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16->''"If you can't build a better mousetrap, build a better mouse."''
17-->-- '''Daoming Sochua''' -- ''"Scientific Morality Vol. I" (Designer Lifeforms)'', ''VideoGame/CivilizationBeyondEarth''
18
19The biological counterpart to {{Cyborg}}ing: instead of altering humans to add machine parts, the geeks in the lab-coats change the flesh, blood and DNA.
20
21Genetic engineering and stem cell research opens new avenues in the way science. For ScienceFiction writers, this can be extrapolated into a way to create modified humans to suit any environment. You could think of them as artificially created {{Mutants}}, but "artificially created" is the key to the definition. They're created on purpose, not by freak accident like [[ComicBook/TheIncredibleHulk being bombarded with gamma radiation]] or other exposure to GreenRocks.
22
23On the mild end, this can entail things that, if current medical science keeps trending the way it does in RealLife, may not sound all that fantastic in a few decades: limb grafts, biological prosthetics and less visible gene mod enhancements that make people smarter, stronger and better at stuff. Further down the fantastic scale you start to get genetic [[StockSuperpowersIndex superpowers]], quick and easy drastic cosmetic changes from plastic surgery on up (want green skin and spots? No problem!), extra limbs and stuff that makes humans look a lot more like aliens than most HumanAliens.
24
25Can be combined with {{Cyborg}}ing for even more body mod fun. Certain types of FunctionalMagic may accomplish the same thing but many or most of them are better listed under MixAndMatchCritters or HybridMonster, and of those remaining, should be looked at with ClarkesThirdLaw in mind. Is a newer trope than cyborging because GeneticEngineeringIsTheNewNuke (and shares some but not all examples with it). Also see OrganicTechnology, LegoGenetics, MagicGenetics, SuperpowerfulGenetics, MixAndMatchCritters, ArtisticLicenseBiology, DesignerBabies, BioPunk, and its SuperTrope, {{Transhuman}}. Can overlap with the [[StockSuperpowersIndex Stock Superpower]] of {{Biomanipulation}}.
26
27----
28!!Examples:
29[[foldercontrol]]
30
31[[folder:Anime & Manga]]
32* ''Manga/{{Appleseed}}'' has "bioroids", {{Artificial Human}}s with genetically suppressed aggressiveness.
33* ''Manga/{{Claymore}}'': The Claymores are pretty much normal human girls who are transformed into superhuman half-demon warriors by transplanting the blood and flesh of said demons (Yoma) into them.
34* Although Androids 17 and 18 from ''Anime/DragonBallZ'' are referred to as cyborgs, the majority of their enhancements are in fact OrganicTechnology on the cellular level, resulting in {{Perpetual Motion Monster}}s with superhuman strength.
35* ''Anime/GhostInTheShellStandAloneComplex'' also has a bioroid, [[spoiler:Proto]], in the second season.
36* ''Franchise/{{Gundam}}'':
37** Coordinators and Extended in ''Anime/MobileSuitGundamSEED'' and ''Anime/MobileSuitGundamSEEDDestiny''. The former are humans genetically engineered to be peak mental and physical specimens of the human race, the latter are ordinary humans turned supersoldiers through years of mental conditioning and carefully administered drug regimens.
38** The Human Reform League in ''Anime/MobileSuitGundam00'' also uses genetic engineering to create {{Super Soldier}}s with telepathic ability. Such a project produced Allelujah and Soma.
39** The Universal Century has Cyber-Newtypes from ''Anime/MobileSuitZetaGundam'' on. Using a combination of surgery, drugs, and mental conditioning, ordinary humans can be given the reaction times and psychic abilities of newtypes. The downside is sharp drop in mental stability, especially in the earlier examples.
40** ''Anime/MobileSuitGundamIronBloodedOrphans'' has the Alaya-Vijnana system, a BrainComputerInterface implant that takes the form of protrusions from the spine called "whiskers". The surgical procedure is painful and dangerous, at least in the crude form used by ruthless mercenary groups on cast-off children. The prevailing "pure humanity" ideology of Earth opposes even basic prosthetics, so A-V users face significant prejudice.
41* In ''Manga/{{Guyver}}'', the entire business plan of the Chronos Corporation is to "optimize" humans into monstrous Zoanoids.
42* The Millennium Organization in ''Manga/{{Hellsing}}'' uses surgical procedures to turn Nazi soldiers into vampires in order to better their odds at [[TakeOverTheWorld world domination]].
43* ''Manga/KnightsOfSidonia'' has a number of alterations made among the humans of Sidonia. The major one being photosynthesis: the last couple of generations are capable of drawing energy from sunlight, and spending some time sunbathing each day means they only have to eat once a week. A third gender was also introduced, having NoBiologicalSex until, usually during their teen years, they fall in love and their body changes to the gender opposite of their intended (not a conscious choice on their part). We're also shown a group of cloned sisters who all have SuperStrength and were rapidly grown to adulthood within a few years. [[spoiler:Then there's the leadership of Sidonia, the Immortal Council, who, as their name suggests, are biologically immortal and do not ever age. Their existence is kept secret from the general populace.]]
44* Absalom in ''Manga/OnePiece'' is a freakish mixture of animal parts all sewn to his previously normal human body. You can't see most of it normally except for his lion's mouth. Unfortunately for him, biology and physics don't work the same in this world, so Sanji is much stronger than the [[BearsAreBadNews bear muscles]] comprising Absalom's limbs.
45* ''Literature/RebuildWorld'': Multiple types of DifferentlyPoweredIndividual exist thanks to inheriting this from {{Transhuman}} {{Precursors}} known as the Old World that the setting's AfterTheEnd of, who were fantastically advanced with {{Nanomachines}} and OrganicTechnology. In fact, the country the protagonist lives in are called mutants by people to the west of it for having them. Such powers include wireless BrainComputerInterface (old world connector), SuperStrength (superhumans), and PsychicRadar (unnamed). The protagonist Akira is an old world connector and has to hide it or else TheyWouldCutYouUp to try and reverse-engineer it. Or just be captured for SuperHumanTrafficking.
46* Tsukune and [[spoiler:Hokuto]] from ''Manga/RosarioPlusVampire'' are humans who have been [[SuperhumanTransfusion infused]] with the blood of [[OurMonstersAreDifferent monsters]] and have gained some of their powers, as well as some [[WithGreatPowerComesGreatInsanity mental instability]].
47* ''Manga/SnowWhiteAndSevenDwarfs'' revolves around "tekigousha," people who've obtained special abilities (primarily of the BlessedWithSuck variety) by undergoing human experimentation. Virtually every major character is a product of said experimentation.
48* Many Bishokuya from ''Manga/{{Toriko}}'' are infused with Gourmet Cells which cause mutations giving them special powers and limited AdaptiveAbility. Eating food that is compatible with them will cause them to "[[NextTierPowerUp evolve]]". This isn't without risk since Gourmet Cells burn energy at an alarming rate, forcing those who have them to be {{Big Eater}}s. A few people were born with Gourmet Cells instead of having them infused later, such as Midora.
49** Chapter 259 reveals that [[spoiler:the Earth itself was infused with Gourmet Cells by a meteorite. The "Human World" is the original Earth and "Gourmet World" is what the Gourmet Cells created]].
50* In ''Manga/WildFangs'', Syon is created in attempt to make more Marked Ones. Besides being created via artificial insemination, he was continually having pieces transplanted onto him leaving huge raw scars where the natural markings would ideally be.
51* ''Anime/YuGiOhGX'': Kenzan's DNA was accidentally spliced with that of a dinosaur sometime in the past when he suffered broken bones at a paleontological dig, and doctors mended them with dinosaur bones at hand. This enables him to somehow access primal, bestial powers when angered or excited, at which point [[HellishPupils his eyes become reptilian]] and he can gain a serious HeroicSecondWind. It also renders him impervious to the corrupting power of the Light of Ruin. (Sure, it really [[ArtisticLicense doesn't make sense]], but little in the show does.)
52[[/folder]]
53
54[[folder:Comic Books]]
55* ''Franchise/TheDCU'':
56** In ''ComicBook/TheAttackOfTheAnnihilator'', the BigBad builds a ray gun powered by an alien rock's mutating energies with the purpose of transforming a woman into another psychic mutant like himself.
57** The ''ComicBook/{{Batman}}: Legends of the Dark Knight'' two-parter "Infection" (issues #83-84) revolves around Batman having to fight two escapees from a governmental science lab who were infected with a [[GeneticEngineeringIsTheNewNuke genetically tailored virus]] created during the Cold War that induced this effect to create {{Super Soldier}}s. The infectees were given increased strength and durability, [[OrganicTechnology built-in guns that fired bullets of sharpened bone]], specialized organs that let them cannibalize human corpses to replenish their supply of ammo, and programmed delusions that compelled them to "retake America from the Commies", as well as the ability to produce pustules that would disperse an infectious variant of the virus, allowing a single survivor to infect dozens, or even hundreds, of individuals.
58** ''ComicBook/FarSector'': The City has the means to rewrite biology using engineered viruses, called "meatware", that only the @Ats can code.
59** In ''ComicBook/KryptonNoMore'', ComicBook/{{Supergirl}} tells ComicBook/{{Superman}} they are not Kryptonians but mutant humans who got powers through being genetically modified. {{Subverted|Trope}}, since [[spoiler:she lied because she was trying to prevent her cousin from having a break-down. Long story]].
60* Supplementary material for ''ComicBook/{{Invincible}}'' states that Viltrumites don't just [[HumanAliens look human]], but are actually biologically human, just augmented to be LongLived {{Flying Brick}}s whose genes are adaptive to allow reproducing with practically any alien species to create viable hybrids. It's a mystery how apparent they ended up on Viltrum and established their empire, or how they advanced enough in [[MinovskyPhysics smart atom technology]] to modify themselves in such a way.
61* This trope plays a large role in the world of ''ComicBook/{{Lazarus}}'':
62** The story takes place after modern society has collapsed and a few corporations/obscenely wealthy individuals have taken control of large areas of the world, turning these areas under their control into [[FeudalFuture their personal fiefdoms]]. While these groups all have their different strengths and weaknesses, the Carlyle family which controls nearly all of the Western US and Canada is known for using biological expertise to not only enhance themselves with nearly eternal youth, but also to bio-enhance seeds so that enough food can be grown in the inhospitable, possibly irradiated environment. While the Carlyles have a very competent and developed military, it's their bio-enhancing expertise that keeps them from being destroyed by the other families, as the other families all desperately crave the life sustaining secrets of the Carlyles and need the crops the Carlyles can grow.
63** The main character Forever Carlyle has been bio-enhanced to be superhumanly fast, strong, and have a HealingFactor that will let her shrug off anything short of [[OffWithHisHead being decapitated]] or [[ChunkySalsaRule an explosion that reduces her to mincemeat]]. [[spoiler:She also turns out to be a biological experiment specifically created to be the main enforcer and military leader of the Carlyle family.]]
64* ''Franchise/MarvelUniverse'':
65** Steve Rogers was transformed from a frail, skinny man to the pinnacle of physical human potential known as ComicBook/CaptainAmerica. There have been numerous other attempts to replicate the success with Steve, most of which ended in failure either because of the process, the candidate's psychological make-up or some combination of both.
66** The ''ComicBook/IronMan'' villain Ezekiel Stane augmented himself to be a biological version of Iron Man. He can use his own body's energy reserves to fly and generate repulsor blasts, but he needs to [[CastFromCalories consume a very high calorie goo]] to avoid starving himself to death after using his powers. To use his full powers, Ezekiel also needs to wear a suit designed to [[RequiredSecondaryPowers vent excess body heat to avoid burning himself up]].
67** ComicBook/TheWasp gets her powers through being genetically modified by [[ComicBook/AntMan Hank Pym]].
68* ''ComicBook/MercuryHeat'': Everyone on Mercury uses "crystal", a wetware mechanism that allows them to rapidly learn new languages, record short-term memories, do research via augmented reality, and edit their own long-term memory (often referred to as "blanking"). Luiza also has combat modifications, which include synthetic muscle fibers that she can overclock to induce superhuman strength, lower her own ability to feel pain, and reinforce crucial joints. It can also temporarily hijack her nervous system for evasive maneuvers.
69* In ''ComicBook/TheMighty'', Alpha One [[spoiler:has been kidnapping humans for years and experimenting on them to give them the same superpowers as him. Most of them turned into monsters]].
70* ''ComicBook/RogueTrooper'' centres around the last surviving Genetic Infantryman out to avenge his comrades.
71* In the Creator/ECComics ''Tales from the Crypt'' story "Bats in My Belfry", a man who was going deaf received an ear-canal transplant from a bat. The same back-alley surgeon who performed this impossible operation had previously given one of the protagonist's friends an eye-transplant from a panther.
72* In ''ComicBook/{{Uber}}'', the mysterious "Wotan's Blood" kills and/or horribly mutates most people but can transform others into the superhuman "Ubers". Depending on the potential of the candidates and the follow-up activation procedures, the results can be radically different. The rarest and strongest Ubers are the "Battleships" who can wipe out dozens of lesser Ubers with ease.
73[[/folder]]
74
75[[folder:Fan Works]]
76* ''Fanfic/AeonEntelechyEvangelion'': Before the First Arcanotech War, there was a genefixing procedure that modified humans. After the Nazzadi joined, due to their existential angst from being a manufactured race with FakeMemories, they put a stop to any transhuman experiments. By the time the fanfic starts, genefixing is slowly resurfacing.
77* In ''Fanfic/Warhammer40000Trouble'', all of the [[ChildSoldiers teen]] humans have this trope. Instead of painful surgery or something, they're only given drugs and manipulated diets, and they become stronger via TrainingFromHell and LevelGrinding. [[CompetenceZone The best result achieved when they're in puberty (14-20 years)]]. Elites are those who can stand heavier training, therefore higher PowerLevels. Results usually break into three categories:
78** ''Soldiers'' = Simply [[BadassNormal stronger and faster]] (most people tend toward this, boys and girls alike). All of them Join [[RedShirtArmy Guardsmen]].
79** ''Sisters'' = Girls weaker than the female Guardsmen, but able to synchronize with PoweredArmor efficiently (without Black Carapace).
80** ''Operators'' = Incredibly high perception, G-tolerance, and motor control, resulting [[InstantExpert almost-instant]] AcePilot.
81* In ''Fanfic/MassEffectHumanRevolution'', mankind uses this to LoopholeAbuse around their self-imposed anti-cyborg rulings. The genemods given to the average Alliance soldier makes them "only" peak human, but more potent ones exist -- Jules Leng, being TheDragon to the CorruptCorporateExecutive running the most advanced MegaCorp in the trade, has bioaugs that grant him CompellingVoice, DeflectorShields, HealingFactor and InvisibilityCloak.
82* ''Fanfic/TheHeadhunt'': The [[TheMafia Motta crime family]] has been known to get its soldiers genetically enhanced on independent fringeworlds like Adigeon Prime where such augs are legal. Dul'krah also reveals that his entire species is genetically enhanced to be resistant to disease and radiation and "able to subsist on materials that most would not even consider edible", which they believe dates back to the aftermath of their self-inflicted ApocalypseHow.
83* This runs rampant in ''Fanfic/NoGodsOnlyGuns'', thanks to unscrupulous [[MegaCorp Mega-Corps]] experimenting on the human genome -- with the side effect of inducing [[HumanityIsInsane mental instability in a large part of the human population]]. The process is explicitly described as "pummelling their DNA into submission".
84* This is starting to come to the fore in ''Fanfic/ChildOfTheStorm'', with both the MCU and comics versions of Extremis being referenced (the latter is a refinement of the former), as well as the Infinity Formula.
85* Played with in ''Fanfic/AlabasterOrchestra'', with Ichigo [[spoiler:having his Shinigami side being purged from him after getting captured by the Vandenreich]].
86* In ''Fanfic/ChildrenOfAnElderGod'', NERV tried to use this to create humans capable of piloting [[HumongousMecha Evangelions]]. It went... horrifically.
87* ''Fanfic/LastChildOfKrypton'': In the rewritten version, [[spoiler:Asuka]] is genetically enhanced modified with Kryptonian DNA. Thus, she effectively becomes the most powerful woman in the planet.
88* ''Fanfic/MobileSuitGundamAlpha'' takes the Coordinators from ''Gundam SEED'' and [[ExaggeratedTrope pushes the concept way past eleven]] and straight into InUniverse NightmareFuel. Imagine a whole race of [[Film/StarTrekIITheWrathOfKhan Khan Noonien Singh-style Augments]] with HumongousMecha and the potential to develop PsychicPowers. [[TheDreaded It is no wonder that everybody and their dog, in all of the factions, is afraid of them]].
89* ''Fanfic/ThousandShinji'': Shinji's teacher Khnemu was a bio-augmented SpaceMarine of the ''TabletopGame/Warhammer40000'' universe. He was considerably taller, stronger, sturdier and more long-lived than an average human due to an extra set of organs implanted in his body.
90* In ''Fanfic/TheChildOfLove'', [[spoiler:Gendo]] altered [[spoiler:Teri's]] DNA in order to turn her into a kind of SuperSoldier. She's got telepathy, telekinesis, and some kind of precognition. She also can travel into other people's dreams and wields an AT Field.
91* In ''Fanfic/SOE2LoneHeirOfKrypton'', Asuka has increased strength, speed, and enhanced senses due to genetic manipulation giving her Kryptonian DNA.
92* ''Roleplay/HatchlingQuest'': Humans from Samus' dimension have done this over many years. Enhancements include immunity to most diseases, 250 to 300-year long lifespan, requiring only 4 hours of sleep, and more. Samus herself underwent this, as detailed under ''Franchise/{{Metroid}}'' in the Video Games section.
93* ''Fanfic/TheButcherBird'': Every scientist in Manga/OnePiece has a hat, whether it's chemical weapons, biofeedback, SuperSerum, or creating {{cyborg}}s. The hat of Captain Vinci is this trope, and ooh boy does he put it to use.
94* Orochimaru's goal in the ''Manga/{{Naruto}}'' canon is partially this, and in ''Fanfic/SonOfTheSannin'' he successfully manages to integrate several Bloodline Limits into his body, including [[BadWithTheBone Kimimaro's Dead Bone Pulse]], [[MagmaMan Roshi's Lava Release]], and [[GreenThumb Hashirama's Wood Release]].
95[[/folder]]
96
97[[folder:Films -- Animation]]
98* ''WesternAnimation/WonderWomanBloodlines'': Dr. Poison creates a physical enhancement chemical that can either grant ordinary humans superpowers (in Giganta's case) or enhance a super's existing abilities (in Cheetah's and [[spoiler:Medusa]]'s case) for a short duration.
99[[/folder]]
100
101[[folder:Films -- Live-Action]]
102* In ''Film/TheBourneLegacy'', Outcome agents are retrovirally engineered to enhance their physical and mental abilities.
103* ''Film/RepoTheGeneticOpera'' has a (mostly) realistic version, the most fantastic being Blind Mag's hologram-projecting eyes. Considering that she's essentially the mascot of the company providing all of the new and improved organs, it makes sense that she would receive the most cutting-edge products they have to offer.
104* According to the ''Film/RogueOne'' [[AllThereInTheManual Visual Guide]], the Empire's elite Death Troopers undergo classified medical procedures that make them "somewhat above human".
105* The telepaths or 'scanners' in ''Film/{{Scanners}}'' are the product of a drug that accidentally mutated [[BizarreBabyBoom hundreds of unborn children]], allowing them to link their nervous system to other people. This mutation only works on embryos; the drug has no noticeable effect on adult humans who aren't scanners.
106* The 2023 film ''[[Film/ShinKamenRider2023 Shin Kamen Rider]]'' features the Augments, half-animal and -insect superhumans powered by [[LifeEnergy prana]]. An Augment's capabilities depend on the subject and the insect/animal/etc. their Augmentation emulates (e.g. Kumo Aug/Spider-Aug has four additional arms folded away in his torso, Hachi Aug/Wasp-Aug can move at high speeds to disorient and attack).
107[[/folder]]
108
109[[folder:Literature]]
110* Successful bio-augmentation exists in the world of ''Literature/{{Alterien}}''. In fact, many variations of bio-augmentation go into the creation of {{super soldier}}s, while uses go to treating civilians.
111* ''Literature/{{Ambergris}}'' features the Partials, people who have deliberately allowed parts of their bodies to be overtaken by beneficial fungus infections and replaced one of their eyes with a "fungus camera" in order to become [[TheQuisling Quislings]] for [[MushroomMan the Graycaps]].
112* ''Literature/Area51'': Airlia {{nanomachines}} modify captured humans at times to better serve them, e.g. enhancing two Navy [=SEALs=] whom they send up on Mount Everest so their lungs don't need acclimatization first.
113* In Creator/RobertSilverberg's story "At the Conglomeroid Cocktail Party", genetic engineering is such a common and casually regarded thing in the far future that people actually hold "fetus parties" where they invite the guests to come up with the best design for the hosts' future offspring.
114* In ''Literature/Babel17'', exotic, alien-looking "[[MagicPlasticSurgery cosmetisurgery]]" is popular with spacecraft crews. Tails and feathers are common, but variety is the key, and some of the changes are quite disturbing. Those who aren't part of the Transport culture find it very distasteful.
115* This is done with almost terrifying thoroughness by the "Change" syringes in ''Literature/BeggarsInSpain''. In addition to delivering the Cell Cleaner, which destroys any bearers of non-native DNA (from bacteria to cancer), it modifies the human body to be able to liquefy and absorb certain forms of matter and adds organelles capable of photosynthesis and fixing nitrogen directly from the atmosphere. If mouth food is not available, a Changed person can lie on soil and in sunlight for half an hour and obtain all the energy they need. "[[TheSingularity You are now autotrophic]]."
116* ''Literature/BloodMusic'' is a GoneHorriblyWrong example: a scientist creates biological computers from lymphocyte cells, each potentially as smart as a human, and then injects them into himself. [[AIIsACrapshoot They attain self-awareness]]. [[GreyGoo Chaos ensues]].
117* In the ''Literature/{{Boojumverse}}'', members of a {{Transhuman}}ist religious sect called the Christian Cultists have modified their bodies to be capable of working in extreme environments. In "Mongoose", Izrael passes one in a corridor who has replaced her arms with four sucker-tipped tentacles.
118* The Sauron Cyborgs in ''Literature/CoDominium'' are created through bio-augmentation rather than "chop and replace".
119* ''Literature/{{Colony}}'' has backstreet grafters, who can (illegally) replace existing organs and add extra body parts. A prostitute offers one character a handjob with a hand with a vagina in the palm.
120* In ''Literature/AConfusionOfPrinces'', Princes have a combination of this and {{cyborg}} parts.
121* There is tons of this in ''Literature/CouncilWars'', as part of the general MagicFromTechnology nature of the milieu.
122* In ''Literature/CreaturesOfLightAndDarkness'', this is common on the human worlds, especially Blis, where we meet a wrestler with [[MultiArmedAndDangerous four arms]], and Megra of Kalgan has such [[SuperStrength enhanced strength]] that she can only trust the strongest of men to [[ManOfSteelWomanOfKleenex survive her lovemaking]].
123* ''Literature/CrestOfTheStars'': The Abh were genetically engineered to be [[SpacePeople humans suited for life in deep space]] and marked with blue hair. Landers (normal humans) who become Abh (typically through military service or acquiring a noble rank) have their offspring engineered to share these traits. One world experimented with genetic modifications for longevity, but later joined a star nation that [[NoTranshumanismAllowed severely disapproves of any human modification]].
124* At the beginning of ''Literature/{{Distress}}'', Worth is working on ''Junk DNA'', a documentary about "frankenscience". His first subject is Ned Landers, the human biosphere, whose body has been modified to include algae that can digest anything and breathe any kind of air, allowing him to live off of old tyres if need be. He's also had some of his DNA translated into a new code called neo-DNA, including the cells that give rise to his immune system, allowing him to easily fight off any kind of virus with no symptoms. He and his wife are working on modifying their eggs and sperm so their children will have the same abilities.
125* In ''Literature/{{Domina}}'', something called the "toy maker" lets people modify their bodies relatively easily. It's described as "like stem cells, but without the moral implications". The products are called "toys", and are split into cosmetic "cosmos" and functional "buffs". It's not limited to humans, either; the fey think it's funny to release augmented animals every once in a while.
126* The Susan Gates novel ''Literature/{{Dusk}}'' is centered on a girl engineered with hawk DNA.
127* ''Literature/{{Duumvirate}}'' has [[PsychoElectro electroplaques]], [[MultiArmedAndDangerous quadbracchalism]], [[PlayingWithFire combustive gases]], and other things as "extras". The new ''basic'' humans have regeneration, super-strength, and super-speed.
128* In ''Literature/EndersShadow'', a rogue scientist alters the DNA of 24 fertilized eggs to create superhumans, with a possible goal of replacing humanity. They're highly intelligent from an impossibly young age; the only downside is that they [[spoiler:grow so large their bodies can't take the stress and they die by the age of 20]]. The experiment's only survivor is [[spoiler:Bean]], and he does his best to keep his children from inheriting it.
129* In ''Literature/GreatShip'', the [[HumanSubspecies Remoras]] are constantly bombarded by interstellar radiation due to them living on the outer hull of the [[PlanetSpaceship Great Ship]], which causes rampant mutations. The Remoras use technology to cultivate the mutations into forms they consider useful or beautiful, such as being able to see further up the visual spectrum by [[EyelessFace replacing their eyes with photosensitive hairs]].
130* This is depicted fairly realistically in ''Literature/HonorHarrington'', with such things as [[RequiredSecondaryPowers the titular character suffering malnutrition]] when her HyperactiveMetabolism isn't kept fed. The series also features a fight against [[WeWillUseManualLaborInTheFuture "genetic slavery"]].
131* ''Literature/IndustrialSocietyAndItsFuture'': Kaczynski believes that, while this can be used to help people (such as gene therapy curing genetic diseases), it's incredibly dangerous as such techniques might alter people so they serve and obey the system, cementing its oppression.
132* This is used frequently in ''Literature/LandInTheStars'':
133** The entire Alchemist's Guild specializes in this to include personally grown clones or even designer bodies ("Doppelgangers") and special-order progeny in the form of the Genespun Faerin subrace.
134** Biological splicing and gene editing were heavily important in the origin of the Arashii species.
135** Gwarish Genesculptors are capable of mutating members of their species into new strains and also create bio-technological ships and mecha.
136* In ''Literature/MonsterBloodTattoo'', people use various forms of this; the most disturbing ones [[SuperSenses augment their senses]] to the point that they have to wear special helmets to help regulate them so that they don't go insane from sensory overload. Unusually, this series is set not in the future, but in a world resembling a magical version of Napoleonic Europe.
137* In ''Literature/TheMortalInstruments'', [[spoiler:Valentine unknowingly added angel's blood to Clary before she was born. He also added angel's blood to Jace before he was born, through the naivete of his birth mother Celine Herondale]].
138* ''Literature/{{Neogicia}}'' focuses on Empire neogicians, who get this as a job perk. The FirstPersonPerspective protagonist is shown to have gotten the standard SuperStrength, HyperAwareness, and the much rarer [[MindOverMatter telekinesis]].
139* In ''Literature/{{Neuromancer}}'', Wintermute replaces Case's failing pancreas and liver with bioengineered ones that make him ImmuneToDrugs. He then spends much of the book looking for something that can get him high.
140* ''Literature/NewJediOrder'': Along with [[AbsoluteXenophobe rampant xenophobia]], a rigid [[FantasticCasteSystem caste system]], a hatred of non-OrganicTechnology, and [[MalevolentMutilation institutionalized, religious masochism]], this is the Yuuzhan Vong's "thing". Chopping off fingers or limbs to replace them with specifically created animal bits is a sign of status; if their bodies then reject the new additions, it's believed to be a sign of displeasure from the gods, and they're instantly cast down to the lowest rung of the lowest caste. The Shapers who perform such procedures are of course infallible and never at fault if a rejection occurs.
141* ''Literature/TheNorbyChronicles'': The planet Jamyn is where [[NeglectfulPrecursors the Others left instructions for genetic experiments]]. The Mentor robots [[UpliftedAnimal turned the dominant lifeforms from sub-sentient brutes into a civilization]], and First created a brand-new lifeform, which he named the "All-Purpose Pet" due to its EmpathicShapeshifter abilities.
142* "Pure" boys and some girls living in the Dome undergo "coding" (enhancing their speed, strength and intelligence) in Julianna Baggott's sci-fi novel ''Pure''.
143* ''Literature/Quarantine1992'' focuses heavily on neural mods that alter people's thought processes -- for instance, ''Sentinel'' allows a person to stay focused and alert through long periods of inactivity, and ''Boss'' allows a person to play with their circadian rhythm, meaning that they can fall asleep at-will or set aside the effects of fatigue. The protagonist in particular used a mod that dulls emotions to keep the mind clear for rational/tactical thinking (standard issue for police officers) to not be bothered by his wife's death, which is implied to be a semi-common form of abusing mods. More conventionally, the book also mentions that most southern Australians have black skin to combat the destruction of the ozone layer.
144* The Grafters from ''Literature/TheRook'' are masters of fleshcrafting.
145* Further toward the fantastic end of things, we have the Bred in ''Literature/TheSiranthaJaxSeries''. They're engineered at birth to be better than average humans -- faster, stronger, more graceful, more beautiful. They even have at least one superpower -- [[spoiler:regeneration]].
146* In ''Literature/{{Spin}}'', there is the Fourth Age, extending one's life and allowing to install different abilities on the human.
147* This is the [[PlanetOfHats hat]] of the planet Prometheus in Creator/GeorgeRRMartin's "Thousand Worlds" short stories. Through genetic engineering, the Prometheans are bigger, stronger, faster, and mentally they are always "three steps ahead", to quote a Promethean character from ''Literature/{{Nightflyers}}''. It's theorized that they live longer than non-augmented humans as well.
148* The scientific space exploration in ''Literature/ToBeTaughtIfFortunate'' is enabled by enzyme patches worn on the astronaut's arm, allowing them to adapt to extreme conditions -- e.g., by producing anti-freeze in their blood or absorbing radiation as food. They do need to be worn continuously, as new cells are made continuously. More mundanely, the patches are used widely for medical purposes such as allowing diabetics to produce insulin and producing extra hormones for trans people.
149* The setting of ''Literature/{{Twig}}'' is an AlternateHistory in which rather than writing ''Literature/{{Frankenstein}}'', Creator/MaryShelley successfully invented an actual FrankensteinsMonster. As a result, human scientific development focused greatly on BioPunk, and by the time the book starts in 1921, augmentations are available in several flavors, from using genetic engineering to give yourself new eye colors to infesting yourself with parasites that protect you from other parasites.
150* This trope is the foundation of the ''Literature/{{Uglies}}'' trilogy.
151* ''Literature/TheUltraViolets'' got their superpowers from accidentally being exposed to Helitropium, a substance capable of genetically altering any living thing on planet Earth.
152* Of a sort in ''Literature/TheVagrantTrilogy''. The Uncivil uses "necrotech" to enhance her followers. This consists of dead limbs infused with her essence and grafted onto humans, giving them powers and abilities that have nothing to do with the original function of the limbs.
153* ''Literature/VattasWar'' has "humods", modified humans that use combinations of biotech and cyborg tech in a way that they practically stand in for the series' AbsentAliens. A tongue that can check the authenticity of precious gems? Extra-sensitive tentacle hands? Colored skin? You can have all that.
154* ''Literature/VorkosiganSaga'':
155** The Cetagandans are extremely into genetic engineering on themselves, especially the Haut caste.
156** On Jackson's Whole, there are bodyguards who have enhanced strength and reflexes, at the cost of shorter lifespans. They're also the ones who made Taura the super-soldier, and Baron Ryoval would make you a slave to satisfy any of your depraved desires, for a price.
157* ''Franchise/TheWitcher'' has [[CursedWithAwesome mutations]] such as faster reflexes, higher regeneration, more durability, higher tolerance to toxins, immunity to diseases and control over the body to an incredible degree (such as controlling the widening or shrinking of the pupil). However, this comes at the price of [[BlessedWithSuck infertility]]. Also, most aspiring witchers die due to the horrible side-effect and high mortality rate.
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159
160[[folder:Live-Action TV]]
161* ''Series/BabylonFive'': The Vorlons bioengineered various younger races to have telepathy. The Psi-Corps does extensive experimentation to allow telepaths greater abilities. Gill implants exist that allow the recipients to breathe in atmospheres they usually can't.
162* The villainess in the ''Series/DoctorWho'' story "[[Recap/DoctorWhoS22E4TheTwoDoctors The Two Doctors]]" is an Androgum woman who has been "augmented" to the point where she has reached "mega genius level". However, both the Second and Sixth Doctors have misgivings about this, saying that, regardless of what has been done to her mind, the fact that Androgums are [[AlwaysChaoticEvil inherently treacherous and self-serving]] cannot be altered.
163* In ''Series/{{Firefly}}'', this appears to be the goal of [[SchoolForScheming the Academy]], which gives people PsychicPowers, mental conditioning, and combat training to create superhumanly powerful assassins.
164* ''Series/{{Heroes}}'' has a red formula that gives people a seemingly random ability.
165* ''Series/InFromTheCold'': Jenny is the only survivor of the Yaroslav Program, an augmentation that lets her "body-morph" to appear like other people and blend into her surroundings.
166* In ''Series/OrphanBlack'', Olivier has had a tail transplanted onto himself, which he seems quite proud of. More generally, the neolutionists are believers in this.
167* Several seasons of ''Franchise/PowerRangers'' made under Disney gave the Rangers various [[StockSuperpowersIndex powers]] by altering their DNA:
168** ''Series/PowerRangersDinoThunder'': The teens gained civilian powers tangentially related to their dinosaurs (Tyrannosaurus speed, Triceratops durability, Pteranodon screech) by bonding with their Dino Gems, {{Power Crystal}}s that remained after the asteroid collision that wiped out the dinosaurs.
169** ''Series/PowerRangersSPD'': The B-Squad team have various abilities sourced from [[ContrivedCoincidence their parents all working in]] [[LamarckWasRight an SPD Genetics Lab twenty years prior.]]
170** ''Series/PowerRangersOperationOverdrive'' just cut straight to the point in episode 1, with the pre-Rangers standing in a machine in a billionaire's high-tech basement-lab and voluntarily having the genetic codes scrambled!
171** ''Series/PowerRangersJungleFury'' was done much more subtly, with the team's [=tech-supplier/mentor=] mentioning just before their first outing that their TransformationTrinkets tap into mystical kung-fu powers the team already have, and then enhance it with some low-level upgrades on a cellular level so they'll instinctively know how their equipment works.
172** A non-Disney example: ''Series/PowerRangersBeastMorphers'' also uses cellular splicing to give their Rangers animal-based superpowers.
173* The ''Series/RedDwarf'' episode "[[Recap/RedDwarfSeasonIVDNA D.N.A.]]" had a DNA modifier which would allow a user to change their genetic structure. When the crew encounter the ship it was on, they find the skeleton of a man with three heads. Kryten accidentally becomes human, Lister becomes a chicken, a hamster and a foot tall "Man-Plus" (essentially Lister crossed with Franchise/RoboCop) and a mutton vindaloo becomes a mutant vindaloo-based creature that can only be killed with the application of lager.
174* ''Series/SeaQuestDSV'':
175** A regular character had himself implanted with gills to allow him to breathe underwater. Apparently, he is also able to survive at great depths.
176** Also, there is a race of [[FunWithAcronyms GELFs]] (Genetically-Engineered Life Forms), bred to be {{Super Soldier}}s. They eventually force [=UEO=] to recognize them as equals. They can breathe in rarefied atmosphere.
177* The ''Franchise/StarTrek'' universe does not indulge in this to a great deal but it's reasonable to believe they have the technology for it, given that when someone needs to pass as, say, Romulan or Cardassian (or Cardassian posing as a human in one case), they can drop into sick bay for some MagicPlasticSurgery and genuine pointy ears.
178** TheFederation [[NoTranshumanismAllowed banned it]] due to having the genetic engineering equivalent to a RobotWar. Earth's early attempts created AVillainNamedKhan and his supermen, superior in mind and body but too aggressive. Having been engineered to be superior to ordinary humans, they felt that they should ''rule'' the ordinary humans. They ended up starting the Eugenics Wars before being defeated and exiled as {{Human Popsicle}}s. This causes a major problem for [[Series/StarTrekDeepSpaceNine Dr. Bashir]] when he gets found out. Genetically enhanced humans were eventually dubbed "Augments". ''Series/StarTrekEnterprise'' mentions that this ban was inherited from the United Earth before founding the Federation, but it's never discussed if a society that regularly used genetic engineering could join the Federation.
179** Upon learning of these Augments and gaining samples of their DNA, the Klingons decided to give it a go. It backfired spectacularly, with those affected losing their Klingon appearance and strength and many of them dying of complications caused by the genetic chaos.
180** Bashir would later be charged with the care of a quartet of... slightly off Augments in "[[Recap/StarTrekDeepSpaceNineS06E09StatisticalProbabilities Statistical Improbabilities]]". The four are able to [[PrescienceByAnalysis postulate how the Dominion War will end]]... and then try and facilitate the Federation's surrender to prevent the needless waste of life.
181** Despite the ban, the ''Series/StarTrekTheNextGeneration'' episode "[[Recap/StarTrekTheNextGenerationS2E7UnnaturalSelection Unnatural Selection]]" has the Federation allow a research station to develop an "ideal" human species. With long lifespans, improved intelligence, youthful appearance, telepathy, and an advanced immune system, they're the scientists' every dream... almost.
182** On the other hand, the Dominion, the Federation's EvilCounterpart, is a huge genetic engineering society. Jem'Hadar were created from nothing[[note]]Or, according to some fan theories, from modifying the Tosk (who have weaker versions of the special abilities demonstrated by the Jem'Hadar), themselves genetically engineered.[[/note]], Vorta bred from some other form; and it's stated that [[spoiler:the Founders were once humanoids but genetically engineered themselves into [[VoluntaryShapeshifting shape-shifters]]. It is even supposed that their close-mindedness is the price they paid for their new body abilities]].
183** The Suliban on ''Series/StarTrekEnterprise'' obey a mysterious figure from the future, known to fans only as "Future Guy" since his identity is never revealed, in exchange for genetic upgrades.
184** ''Series/StarTrekStrangeNewWorlds'' shows that the Federation not only refuses any genetic augmentation of its citizens, but it also refuses to accept any new members who have been genetically enhanced. The Illyrians are one such species. There's even a Starfleet regulation that prohibits mixing human and Illyrian blood. A group of them were so desperate to join they tried to reverse their genetic augmentations. [[spoiler:It also turns out that Number One is secretly Illyrian, and both M'Benga and Chapel are more than willing to use her blood to synthesize a cure if it can save the crew, regardless of the regs.]]
185* In ''Series/{{Supernatural}}'', the [[Characters/SupernaturalSpecialChildren Special Children]] gain psychic powers after they were fed demon blood as an infant.
186* ''Series/TheTwilightZone1985'': In "[[Recap/TheTwilightZone1985S1E17 Quarantine]]", the survivors of the [[WorldWarIII nuclear war]] of 2043 began using genetic engineering to [[HumansArePsychicInTheFuture give themselves psychic powers]] as [[{{Technophobia}} they no longer trusted technology]]. By 2347, all life on Earth exists in harmony as part of a biological gestalt. Their computers are a form of OrganicTechnology created by genetically engineering chimpanzees and orangutans through increasing their intelligence by a factor of 20. Each augmented ape performs a specific function. All available knowledge is stored in their brains and accessible to anyone who requires it. Telepathic humans make contact with the apes at an early age and give them the choice of either living a normal life or becoming part of the collective computer brain.
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189[[folder:Tabletop Games]]
190* A big part of ''TabletopGame/BluePlanet'', most of the original colonists of Poseidon were surgically and genetically modified to have increased oxygen retention when diving underwater, or gills. And a major impetus for the second wave of colonization is the discovery of a mineral called "Longjohn" that makes genetic modification easier.
191* ''TabletopGame/ChroniclesOfDarkness'':
192** The Cheiron Group in ''TabletopGame/HunterTheVigil'' upgrades its agents with implants engineered from [[TheyWouldCutYouUp harvested biomaterial taken from the supernatural beings it hunts]]. {{TabletopGame/Demon|TheDescent}} eyes, {{TabletopGame/vampire|TheRequiem}} ligaments, {{TabletopGame/werewolf|TheForsaken}} brain tissue -- it's all on the table.
193** The Legion in ''TabletopGame/MageTheAwakening'' summon up minor Abyssal spirits to consume and replace parts of their body, starting with eyes or hands and working up to major organs. Full members of the legacy often even replace their brains -- which, by that point, is probably an improvement.
194* ''TabletopGame/{{Cyberpunk}}'':
195** ''Cyberpunk 2020'' has biotech, which are enhancements based around biology rather than technology, often using nanomachines, which has the handy benefit of minimizing humanity loss.
196*** This is taken further in the Eurosource sourcebooks, as Europeans disprove of cybernetics, so cyberware is either well-hidden or replaced with biotech and also genetic engineering, which isn't readily available outside Europe.
197** ''Cyberpunk 203X'' includes a sea-faring tribe that uses genetic manipulation instead of cybernetics.
198* ''TabletopGame/DungeonsAndDragons'' has the "Graft Flesh" feat and several variations that allow the altering of a creature's biology.
199** In the ''TabletopGame/DarkSun'' setting supplement ''The Windriders of the Jagged Cliffs'', players are introduced to living "life shaped" items that could be implanted in living beings.
200** In a far more minimalistic fashion, the ''TabletopGame/ForgottenRealms'' supplement ''Champions of Valor'' has a kind of (living) magical coral which is implanted into the hand (it's a small piece of living coral, pretty much just a shard). It is of no help during combat (it provides faster healing, but it's faster on the scale of a day, not minutes), but provides a couple of other helpful benefits, among them identification (the coral glows when near another implanted coral, and it's mostly used by a single organization).
201* In ''TabletopGame/EclipsePhase'', changing bodies is done so often that a body is referred to as a 'sleeve'; all it takes is for someone to extract your "Cortical Stack" (which makes a backup of your mind once per second) and plug it into a new sleeve. Most biological sleeves, aside from non-engineered humans (called ''Flats'') are immune to aging, immune to all natural diseases including cancer, and can even regenerate lost limbs over time.
202* TabletopGame/{{GURPS}}:
203** Approximately half of ''TabletopGame/GURPSBioTech'' is devoted to this.
204** ''TabletopGame/TranshumanSpace'': Implanted bioengineered organs ranging from straight-up replacements to lungs that allow you to breathe Mars' atmosphere, and Proteus [[{{Nanomachines}} nanoviruses]] that can rewrite DNA in living cells ("soft" changes only though).
205* ''TabletopGame/MagicTheGathering'':
206** Take Bio-Augmentation, add a generous dose of {{Cyborg}} and BodyHorror, and you've got Phyrexia [[{{Metaphorgotten}} and a couple of spare livers]].
207** The Simic Combine has this as one of their premier products, allowing customers to add various augmentations with Cytoplasts (such as give a normal-sized human a giant's strength). Unfortunately, Momir Vig had ulterior motives for these...
208* The Splurgoth in ''TabletopGame/{{Rifts}}'' market Bio-Borgs -- organisms equipped with bio-tech transplants -- as slaves, and have been willing to sell and install the transplants themselves in paying customers.
209* ''TabletopGame/{{Shadowrun}}'' has bioware (biological implants that enhance the recipient's abilities) as well as genetic augmentations. They aren't nearly as cool as and more expensive than cybernetic implants, but they do cost less [[CyberneticsEatYourSoul essence]].
210** The one that shows up all over the place, especially in the novels, is the Supra-Thyroid Gland. Better, stronger, faster... all in one easy operation. The [[BigEater side effect]] is fun, too.
211* This is a common trope in the ''TabletopGame/StarDrive'' setting, especially for Thuldan characters.
212* ''TabletopGame/Warhammer40000'':
213** [[Characters/Warhammer40000Astartes Space Marine recruits]] go through an extensive and extremely taxing series of implantations of extra organs that cause massive physiological changes. These organs have their own genetic lineage, that can be traced back to each legion's primarch.[[note]]Which leads to the common misconception that Space Marines themselves are genetically modified.[[/note]] The process is detailed [[http://wh40k.lexicanum.com/wiki/Creation_of_a_Space_Marine here]].
214** The Thunder Warriors, the Space Marines' predecessors, were augmented using a far less refined process with the details unknown. The Thunder Warriors were even stronger than the Space Marines and Custodes but were also physically and psychologically unstable and had shortened lifespans, making them unsuitable for the Emperor's long-term goals of galactic conquest.
215** The Custodes were augmented using a refined version of the same process that created the Thunder Warriors. While less powerful than the Thunder Warriors, the Custodes are still stronger than the Space Marines and have similarly extended lifespans, making them ''the'' most powerful warriors in the Imperium. The few known details revealed about the procedure show that it's even more extreme and difficult than the process used to create a Space Marine. As a result, each Custodes is a costly investment to the Imperium.
216** The Primaris Marines introduced in Eighth Edition were created to aid the Imperium in its darkest hour. The Space Marine creation process was modified by Archmagos Cawl to include parts of the Custodes' creation process. The Primaris Marines have three additional gene-seed organs: metal coils that enhance their strength and endurance, half of the same "God-maker" organ that was used to create the Primarchs, and another organ that pumps them full of stimulants when they are near death. They are also overall bigger, stronger, and faster than baseline Space Marines.
217** "Rubicon Primaris" is the procedure that was eventually developed to upgrade an Astartes into a Primaris. Marneus Calgar was the first to volunteer for the procedure since he wanted to help bridge the cultural gap between the new Primaris Marines and the older Astartes. While the procedure was successful, it was extremely agonizing and risky -- Cawl estimated it would have a 66% success and survival rate ''at best''. Calgar ''did'' in fact die on the operating table, but fortunately his new Belisarius Furnace pumped his hearts full of stimulants and resuscitated him.
218** The ''Horus Heresy'' novels have implied that there's more at work in the augmentation process than "just" super science. It's been hinted that a bit of the Emperor's own psychic power is passed on through the gene-seed, and without it the augmentation would always fail. This is why Blanks, humans who negate psychic power, cannot be made into Astartes.
219* The [[YouDirtyRat Skaven]] supplement ''Children of the Horned Rat'' for ''TabletopGame/WarhammerFantasyRoleplay'' has several sections on body augmentation -- either technological, using [[{{Cyborg}} bionics or powered frames]] built by [[GadgeteerGenius Clan Skryre]] and done willingly, or actually warping flesh (usually that of prisoners) and melding creatures with weapons or mechanisms to produce horrific shock troops as practiced by [[BodyHorror Clan Moulder]]. Moulder members also tend to "improve" themselves as well, with extra limbs or massively altered metabolisms, with roughly the same results.
220** For a period, there was a Skaven-specific GaidenGame of Rat Ogre Pitfighting on the Games Workshop website, dedicated to the deranged craft of Clan Moulder. The entire point of the game was to do this kind of stuff to your "pets" and hurl them against the other players.
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222
223[[folder:Toys]]
224* ''Toys/{{Bionicle}}'':
225** The Great Beings do this to many of their experiments, including giving the Vorox and Zesk [[BewareMyStingerTail tails]].
226** The Order of Mata Nui has been known to do this as well; for example, they are known to have experimented on Ehlek's race, but just what they did to them is unknown.
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228
229[[folder:Video Games]]
230* ''VideoGame/BioShock1'': The ruined city of Rapture provides an example of bio-augmentation GoneHorriblyWrong in the form of [[PsychoSerum ADAM]], a miracle substance whose discovery paved the way for the development of serums providing quick and easy gene modifications. Advertised and treated in the same mundane manner as laundry detergent or brand new flavors of soda, these serums could rewrite DNA to grant anything from simple physical modifications -- such as increased muscle mass or hardened skin -- to outright ''superpowers'' -- which includes the ability to cast lightning, summon flames, and shoot [[BeeBeeGun freaking bees from your hands]], among others -- at the cost of insatiable addiction, mental damage, and BodyHorror, the abuse of which resulting in the crazed Splicers fought throughout the game.
231* ''VideoGame/CivilizationBeyondEarth'': The Purity affinity is nominally [[NoTranshumanismAllowed anti-transhuman]], but still partake in some basic genetic modification to improve lifespan and resistance to disease. However, the Harmony affinity takes genetic modding into transhuman territory, incorporating alien DNA into their own and allowing them to empathize better with alien lifeforms and breathe otherwise deadly Miasma. High-tier Harmony foot-soldiers are basically [[HalfHumanHybrid human-alien hybrids]]. The first expansion adds hybrid affinities, unit upgrades and unique units that mix traits from two affinities. The hybrids for Purity and Harmony really emphasize these aspects, using lessons learned from the alien organisms to "improve" humanity. Unlike Purity who wants to keep humans "as they are" (i.e., not using extensive gene manipulation or cybernetics), Harmony-Purity wants to make humans "as they could be": stronger, smarter, faster, to become like gods. Their soldier units look so much like gilded statues with guns that you'd have to be told that they're human.
232* ''Franchise/DeusExUniverse'':
233** ''VideoGame/DeusEx'' has the protagonist, his brother and the [[EvilCounterpart two main antagonists]] equipped with [[{{Nanomachines}} "nano-augmentations"]]. In the sequel ''VideoGame/DeusExInvisibleWar'', this technology is much more widespread.
234** In the prequel ''VideoGame/DeusExHumanRevolution'', the vast majority of augmentation are still of [[{{Cyborg}} the mechanical sort]], as nanomachine-based augmentation isn't even being tested yet. That said, a sidequest does reveal that bio-augmentation tests performed on infants (presumably not using nanomachines) was the reason that [[spoiler:Adam's body can accept augmentation without the use of any drugs]], and the ending implies that [[spoiler:what was recovered of this technology from Adam's body was used to create the Denton brothers]].
235* ''VideoGame/EldenRing'' has a few fantasy variants.
236** To make up for being the smallest and weakest of the surviving demigods, Godrick the Grafted gets his men to hunt down and chop up strong warriors so he can graft their body parts to himself and increase his power. By the time he's fought, he's a [[BodyHorror horrifying amalgamation of stolen limbs carelessly slapped and wrapped together]], only barely remaining humanoid -- and he's ''still'' considered the weakest demigod. [[spoiler:In the second phase of his boss fight, he ups the ante by chopping off his left hand and replacing it with a ''dragon head'', gaining him a biological ArmCannon.]]
237** The Grafted Scions are (his?) children who Godrick's done the same thing to, only they haven't remained humanoid. With all their extra limbs they look kind of like spiders now.
238** Practitioners of Dragon Communion hunt down dragons in order to eat their hearts to try and become dragons themselves. This gives them the ability to shapeshift parts of their body into a dragon's to do things like breathe fire and crush their enemies under a gigantic claw. However, their mutations inevitably collapse, turning them into wingless Magma Wyrms with only a faint resemblance to the dragons they emulate.
239* ''VideoGame/EVEOnline'':
240** The mysterious Jove race became masters of gene manipulation and other bioengineering, transforming themselves into emotionless quasi-superhumans. It's since bitten them in the rear, as they suffer from a degenerative disease that threatens to wipe them out.
241** The Blood Raider Covenant runs an ample research of improvement of the human body through [[SuperhumanTransfusion transfusions of modified blood]] that, among other examples, grants its citizens reduced aging, improved inmunological system and enhanced physical fitness, making their troops rival even Sansha's Nation [[{{Cyborg}} True Slaves]] in combat effectiveness. Combined with a populace-wide public blood transfusion system (which has its basis on their ritual of "Blooding", main axis of their cult, the [[ReligionOfEvil Sani Sabik]]), the Covenant's citizens enjoy a far healthier life than those of even the main Empires. Unfortunately for outsiders, that means they might get their ship captured and themselves dragged to "Blood Farms" for having their blood used for the rituals, research, or even nourishment of the Blood Raiders.
242* ''Franchise/FinalFantasy'':
243** In ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyVI'', where TheEmpire bio-engineered [[BigBad Kefka]] and Celes to be magic-wielding {{Super Soldier}}s by implanting the genes of magical Espers. The process turned Kefka into a PsychoPrototype MonsterClown, but it was refined in time to give Celes magic without any downsides (though a cut plot point from the game would've made Celes unstable as well). Then she proved just as problematic as Kefka, but for [[HeelFaceTurn different]] [[PhlebotinumRebel reasons]].
244** In the ''Franchise/CompilationOfFinalFantasyVII'', various kinds of {{Super Soldier}}s are created via bioengineering and ruthless human experimentation. [=SOLDIERs=] such as Zack Fair and experimental subjects such as Cloud Strife are the result of modifying humans with both Jenova cells and Mako. Vincent Valentine was originally human, but was modified by both Hojo and Lucrecia Crescent into a deadly shapeshifter. The most extreme case is Sephiroth, who is technically human, but with truly bizarre DNA since he was altered in the womb with Jenova cells and infused with mako energy.
245** Genesis and Angeal from ''VideoGame/CrisisCore'' are products of Project G (a less successful Shinra research project that competed with Project S, which produced Sephiroth), which also involved the use of Jenova cells and mako in developing fetuses.
246** The Deepground soldiers and Tsviets from ''VideoGame/DirgeOfCerberus'' are results of various bioweapon experiments.
247* This happens quite a lot in ''VideoGame/{{Geneforge}}'', as skill canisters manufactured by the titular Geneforge can enhance the abilities of anyone who absorbs their contents by re-writing their genetic structure. However, [[spoiler:WithGreatPowerComesGreatInsanity]].
248* ''Franchise/{{Halo}}'':
249** The Spartan-II {{Super Soldier}}s, at 14, underwent a laundry list of enhancements that made them physically and mentally superior to all other humans -- those that survived the process, that is. Even so, damage remains in that overall [[CelibateHero they lack interest in sex and romantic relationships]].
250** The list of enhancements to Spartan-[=IIIs=] is even longer, especially Gamma Company after their instructor, a Spartan-II, got tired of watching his students from previous companies get slaughtered in suicide missions and decided to add a few illegal enhancements to make them highly resistant to pain.
251** The Spartan-[=IVs=] have somewhat less extensive augmentations, due to being modified as adults, but they can still do things like breathe methane for an hour.
252** The [[{{Precursors}} Forerunners]] had this as standard for ''everyone'', with them receiving new mutations as they advanced in age and rank. The best mutations went to the Prometheans, the most elite of the Forerunner Warrior-Servants. Notably, these mutations would usually take place over a number of years, but during wartime Warrior-Servants could undergo much quicker but also riskier "brevet" mutations.
253* ''VideoGame/IWasATeenageExocolonist''
254** Each child receives one augmentation thanks to genetech, ranging from incredible eyesight to perpetually flexible brain neurons to just being [[NervesOfSteel really, really calm]]. They see their first signs of it at six.
255** Maxing out your Biology skill gives you access to the Engineering building's genetech lab, where you can acquire an augment anytime if you chose not to have one at the start.
256* Genetic enhancement is fairly commonplace in ''Franchise/MassEffect'', but is strictly regulated by Council law. Enhancing existing abilities is legal; adding new ones is illegal. Alliance soldiers routinely undergo genetic enhancement upon entering the military, and [[WeWillHavePerfectHealthInTheFuture almost all children are screened before or just after birth and provided treatments to fix genetic defects]]. In addition, there now exist [[DesignerBabies "designer babies"]], children of the wealthy that were engineered from the ground up to be better than normal humans. In some places they're the equal of any other human, in others they're regarded as little more than property. ''VideoGame/MassEffect2'' squadmate Miranda Lawson is one of these "designer babies", [[CursedWithAwesome and shows why it's not such a good idea]]. You can also pick up a "krogan retrovirus" upgrade, which alters the genetic code in squadmate Grunt to increase his health.
257* The Genome Soldiers of ''VideoGame/MetalGearSolid'' are enhanced by gene therapy with the genes of Big Boss to have augmented senses and reflexes. However, the end of the game includes a character noting that having the genes necessary to succeed means nothing if you don't have the mentality. Snake himself is supposed to be a living example: despite [[ArtisticLicenseBiology receiving "all the recessive genes"]] and being an inferior clone of Big Boss, he is perhaps the greatest soldier in the world.
258* In ''Franchise/{{Metroid}}'', Samus was [[ArtificialHybrid augmented with Chozo DNA as a kid]] to help her survive on their planet after the race adopted her, which also makes her uniquely capable of utilizing their technology. [[VideoGame/MetroidFusion Later on]], she's also transfused with Metroid DNA to save her life after being infected by the X Parasites. [[spoiler:''VideoGame/MetroidDread'' expands on this, revealing that Samus was augmented with the DNA of two different tribes of Chozo: the peaceful and scientific-minded Tholha and the ProudWarriorRaceGuy Mawkin. The BigBad of the game Raven Beak, the former leader and SoleSurvivor of the Mawkin, is revealed to have been the Chozo who donated the Mawkin genes to her.]]
259* The second core of progression in ''VideoGame/ThePersistence'' (besides armor) is gene-editing so you and all future clones you possess are better at the fundamentals of the game. Your stealth, melee damage, and dark matter abilities are all improved by using this gene-editing.
260* ''Franchise/{{Pokemon}}'':
261** As an embryo, the [[OlympusMons Legendary Pokémon]] Mewtwo was genetically engineered by a lone scientist to be the ultimate fighting machine. [[GoneHorriblyRight He succeeded]].
262** [[VideoGame/PokemonBlackAndWhite Team Plasma]] do something similar with Genesect, who they also turn into a {{Cyborg}}.
263* ''VideoGame/XCom'':
264** In the ''VideoGame/XCOMEnemyUnknown'' expansion pack ''Enemy Within'', you have the option to upgrade your troops with gene mods to increase their combat potential. The modifications include, among others, increased muscle density, which allows them to [[InASingleBound jump to rooftops]], a secondary heart, which [[NonLethalKO prevents them from dying instantly to otherwise fatal hits]], and mimetic skin, which lets them [[ChameleonCamouflage blend with the environment]]. The more grotesque side of the trope is seen in the EXALT Elite Operatives; it's implied that their augmentations were completely unrestrained, unlike XCOM's, and are proportionally more powerful -- however, they're inhumanly pale and you can visibly see that something's very wrong with them. Their gene-mods in the game data reflect this; XCOM gene mods may be powerful, but EXALT gene mods are arguably moreso. XCOM's gene mods are completely "clean" by comparison.
265** A NewGamePlus option for ''Enemy Unknown'' gives gene mods the negative side-effect of being unable to develop psionic powers. The GameMod "The Long War" also has this option, but even when disabled, always gives this side-effect to the gene mod "neural damping" that protects a soldier from enemy psionics (so in short, in LW it's an anti-psionics gene mod).
266** In ''VideoGame/XCOM2'', because HumansAreSpecial the aliens have been upgraded with human DNA after [[VichyEarth conquering Earth]], making the [[TheGreys Sectoids]] stronger and the DumbMuscle Mutons smarter. Conversely, ADVENT's FacelessGoons are revealed to be {{Half Human Hybrid}}s that were former humans augmented with alien DNA and then used to create a CloneArmy.
267[[/folder]]
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269[[folder:Visual Novels]]
270* ''VisualNovel/SouthScrimshaw'': The main strength of the Brillo Whale species, besides their size/intelligence. They are able to choose "body-plans", which effectively allow them to design and customize their own exterior to fit their needs. This ranges from mundaneness such as letting plants grow on their body, to more extreme things such as letting animals live within them, and at the extreme, becoming entirely encased with organisms/materials, basically becoming a living exosuit or armor.
271[[/folder]]
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273[[folder:Webcomics]]
274* ''Webcomic/AlwaysHuman'' has this as a core part of the setting. "Mods" are easy to install or replace and are ubiquitous in daily life: they include fashion options, memory enhancements, health boosters, and work-specific augmentations. Some are as simple as shopping for a new eye color or [[LittleBitBeastly cat ears]], while others are as intensive as full-body modifications to withstand long space journeys. One of the main characters has [[FictionalDisability a condition that prevents her from using most mods]], which is what kicks off the plot.
275* ''Webcomic/AmongTheChosen'' has quite a few heavily modified characters, but the technology tends to be so advanced as to blur the line between this and {{Cyborg}}s.
276* In ''Webcomic/{{Drowtales}}'', this is what the all-female Jaal'darya clan is (in)famous for. Well, this and OrganicTechnology.
277* The K-Series soldiers in ''Webcomic/ElfBlood'' were designed before birth to have bodies ultra-compatible with MagiTek implants. They were quite successful.
278* In ''Webcomic/JetDream'', Virus-X gives T-Girls enhanced strength, agility, and endurance in addition to [[GenderBender its most obvious effect]].
279* Many characters in ''Webcomic/SchlockMercenary'' get various strength and resiliency boosts, due to their occupations as soldiers or mercenaries. More than a few characters end up getting full-body makeovers (turning a very runtish character into TheBigGuy, for example). Later on, some characters learn too late that this process can [[BodyHorror turn them into]] [[TyphoidMary unwitting bioweapons]].
280* ''Webcomic/{{Spacetrawler}}:'' Yuri gets part of an Eeb brain implanted into her own, in order to gain greater technological understanding and limited telekinesis. And she gets cat ears, because she wants to be a CatGirl.
281[[/folder]]
282
283[[folder:Web Originals]]
284* This is the point of Pelvanida Base in ''Roleplay/DarwinsSoldiers''.
285* In ''WebAnimation/DingoDoodles'', the Foreclaimers are a race obsessed with perfecting their mortal form. Through centuries of brutal experiments and capturing the power of the second sun, they developed a method for combining magitek cybernetics and bio-augments suited their individual occupations. Gothi, a member of the race, chose a set of gills to allow waterbreathing.
286* In ''TabletopGame/NewVindicators'', this pops up with the Primes, man-made Neo-Sapiens (or super powered mutants), with powers of their genetic donors (though not always willing). In one case, cunning terrorists buy samples of this Prime technology and have it used by their [[SelfDuplication duplicating]] leader to impregnate several women-leading to supers not only with doctored in superpowers, but the man's own duplicating power as well.
287* In ''Franchise/{{Noob}}'', this is the advantage given to Empire neogicians compared to those from other factions according to the webseries and novels. The one from the main guild is known to have gotten SuperSpeed, while the advantage gained by the other ones are currently unknown.
288* This is a relatively trivial operation for the Sephirotic Empires in ''Website/OrionsArm''. Life forms who have altered their bodies without the addition of machine parts are known as "bioborgs" in the series parlance.
289* Planet Shield from ''Literature/{{Phaeton}}'' do this all of the time, though its mostly done with mindless clones who they then control with remote stations.
290* ''Roleplay/ShadowhunterPeril'': This happened to the Architect in 1943 at the hands of Nazis, but the actual events of this time period take place on a different storyline called Upworld, Downworld. He was part of a highly unstable project by Nazi Germany to create a SuperSoldier race of Nazis. Because of the danger this would theoretically pose to human lives, they used prisoners in the concentration camps. They infused demonic steroids within his body, which result augmented his muscular strength and turned his bones into a kind of living metal. [[TheDogBitesBack Naturally, after discovering his new abilities, he killed the people who slaughtered his family and then escaped]].
291* ''Website/TaerelSetting'': The kin'toni are superhuman vampiric sophonts made by lab stuff gone wrong -- their powers and adaptions are mutations of the body.
292* The Coalition soldiers (Ourkind) and several of the protagonists are this in ''Literature/UnlikelyEden''.
293* This is common in ''Roleplay/VoidOfTheStars''. Nearly every species practices it in some way, aside from the humans -- it's illegal to genetically modify one of them.
294* ''Literature/WhateleyUniverse'': This is how Delta Spike went from a nerdy teen inventor to a super-strong energy blaster with the MostCommonSuperpower. She was experimented on by the dreaded Dr. Pygmalion. The doc's other experiments have all that as well as being his mindslaves.
295* ''Literature/{{Worm}}'':
296** Panacea has this as a superpower. She can [[{{Biomanipulation}} exert complete control over the physiology of any living thing she touches]]. She mostly uses it [[HealingHands to heal people]], but the possible applications are pretty much endless.
297** Bonesaw is a [[GadgeteerGenius tinker]] who specializes in the biological, and it's expressed mainly through this trope, both on herself and [[BodyHorror her victims]].
298[[/folder]]
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300[[folder:Western Animation]]
301* ''WesternAnimation/BatmanBeyond'': Genetic splicing and other kinds of augmentation are a running theme on the show.
302** "[[Recap/BatmanBeyondS2E3Splicers Splicers]]" deals with Terry fighting a group of teenagers who are [[LegoGenetics spliced with animal DNA]] to take on certain animal traits. Other splicers are seen throughout the series.
303** "[[Recap/BatmanBeyondS3E1AceInTheHole Ace in the Hole]]" involves a [[BeastlyBloodsports dogfighting ring]] full of biologically altered dog-monsters.
304** "[[Recap/StaticShockS4E1FutureShock Future Shock]]", a crossover episode with ''WesternAnimation/StaticShock'', also features the "Splicers", though they seem to be only using lizard DNA in that episode.
305** In "[[Recap/BatmanBeyondS3E8E9CurseOfTheKobra Curse of the Kobra]]", the Kobra cult tries to use dinosaur DNA to create [[ReptilesAreAbhorrent a new race of reptile-people]] and take over the Earth.
306* ''WesternAnimation/BatmanTheAnimatedSeries'': The episode "[[Recap/TheNewBatmanAdventuresE14Critters Critters]]" gives us augmented farm critters and pests, including BigCreepyCrawlies ''preprogrammed'' to 'die' after a particular length of time. Originally microbiologist Farmer Brown was only out to augment cattle and other farm animals to provide more and better food; a PR event gone awry resulted in a court order[[note]]the judge doesn't seem particularly sympathetic to Farmer Brown[[/note]] preventing him from experimenting in Gotham. [[spoiler:Thus, Brown and daughter move to extortion by threat of bio-augmented monster animals.]]
307* {{Parodied|Trope}} in a scene from the ''WesternAnimation/InvaderZim'' episode "[[Recap/InvaderZimS1E32Abducted Abducted]]". The aliens believe that by duct-taping a gopher to Zim's head, they are fusing him and possibly making him more powerful.
308* Alpha, a recurring villain in ''WesternAnimation/MenInBlackTheSeries'', collects alien body parts which he sticks onto himself using an illegal device called a Cosmic Integrator which both melds the new parts onto his body and prevents said body from rejecting them.
309* In ''WesternAnimation/TheSpectacularSpiderMan'', Kraven the Hunter is created by Sergei Kravinoff having himself injected with an "electrolized" [[LegoGenetics DNA formula]] of various jungle cats, turning himself from a BadassNormal to a formidable feline supervillain.
310* In ''WesternAnimation/SpiderManTheAnimatedSeries'', the Kingpin turns to this for his living weapons after a few too many failures by Smythe's robots. They are made by Herbert Landon, who is introduced accidentally turning himself into an electricity-eating, city-wrecking {{Kaiju}}. (He mostly gets better but spends the rest of series TwoFaced.) When Smythe turns against the Kingpin, Landon captures him and has him upgraded into his Ultimate Slayer form.
311* ''WesternAnimation/TransformersAnimated'': This is the goal of Prometheus Black, who wants to prove that people can measure up to Professor Sumdac's robots. Unfortunately, his investors bail out after a PR stunt turns into a disaster. One rage-induced FreakLabAccident later, he's a supervillain with a grudge against both the Autobots and the Sumdac family.
312* In ''WesternAnimation/YoungJusticeRevivalSeries'', [[ScienceHero Karen 'Bumblebee' Beecher]] had, as part of her university thesis, researched how to artificially edit human DNA to enhance the subjects' physiology, originally with the intent to launch scientific debate into the ethics of doing so. However, when faced with nearly losing her newly born daughter to a medical condition, she made the decision to apply her research to the baby's DNA [[FantasticVoyagePlot from within]].
313-->'''Karen:''' ''[flashback to her announcement of the findings of her research]'' For this dissertation, I isolated samples of my own blood and tissue to introduce new genetic material into a genome. I successfully integrated new genes into my sample's DNA that would have enhanced everything from muscular strength to mental acuity, thus proving that, from cures for disease to enhancement of nature, the power of evolution is now in our hands. I submit my experiments not as an argument for or against such procedures, but to help spark an important ethical debate about how to utilise this science to do the right thing; a debate we must settle now, before nature or other forces in our fast-changing world settle it for us, and our children.
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