Restless Souls/Technology: Difference between revisions

The decontamination process is dangerous because all non-animal lifeforms become devoured. If the mycorrhiza or its dangerous DNA strains escape from the defined area, too many lifeforms on the planet would get eradicated. And what could we eat if there’s nothing left but these mycorrhiza?

The Daodan's ability of producing non-random mutations doesn't exist in nature. So, its purposefulness should be the result of something man-made, probably some kind of computer. So far I had doubts that a computer could be produced inside a living system. Certainly, it wouldn't be a computer that has todays dimensions, materials or architecture.

The technological progress goes on and on. Nanotechnology is part of the party. It leads to further minimization of technology, brings new materials, and kicks the door to quantum mechanics wide open.

Ideas and prototypes of [[wikipedia:Unconventional_computing|unconventional computers]] are in development. The size of their logic gates range from [http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111018111929.htm cells], to macromolecules like [http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/02/120217145747.htm DNA] up to groups of only a few molecules. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nano_brain Duroquinone] is an example for the latter. In groups of 17 molecules duroquinone is allegedly able of parallel computing. According to a [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7288426.stm BBC] article that "nano brain" sounds more like it's a signal hub. Another team later designed a molecule that seems [http://phys.org/news/2011-05-molecule-multiple-logic-simultaneously.html more promising].

====Novel ways of genetic protection?====

One idea is to keep the genetic code of Daodan and natural organisms separated: If the Daodan uses another backbone for its base pairs then perhaps viruses wouldn't be able to incorporate their code for reasons of incompatibility. For instance, [[wikipedia:Peptide_nucleic_acid|PNA]] has another type of backbone. But experiments showed that long PNA strains [http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Synthetische_Biologie#Ein_neues_R.C3.BCckgrat aren't stable.] I don't know if there are other alternatives. Furthermore, there are other dangerous substances like toxins so I will bet on an analyzing element. In 2012 scientist succeeded to simplify the identification of [http://phys.org/news/2012-07-scientists-fingerprint-nanoscale-viruses.html nanosized objects]. A minimized version of the device would be an ideal sensor for the Daodan.

A genome can consist of many chromosomes. If all its chromosomes are unique then the chromosome set is haploid. A genome of two sets is diploid, a tripled set make it triploid, and so on.

Polyploidy can result in higher vitality. It can raise the rates of protein biosynthesis due to stronger parallelization of the processes. An already historic example can be seen in wheat. Humans bred wheat whereby they doubled repeatedly the plant's chromosome set to harvest more and bigger grains. Now wheat has 6 sets (hexaploid) each counting 7 chromosomes.

Humans with too many chromosome copies often dies before or shortly after birth or suffer diseases. A non-lethal disease is the Down syndrome which comes from a third copy of the 21st chromosome hence it's also called trisomy 21.

Despite human cells have a diploid genome there are also cell types that are naturally polyploid. For instance this is true for heart muscle cells, liver cells and [[wikipedia:Megakaryocyte#Megakaryocyte_development|megakaryoblast]] (blood-forming cells).

Healthy constellations of multiple sets might be traced back to ''deactivations''.

Example for single chromosome deactivation: In women one of the X chromosomes is epigenetically deactivated. That way men (XY) and women (XX) have both only one active X chromosome and hence they produce nearly the same dosis of gen products from the X chromosome(s).

Example for general deactivations: Epigentic processes like DNA-methylation generate different cell types despite the genetic code is the same in all cells. (Remember the liver cells which are differentiated cells but also polyploid.)

If Daodan cells are polyploid than they would require to deactivate unneeded regions of the other sets. However imposing real standards I think that polyploidy could be never the only reason for the marvelousness regeneration skill of Oni's hypothetical Daodan.

Is Muro's transformation irreversible? Before he transformed he said "You are capable of so much more. Let me show you..." It implies that he has some control over his transformation. How much is not known.

: B) That of A plus more control so he can even untransform.

"Let me show you..." can be interpretated that he already knew how radical his change of appearance would be: he stands in front of Mai as a normal looking man and hence it could be a hint that he's able to revert the transformation.

The time of growth can be seen as another hint for the validity of option B. TCTF staff tried to avoid Daodan power bursts by instructing Konoko to tackle things not too forcefully and they even gave her Sytropin to slow down Daodan growth. But during a few days of combat Mai's Daodan developed fastly nonetheless. For Muro we can assume years of real combat experiences...

From a practical point of view he should be able to untransform because of following reasons.

:- psychologic / social reason: he was only familiar with his human appearance (it could be more ''comfortable'', he probably had the wish to stay human before he became used to it) / identity of and repect for a strong leader, fear of the strikers having a real monster as boss (With reverting the transformation Muro could have given the Strikers time to get used to him and showing them he wouldn't represent a one-way ticket to ''monstrosity'' but to a ''superior being''.)

:- physiologic reason: ergonomy - weapons, cars, mobile phones, door frames, seats, etc are all made in human dimensions ... Wouldn't it be stressful to walk through the land of man as a giant and watching out not to accidentally destroy everything?

:- energy / resource: combat or active Imago skills probably use a lot of chemical bound energy. A human-like form could be some kind of ''energy saver mode''.

It looks like the Imago stage was thought to have unlimited energy and Mai was just lucky Muro transform right before their fight.

* To be honest I don't like at all the point of unlimited energy. I'm rather a friend on realism and would like to keep the laws of nature. Especially the law of the [[wikipedia:Conservation_of_energy|conservation of energy]] and the [[wikipedia:Conservation_of_mass|conservation of matter]]. Energy and matter cannot be created from nothing and cannot vanish to nothing.

* You could say that the Daodan also draws energy from another dimension and instead of ''infinite'' energy there's just more energy available than the DC can use. But still if this becomes reused as ''normal'' energy source you might get weapons that can easily erase Imagos.

When Daodan prototypes grow they express [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_fluorescent_protein#GFP_derivatives fluorescent proteins.]

These proteins are used to destinglish the daodan biomass from the original cells and help measuring cell metabolism which is typically high when the Daodan grows or regenerate (ref. Daodan spikes). The proteins can glow under two conditions: either they are exposed to radiation, which Kerr did in the TCTF lab, or in presence of high amounts of ATP. Hypospray substances trigger the release of ATP no matter wheather the daodan is already healed. That way Hyposprays lead to overpower mode.

For final Daodans it would make sense to not generate any glow since that is a waste of energy.

Radiation and hyposprays can theoretically be abused to drive Daodan's metabolism so high that it release all it energy resources in short time and die of starvation (if it doesn't go in hibernation mode). (ref. Oni3: Konoko awakens from her [[Oni2:Storyline#Mai|coma]]. Maybe she had to fight very long in overpower mode or suffered an emotional-triggered ATP release...)

While the '''Daodan aura''' (a.k.a. chenille) indicates simply a very active metabolism, '''[[Daodan#Daodan_spike|Daodan spikes]]''' might come from the sudden ''implementation'' of a new adaption within the whole Daodan biomass.

:''All skills aside, also the Daodan is bounded to the laws of nature, it's not almighty. Extreme changes of the body in a short time probably requires a static state.<!-- biological development happens mostly in sheltered ''places'' like eggs, amniotic sac, or like in case of butterlies: a Chrysalis (for reaching another development stage. (note to self: for more ideas/recherche: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Developmental_biology#Metamorphosis, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ecdysis -->''

:''In that aspect we might translate the full name "Daodan Chrysalis" as "code allowing metamorphoses to reach new states, each best-adapted to the new present environmental conditions" whereas "Chrysalis" could be also almost literally taken as "Chrysalis" [pupal stage of butterflies]. In this case we think it's some biological material at the body's outside to provides shelter and stability so a major metamorphosis can take place.''

: ''We think that this second ability might exist still hidden inside the code. Single, fast adaptions have been reported; the existence of complete, static transformations still needs to become proofed.''

:''Some part of the Daodan's code aren't fully understood yet. This and the "Chrysalis group" posited hyperevolution makes us slowly believe that the Imago stage isn't the "end". Of course new environmental catastrophes can mean a threat to imagos so a new transformation would become necessary. That's why we think that these cycles aren't limited. However, it might be a disadvantage to lose a fully developed adaption if situation change back then. A storage system might be involved.''

:''DNA methylation and histone modifications can access to the genetic material. For example a modified gene could be copied and modified, then the old version becomes ''switched off''. In later events the daodan could check its registry if there's already a suitable adaption that can be switched on again. This would avoid the necessity to calculate again the needed mutations.''

:''An genetic overload cannot be excluded. But that must be solved by future researchers. Our visionary colleague Dr. Sandström (in memory of [[wikipedia:ReGenesis|ReGenesis]]) points to something he calls "networked Omega Chimera" which makes use of advanced nanotechnology.''

: ''Addendum: After final analysis on xx xx 205x, the suspected ability has turn out to be only our wishful thinking: A storages system for adaption hasn't been found but the idea remains as an idea for a future upgrade of the DC.''

: [http://oni.bungie.org/community/forum/viewtopic.php?pid=26881#p26881 Iritscen's post] on the OCF initiated me to think about following problem.

At new environmental conditions, randomly evolved traits helps members of a population to survive. The survivors then ensure the population's continuity by their reproduction.

The Daodan reacts directly on environmental influences and probably – or largely – doesn't know anymore randomness.

Therefor it's uncertain if the Daodan can manage or allow random recombination of genetic material during the sexual reproduction of Daodan hosts. For the Daodan, there's actually no more necessity for recombination.

So, if no recombination happens, female gamete (egg cells) might become produced with or without genetic material whereby only empty egg cell can accept a male gamete. In any case, the chromosome set is already diploid which means that baby is a genetic clone of one of it's parents. (But you know, the personality is still shaped to a major degree by environment and education.) Contact of male hormones with female gamete (cell nucleus must be presented) marks the cell as fertilized. Implantation and embryonic development follows. The passing on of microbial Daodan symbionts happens during child's birth (...) and by intake of breast milk. ([[wikipedia:Bifidobacterium|Bifidobacteria]] can be taken as kind of RL example).

Real world Parthenogenesis to be added here.

Short term threats: local balance breaks.<br>

A unprobable long term chance: symbiosis at planetary scale - "Gaia".

GV's "Chrysalis" work group thinks that the Daodan will contaminate the environment sooner or later (in case it didn't already happen) because of [[wikipedia:Horizontal_gene_transfer#Prokaryotes|horizontal gene transfer]] causing unseen threats. Hence the Daodan needs a patch. The idea was and is to protect the prime symbiont, the human host. To ensure that the microbial Daodan cells stays only at the human flora these cells need to die in absent of the prime symbiont by dissolving their genetic material with an enhanced lysosome.

This patch solves only one part of the problem. Existing Daodans would be still a permanent danger, especially the unknown number in Syndicate 'property'. In worst case this threat had to be met on planetary scale. This would require full control over all matter and lifeforms. <!-- (Biocontrol) -->

I don't think this will happen in RS but later sequels. It's better to write it down than forgetting it again during time.

* cyborg genes: construction genes which takes care of implants -- nothing special in comparison to our human growth genes -> Omega Chimera

* memory chromosome: nanoscanner collect position and properties of neurons and other relevant stuff and code these information into a new chromosome

* Long-range objective is to create a collective consciousness (via network) called [[wikipedia:Daemon_(mythology)|Daimon]]. <!--(Its success will decide about to create superintelligences and avatars.)-->

The word symbiosis means "living together". If the outcomes are good or not is an other question. However, in daily life symbiosis means a relationship of mutual gain.

The following subsections are meant to show what real symbiosis is capable of and that it exist between very different species. Therefore those sections display combinations of the so-called [[wikipedia:Kingdom_%28biology%29#Six_kingdoms|kingdoms]]. (As a layman I still prefer the older and simpler model.) Unfortunately viruses are unranked so far.

: The problem is that they are neither really dead nor alive. They are ''zombies'' so to say. They do nothing until they infect a suitable host cell and becomes active again. Living things were thought to have always an active metabolism. Then [[wikipedia:Tardigrade|tardigrades]] have been found out to break that rule with their cryptobiosis ("hidden life"). In that stage their metabolism is almost too low for measures [[wikipedia:Cryptobiosis#Examples|(under 0.01%)]]. After that discovery scientists had the rethink the definition of death. The microbes' state of temporary ''death'' became some kind of extreme ''hibernation'', namely cryptobiosis, and some Christians were happy that their religion was the sole promise again for resurrection.

: A virus cannot reproduce itself without a host but that's also true for some endoparasites (parasitic organisms in other organisms). And a virus has no own metabolism but can take over the host's metabolism and organelles. In this view a virus might be a very mean and cleaver bastard but it lives.

: '''From symbiosis to symbiogesesis.'''

: So a virus makes the host its ''own body''; the news are that there also exist symbiotic viruses. These have not taken over a host cell but sorta vice versa: they became fully incorporated into the host's genome. Two examples: First, the [[wikipedia:Polydnavirus|polydnavirus]] inside of ichneumonid (parasitic) wasps is only produced when the wasps lay eggs into a caterpillar. The virus helps the wasp eggs to survive inside the caterpillar by affecting the immune system and changing the metabolism in advantages of the wasp eggs. The second example is about us humans (and all animals with a placenta). The retrovirus [[wikipedia:ERVWE1|ERVWE1]] in our genome merge placenta cells by its produced protein "syncytin" to create a protection layer. That way the embryo keeps untouched by the mother's immune system. Otherwise it could be discovered as foreign body because of the father's genes. The retrovirus gives us an advantage compared to non-placental mammals.

: The polydnavirus is still reproduced but the second virus gave up its independence to the fullest. They, the host and the virus are rather one new organism instead of two. This process of merging organisms is called [[wikipedia:Symbiogenesis|symbiogenesis]].

: '''How much human DNA builds our body?'''

: Incorporation of genetic material happened more than once. When the human genome was [[wikipedia:DNA_sequencing|sequenced]] on a  [[wikipedia:Human_Genome_Project|great scale]], only 1.4% has been found out to encode our ''building material'' - the proteins - the rest appeared to be "junk" DNA. Today we know that 8.5% are old retroviruses (HERVs). -- This brings Agent Smith from the movie Matrix into mind when he [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Na9-jV_OJI classified humans as a virus] because of certain similarities: according to him humans replicated unchecked, consume all resources, and spread to a new area (host) when one area ran out of resources. Now he would have a genetic proof you might think: our DNA is more "virus" than "human". -- Well, the old retroviruses are almost all defective so they don't matter much. Also, noncoding but function holding RNA and regulatory sequences - ''tools'' and ''building instructions'' - have been identified from the junk by now. So, yes, no need to panic, we are still human enough.