Biotech/IQ bonuses - Page 2

AlexanderHowl · 01-29-2019, 09:38 PM

Brain grafts are added neural tissue, genetic engineering is better brain tissue. The combination would be better added neural tissue. Of course, the GM can just declare that compatible brain grafts for the specific genetic upgrade does not exist.

As for cybernetic improvements, I do not think that they would be compatible with genetic engineering because they both replace standard neural tissue. In fact, cybernetic implants should be designed for specific subspecies, as attempting to augment a subspecies with superior IQ with implants designed for baseline humans would result in suboptimal performance. While specially designed implants might exist, they should probably be considered 'fast' (20x cost) if enhancing a subspecies with +1 or +2 IQ or 'genius' (500× cost) if enhancing a subspecies with +3 or +4 IQ as they will augment rather than replace existing superior neural tissue.

So, at TL 10, you could have an individual with IQ+2 from their subspecies, +2 IQ from brain grafts, and +2 IQ from implants. In either case, the brain grafts and implants should probably cost 20× as much as the equivalent modifications for baseline humans (in the former case because of rarity while in the latter case because of performance). Of course, it would probably be worth the cost for society to give someone with IQ 16 (IQ 14 before template) an effective IQ 20.

01-29-2019, 09:38 PM	#11
AlexanderHowl Join Date: Feb 2016	Re: Biotech/IQ bonuses Brain grafts are added neural tissue, genetic engineering is better brain tissue. The combination would be better added neural tissue. Of course, the GM can just declare that compatible brain grafts for the specific genetic upgrade does not exist. As for cybernetic improvements, I do not think that they would be compatible with genetic engineering because they both replace standard neural tissue. In fact, cybernetic implants should be designed for specific subspecies, as attempting to augment a subspecies with superior IQ with implants designed for baseline humans would result in suboptimal performance. While specially designed implants might exist, they should probably be considered 'fast' (20x cost) if enhancing a subspecies with +1 or +2 IQ or 'genius' (500× cost) if enhancing a subspecies with +3 or +4 IQ as they will augment rather than replace existing superior neural tissue. So, at TL 10, you could have an individual with IQ+2 from their subspecies, +2 IQ from brain grafts, and +2 IQ from implants. In either case, the brain grafts and implants should probably cost 20× as much as the equivalent modifications for baseline humans (in the former case because of rarity while in the latter case because of performance). Of course, it would probably be worth the cost for society to give someone with IQ 16 (IQ 14 before template) an effective IQ 20.