Chapter 14: Gene-Seed

"Gene-Seed?" Alexia was stunned, clearly hearing this concept for the first time.

"That's right," Samuel nodded slightly and explained, "The serum extracted from my blood can't be used on normal humans. For ordinary people, it's more like a lethal poison. The key reason the Reconstructed Warriors can adapt to the serum is that they are already dead. Although the body retains some activity post-mortem, the immune system quickly fails, preventing rejection and other side effects.

However, even if perfected, Reconstructed Warriors are still living dead, devoid of independent intelligence or beliefs, and are merely disposable weapons for dealing with superhuman scum or suicidal missions."

"That's true..." Alexia agreed, adding, "As for Vought International's Compound V... Although we don't have a physical sample, my hypothesis is that it's a hormone that disrupts genes and triggers latent human potential. However, this hormone acts randomly and can't be programmed, or Vought would have mass-produced Soldier Boys long ago and wouldn't need to disguise their experimentation centers as orphanages."

Listening to the young bioengineering director's disdain for Vought and Compound V, Samuel placed his hands behind his back, neither commenting on Alexia's views nor intending to be cryptic. He explained, "Compound V was never a priority for me. Previously, you only had my blood and genetic samples, but now, with Saint Gillies and Robert, we have more material and samples, representing more possibilities.

Therefore, I want you to use cloning technology to clone my and their bodies for experimentation, attempting to cultivate a gland that carries genetic information. Then, select adolescents aged 8 to 11 with suitable physique and genes, and implant the gland into their bodies. The modification will be slow and safe, gradually adapting their bodies to possess far superior healing, strength, speed, and reflexes.

After they reach adulthood, a comprehensive modification surgery will significantly reduce the mortality rate. I envision that by the time the first batch of super soldiers can be deployed, Dr. Wang's research department will have developed specialized power armor and weapons, making these adapted individuals true super soldiers.

This gland will mature twice, at ages 22-25 and 32-35, allowing us to extract new glands from their bodies to implant in and modify more individuals. As more adapted individuals complete the modification, the number of super soldiers will increase, completing the mass production phase.

This is what I mean by Gene-Seed."

Samuel paused, giving Alexia time to process the information. After a moment, he continued, "Of course, this is all my conjecture and hypothesis."

"No... Boss..." Alexia, who had been stunned, now rubbed her temple vigorously with her left index finger.

Suddenly, she snapped out of her daze and hurried back to her desk. She quickly created a new document on her computer, typing rapidly as if inspiration had struck, and said excitedly, "Boss! I vaguely had a similar idea before, but I was young and dismissed it as unrealistic. After hearing your hypothesis, I realize this approach has great feasibility!"

Seeing Alexia enter a frenzied state, Samuel turned away, somewhat speechless. He hadn't expected her to have had similar thoughts about the Gene-Seed concept. Based on his psychic sense, Samuel could tell that Alexia's excitement was mainly due to the new challenge this posed, which greatly appealed to her as a genius seeking to accomplish the seemingly impossible.

Regarding cloning, the first cloned mammal, Dolly the sheep, was successfully created in 1996 in Samuel's original world. In the main universe, most top pharmaceutical companies had mature cloning technologies, with Atlas applying them to the Reconstructed Warrior project.

However, both cloned sheep and humans faced the problem of "premature aging." For example, while a sheep's lifespan is typically 12 years, Dolly showed symptoms of old age, such as severe lung disease and arthritis, at six. She was eventually euthanized to alleviate her suffering.

Atlas, due to Samuel's significant investment, had made breakthroughs in nuclear transfer technology, but the failure rate for cultivating synthetic oocytes remained at 77%. Even if embryos were successfully cultured and cloned creatures "born" using artificial wombs, over 70% of these clones had severe defects or died shortly after birth.

Cloning humans presented even more problems. Unlike animals, humans have "intelligence," and while cloned sheep could eat and reproduce based on biological instincts, cloned humans, although physically the same age as their original cells, had the mental state of newborns. Even with education, they were driven by instinct and could not engage in normal communication.

After gaining psychic abilities, Samuel found that cloned humans were more like "soulless" beings without self-awareness. When the Reconstructed Warrior project was launched, Atlas' bioengineering department had tried cloning using his cells, but the results were invariably deformed or tumor-like tissues.

However, if the goal was cultivating Gene-Seeds, such deformities and tumors were not a concern.

Just then, a loud cry startled Samuel, who was about to leave the office to inspect the facility. He quickly entered the partitioned area through the automatic door.

Between the two cribs, he found both children awake, with Robert's cries being the loudest.

However, upon seeing Samuel, the children immediately smiled, reaching out with chubby hands, seemingly wanting their father to hold them.

Seeing this, Samuel turned to Alexia outside the partition and instructed, "Complete the Reconstructed Warrior project before starting the new super soldier project. There's no rush, and... do not attempt to clone Saint Gillies and Robert at this stage."

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