here for some background information on me and my goal. I have been studying information in a number of areas from epigenetics, genetic engineering and human enhancement as well as retroviruses, DNA and behaviour, as well as numerous other areas. Nearly all of it has been way over my head, but after many re-readings, I have garnered enough information to take a stab at how this could possibly come about. I apologise for the lack of correct terminology and my 'simple' understanding of the area. I have tried to write this in the least offensive way possible, while still being understandable for myself. Here is a list of the features for my human guinea pig, and how I think they may be implemented. This is not set in stone, but I am trying to keep it within the realm of believable. 'Plausible Possibility', remember? Muscle Strength Enhancement - mutate DNA segment or block the production of myostatin to prevent limitations on muscle growth; increase the expression for the metabolism gene (DNA methylation?) Greater Endurance - would come with the increased metabolism? Cognitive Enhancement - alter the genes that alter the brain's supply of neurochemicals (hormones, enzymes, neurotransmitters) - DNA methylation? Ability to operate without sleep for days/needing only a few hours at night - 'turn on' the gene that allows unihemispheric sleep, as well as adjusting the number of hours needed each night to 3, maybe less? We are talking about long lost genes in our 'junk' DNA here Greater metabolic energy - increase the expression for the metabolism gene Immunity to Pain - 'turn down' pain receptors (methylation) and increase interactions between the nervous and immune systems (enhance opioid production from immune cells) Enhanced Sight and Hearing, Agility and Reflexes - increase the genes parameters Enhanced Healing - 'turn on' the lost gene for rapid regeneration Increased Aggression - one of my first thoughts was for him to have the MAO-A gene mutation, as well as the violent upbringing to cause the extreme aggression. Could I introduce two MAO-A gene mutations, making him more aggressive? I am not talking about serums or exposure to certain rays. He is still human, he can be killed just the same as anyone else. He is not immortal. My problem however is time. At what point would these genetic alterations have to take place? My understanding is that the introduction of a new gene would only be apparent in successive generations. Do I need to use artistic license here to speed up the process? Or could a retrovirus containing all the changes be introduced, making sure that the virus is not transferable to others? Will I have to create more of a backstory if it must be introduced via mother or grandmother? Or have I got the wrong end of the stick completely? My limited knowledge of the 'how' process is making it difficult for me to understand the significant steps forwards being currently made in these fields. :unsure: I understand that I may need to use more artistic licence than I originally hoped. Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated. Miss Gypsy

Wow, I've really opened a can of worms for myself.....I feel like I'm back in high school studying for my final exams - and nothing makes sense!!! :eek_big: You guys are seriously clever to understand all this. Thanks for the epigenetics tip Essay. I had been looking into 'junk' DNA, and what potential could lie within. Now that I've read up on epigenetics and how it works, I may have just found my way of turning on some of these dormant abilities. I am hoping to start my thread today, if not then probably over the weekend. I still need clarification about a number of issues, plus I now also have my own personal dilemma with my character regarding how 'modified' he becomes. It's not a 'hardware' issue, I won't be using any exoskeletons or computer chip implants (I don't think?); it's a 'software' issue, as in mental/emotional. Getting the balance right between too little modification (pointless and boring) and too much modification (non-human, unable to interact) is something I'm spending night after night trying to get right. Plus there's learning all these new terms, and theories, and mechanisms, and transposons, and methylations, and....... My head hurts........

Thanks for the warm welcome guys! :D Ginger snap anyone? Thanks Jay-qu. It's not so much as being shy, more that I don't want to offend anyone with my lack of knowledge. I thank you, CraigD, but trust me, there is no humbleness here. I really am not that clever. My family are continually shaking their heads at me, with a sort of 'how-in-the-hell-did-she-come-up-with-that???' look on their face. I am the quirky, nerdy, geeky 'entertainment' of the family. Perhaps that's why I am such a good writer?? All I am hoping for is that my 'layman's terms' do not stand against me. And on that note, the issue of being 'not well read' - is complete and past. :) And it's not superior geekiness, just survival. I hated that dianoga growing up, Dad jumping out from behind the couch probably didn't help there. That, and Skeksis. *shudder* I hate Skeksis. It wasn't only biological plausibility that Universal Soldier didn't worry about - I think the acting level may have taken a hit, too. :rolleyes: I have not heard of the texts you mentioned, but I am definitely going to look into them. Any material on the matter is welcomed, as it will help define this character. I realise that I am approaching the Super Soldier idea from a difficult angle. A 'plausible' biological explanation for human genetic enhancement????? What was I thinking?? But I know what I was thinking - this guy is still human, so I want to explore the emotional element as well as the scientific. I am currently bringing together 'my' research on the area (read that as 'trying to sound somewhat proficient in the area'), hopefully within the next few days I will start a thread on it in. Biology, yes? More cookies as well, I promise. Do you think you can hold on until then?!!?? :)

As in chocolate chip, not the HTTP kind.... Anyway, my name is Miss Gypsy. I did a Google search for 'Super Soldier Serum' and conveniently it brought me to a thread on this site entitled, funnily enough, 'Super Soldier Serum'. I read it and other posts throughout the forum and discovered a wonderful collection of fantastic minds!!! Which, however, mine is nothing like. I am a writer, of fiction, and am currently working on a characters' background that I felt I needed to do some serious research on. I am looking to create a 'plausible possibility' for his genetic makeup: that is, I would like to limit how much artistic license I use (no gamma rays, adamantium, or vibranium, although that would be cool). I am not well read, trained in or studying any of the sciences. Most of what is said will be completely over my head, but of my reading that I have done so far on the topics of genetic engineering, human enhancement, gene therapy, recombinant DNA, retroviruses, I hope to not clog your brilliant minds and try to hold my own in discussions. So, something about me now. Let's see: I am a qualified automotive spraypainter. I attended university for 5 years (but did not complete). My favourite 'superhero' is Wolverine (Wonder Woman and Captain America are battling it out for second). Thanks to my Dad, I grew up on a delicious menagerie of what my Mum called 'the oddball": Doctor Who, Labyrinth, Monty Python, The Dark Crystal, Phantom comics, Red Dwarf, Commodore 64's, Tolkien - basically I'm a nerdy child from the 80's. I have a pathological fear of garbage recyclers (dianoga's could be anywhere). I am a revhead: Goes fast? Check. Sounds good? Check. Burns rubber? Check. My favourite food is chocolate. I follow the Brisbane Lions AFL team (don't bother looking up their stats for this season so far - big fat 0!!) So now that the movies' over, the credits are rolling and the ushers are trying to clean popcorn from under your feet, I will say goodbye for now. I hope to meet many of you in my quest for 'plausible possibility'. Oh, and I will bring cookies for the all nighters. So long and thanks for all the fish Miss Gypsy