How about a new human-like species born from normal human parents, looking like a regular human at birth, but perhaps developing their genital in a completely different direction at puberty.
These would not be found out, since nothing appear abnormal at first, and after puberty natural shyness and the awareness of being different would ensure that no one saw their genitals.
The only problem would be 2nd generation procreation. Perhaps some sort of instinctive recognition of their own kind based on feromones or something. Gradually they would gather in small invisible communities. They would start to realise that they aren't just freaks, but a separate species. Then they would start an organised effort to find all the mutants born by normal humans and guide and protect them. They would perhaps start to infiltrate governments, military and scientific centers.
Finally, when powerful enough they would either wipe out humanity, or establish themselves as a separate power with states of thei own.
This could be happening right now.
Mankind, of course, would respond by, if detected in the early stages, call it a disease, and start working on some sort of gene therapy cure, thus eradicating the new development. If they managed to establish themselves as a separate species, I would expect a blitz attempt to wipe them out, and failing that, probably a very strained balance of power a la the cold war. In the latter scenario, any new mutant born by humans would probably be taken by the military for research.
I can't help but think of X-men. Some would be for peaceful coexistence, but most human would probably be so scared out of their minds that they'd elect anyone who promised to destroy the abominations.
An interesting point would be, that we would finally figure out how advanced the bio-warfare programs are, since they would instantly try to make a virus that would target only the new mutant genes. It's even possible that if the government found out about the mutants before anyone else, that they would simply keep quiet, engineer a virus and let it loose upon the world, thus killing off only the mutants.
It would be interesting if the mutants revealed themselves while remaining in the general community, and if they were still so similar that we could crossbreed (though that would mean that they, by definition, weren't a new species). Would it result in a world wide lynching or would it be possible to accept them with the usual prejudices for people who are different. I guess that's the question of this entire thread.
The idea of a deliberately engineered new species is interesting. Maybe when it becomes economically resonable for most people, we will start getting fashions of biology instead of clothes. Just like this person I saw on the street the other day, who literally had small horns (Probably some implant underneath the skin). Body manipulation has been done forever with tattoos and piecings as the most prominent. I wonder if people would be able to accept a remake of your DNA as easily.
I think the idea is not as far out as it might seem. All it would take was, like Impulse said, the wealthy, the famous, the stars started doing it. Soon it would catch on and become a normal thing, with children being teased in school if they didn't get the tail-mod for christmas. Seriously, I think that if a large number of celebrities started, it would quickly be accepted, although probably in the same way piercings are now; many would chose not to, but be all for it, some would think it weird, but accept it, some think it was inspired by the devil etc.
The really interesting thing would be if we got so far out that the modifieds could no longer interbreed with regulars, thus becoming an actual new species. If the wealthy were the first to do it, maybe they would try to impose legislation to ban the rabble from getting into the new genepool. Maybe we would really get a master race, with all the millionaires forming the new ruling class. Of course, they already are.
I would imagine that the fact of being genetically separate from the general public would be used as an excuse to do whatever you wanted, even more than today. After all, look at how the human race treats anyone non-human. i don't believe that this is purely a matter of intelligence. As soon as you remove yourself from someone, you can justify treating them like shit. Surely, the new breed would start to think of themselves as vastly superior, just like whites have traditionally done with regards to other races.
This has got to be the longest post I've ever written, so I'll stop now. I kinda let my imagination go a bit, so sorry, if it's a bit unstructured. I hope this makes as much sense to you as it does to me. |
