We finally no longer had to worry about our species' survival. The days when humanity was at nature's mercy and genetic evolution was left entirely to chance were finally over.
The engineers of our age worked not with steel and concrete, but with genetic sequences every day. With advanced genetic enhancement technology in our hands, we would be able to guarantee a bright future for our people.
-Genetic ascension: engineered evolution
The genetic ascension tradition tree contained five traditions. Only unlocking all of them counted as fully completing genetic ascension. In other words, the Academy of Sciences needed to finish researching five progressively advanced genetic engineering technologies.
They were-
[Genetics Recombination: Basic physiological structures can no longer limit us in any way. Genes in our hands are as malleable as clay beneath a sculpting knife. Effect: Allows traits to be removed or added through species modification.] [Retrovirus Manipulation: Retroviral agents allow our population to adapt rapidly to any environment. Effect: Habitability: +10%.] [Designed Origins: Nature is a blind guide. We have long since outstripped the stumbling pace of evolution and become masters of our own destiny. Effect: Allows population appearance to be adjusted through species modification, and populations to be integrated into or separated from a hive mind.] [Stem Cell Stimulation: Optimizes cloning facilities to enable parallel embryonic development. Effect: Clone vats produce an additional +1.5 monthly organic population growth.] [Allele Expression: Selectively targeted sequences can induce artificial atavism, allowing certain vestigial traits to be expressed. Effect: Unlocks advanced traits for species modification. Organic species modification points: +6. Organic species trait picks: +2. Species modification special project cost: -50%.]
It looked wonderful, didn't it?
Humans could actively add species traits to themselves through gene expression, making their bodies stronger.
But there was no immortality.
Genes could greatly slow