Message from @ebowden
Discord ID: 405933602568667136
It isn't now.
Like I said not a biologist. Thanks for helping me sort this out.
I guess stricly speaking it might not.
So, how does this not spread and turn a shitload of people's babies into furries?
Also, the self-replicating stuff is not in the least bit necessary for when they modify embryos.
Another of the breakthroughs in my notes. While capale of replication the virus that is the foundation of all this tech is not capable of mutation. in the story it is specifically noted the team that cracked that nut got a nobel prize. It infects a cell, and alters that cell specifically. That cell continues to replicated like normal. The initial treatment is what could best be called "queen" viruses. A biological factory that consumes human waste products and produces the viruses proper. These seek out and infect existing cells and are everywhere in the body altering their shape and (to a lesser degree) this tech is, and I feel I need to emphasize. this, imperfect.
Wut
Mutation is just something that happens, not something you are "capable" of.
Unless you have something that is just meant to cause mutations, but that's different.
Wow, it's summer here and Rusty is shivering now he has his fur cut.
The "queens" create the cells that to the alterations on a regular schedule. They always create the same cells. Those cells, the ones that do the alteration, are not capable of replications.
wut
"A biological factory that consumes human waste products and produces the viruses proper."
More wut.
"These seek out and infect existing cells and are everywhere in the body altering their shape and (to a lesser degree) this tech is, and I feel I need to emphasize. this, imperfect."
Why would it be altering cell shape? Patterning is mostly done with patterns of cell growth and apoptosis.
Hilarious.
Lol!
What I'm trying to get across is that the alterations are not self replicating. And there is a mechanism in place to change and alter each cell of the body as it is created. This works best on things like hair and skin. Not so good on things like organs and bone. Especially the nervious system which never grows new cells if I remember right.
Well, you can alter non-replicating cells.
And it does actually grow new cells.
If the virus can replicate, that means you have to deliver a lot less of it, sure.
But then you have to worry about it spreading.
Which I don't imagine is a problem for them.
Which is where the idea for the "queen" cells comes in.
Yeah if they could use this to just turn everyone into a furry they would do it in a heartbeat. It may have even been the original plan. But it doens't work that way.
"A biological factory that consumes human waste products and produces the viruses proper."
Wut
I cribbed that from other SF stuff actually.
I am trying to be gentle with how silly that is.
You familiar with nanotech? Grey goo?
Oh Jesus.
Yes, and this is very stupid.
Well it's not part of the story. Just looking for a way to communicate what I'm trying to lay down.
Something stupid.
Lol
The story has potential, though the details don't make sense.
Like them using stirrups when they are both an eeeeviiiiiiil human invention, and the best way to give birth is to squat.
Right, but the point is that they don't know that.