I think that in regards to this topic, many people are looking at this the wrong way. Technology in this universe is miles ahead of where it is now. In ME 1, Anderson comments that finding the prothean cache on mars jumped humanities technology forth 200 years. Given this, and how many years this is in the future, new incredible technologies are a given. Research also gains a benefit because different species are able to work together and bring all kinds of new knowledge to the table, also a given.
What isn’t readily known is how much research goes into genetic and bio-engineering. Some have argued that the creation of a hybrid child isn’t likely because there are more pressing concerns in the galaxy than the very small minority of cross-species couples, asari-related couples
excluded because they can breed regardless. Many might not be willing to research into the creation of a hybrid child, but can end up with that result indirectly. Many promising new products and scientific information have their roots in military projects. The internet, for example, was originally, in its previous form, developed by the military but then became adapted and further developed for civilian use. Since then the internet has changed considerably.
So what does this have to do with the topic? This shows that the technology for creating hybrid children could plausibly come from a source that intended to use the information for other purposes. Genetic engineering has already solved a number of problems. In the alliance’s case:
“Most governments provide free assessments and corrective therapy for genetic diseases in prospective parents. This has nearly eliminated everything from cystic fibrosis to nearsightedness.” This is already an indication of changes to what is currently known in genetic engineering, although it is currently being explored.
However, even this has its limitations. Despite how well this works, there are still limitations that could not be addressed so easily within every race. But what one can’t address another might be able to. Sometimes “aliens” have useful genetics that could be adapted to better yourself. So in all likeliness, genetic research is likely being conducted to find ways of using alien traits to address a number of medical concerns and for other genetic enhancement projects, both legal and otherwise.
So what does this matter in terms of plot? As with anything, such engineering could be used with noble intentions or ones far less so. Some are likely researching into this to create such things as “super soldiers” and as potential bio-weapons. Both good and bad potentials are part of the same coin, the potential for a hybrid child being the rim not so commonly thought of.
So then a potential story mission is to investigate a bio/genetic engineering device that has these capabilities. Whether this is new technology, or one created by a previous race doesn’t matter. Sheppard would have to fight his way through enemies also seeking this device for various reasons, such as the Shadow Broker and Cerberus. Who he fights isn’t really important either, but I thought these would be good enemies. After Sheppard finds the device, there comes a debate over what to do with it. Both the potential for good and for bad are stated so Sheppard must now decide what to do with it.
Now, here is where the fun begins! Even though it was designed for different reasons, the possibility of using it to create cross-species children comes up. However, this would receive a small amount of additional, but very interesting, dialog if Sheppard romanced an alien LI (asari excluded). It then turns into a decision on whether or not to destroy the device or keep it, and then how to use it later.
Working the mission this way, different results are able to be achieved based on the player’s personal preference. Those who want to pursue the possibility of using it for medical development could do that, those who want to use it to develop modifications for soldiers and potentially a weapon, could do this, those who want to use it for the hybrid child as a side request could do so, or the player could simply decide that it is too dangerous and destroy it.
This then becomes a mission deemed important in terms of plot that also can have more personal meaning to Sheppard. The way this works is that it has enough options to be used in different ways. You can choose to preserve it for medical research, with or without the hybrid child factor, use it for war, or simply destroy it. This solution should work well for the players, even given differing opinions on the issue.
Naturally the mission doesn’t have to work quite like this, but I think that the general idea is good. It provides something that everyone could enjoy, for one reason or a few. Those who don’t think the technology is close enough to achieve the result, consider this: The Reapers created the keepers using bio-engineering, they also created the husks and the collectors using advanced techniques. Although this differs from the intended use of the device, it remains a stepping stone and leaves the potential for others to also stumble upon some of this field’s secrets.
Even though the player has the option to seek out the hybrid child subplot, it won’t manifest in the story’s quest-line. So then why does it matter? Seeking this option will still provide some interesting dialog with the player’s LI once they have returned to the ship. Additionally, it will also climax within the end movie. One might think that this means the developers will have to make many different ending, but in perspective this isn’t really true. They can set up general guidelines where the issue simply allows all LIs to occupy the same place in the endgame, like what they already do for their in-game movies. A scene involving a child would also work in the same way and not take up too much space.
It has been argued, even if this were legal would it be ethical? My answer is that yes, it is ethical and from a certain perspective not seeking it out would be unethical. Why? Because the issue of “race” often poses a challenge to unity and stability. Sometimes this issue can create problems as the different peoples can be more indifferent to what happens to the others because they are a different race, a different group. Intermarriage has often been a beginning step in resolving differences between these groups who only thought that they were different. In reality they find they are more alike than unalike. This becomes strengthened by the possibility of a hybrid child, said child would blur the walls that divide the different species. It will be difficult at first, such changes usually are at first, but such a development could in the long run benefit the galaxy. Although explaining this isn’t essential to the idea’s potential, I felt it deserved the time to be addressed.
Hopefully this starts to put things into a new perspective. The plan isn’t perfect but the general design should help. I welcome ideas to help improve upon this idea. I know that not everyone will like this, but not everyone is ever happy with anything. Still, I think this is a good compromise. If you must criticize the idea, I ask that you discuss the idea in an overall statement instead of trying to criticize it paragraph by paragraph. It would be frustrating to be criticized with a point that is discussed later after all.
Ce sujet est fermé
Retour en haut
