trifected

Trifected are people who have contacted the Z-virus, the T-virus, and the C-virus.

Basic Information

Genetics and Reproduction

From the T-virus, the somatic cells of gain a plasmid in their somatic cells which contains DNA that they can xenoexpress. From the Z-virus, Cainnites are easily able to add to the contents of that plasmid, essentially performing Melding on the level of DNA. This is integration into the plasmid is possible because the Z-virus encodes for a restriction enzyme that does not cut human DNA but does cut the plasmid, allowing for this foreign integration. It is this plasmid that gives male Cainnites their infertility. Research shows that it does not separate correctly during meiosis, as it is inconsistently treated like a chromosome, leading to sperm that mismatch the number of chromosomes in an egg. Sperm without this extra DNA are lighter, so centrifuging ejaculate can increase the chance of success of IVF. Unfortunately, this plasmid is usually lighter than the X chromosome, meaning that the lightest sperm are disproportionately carrying a Y chromosome. So, when Cainnites do procreate, if it was done via IVF, it is much more likely that the resulting child will be male.

Genetic Ancestor(s)

• cachaemites
• tomenthoid
• zeitgabberim