Cloning

Cloning is the process by which an organism is identically replicated through natural or artificial means. Although non-sexual reproduction (also called parthogenesis) is technically cloning, the term has evolved to nearly-exclusively refer to the artificial creation of life - including the creation of non-identical organisms through cloning technology. Cloning is universally used throughout the spacefaring nations of the galaxy in a wide variety of fields, including agriculture, medicine, conservation, demography, and military applications.

The basis of modern cloning technology is the mass-scale harvesting of genetics, which are then stored in 'gene banks'. From these collected samples, geneticists are able to curate and modify specific genomes for deployment in a cloned batch. Although different organisations have their own terminology for cloning, there are three generally accepted terms for referring to stored genomes. 'Templates' are created from a donor, such as a plant, animal, or sapient organism, and provide the majority of the genetic information for all future cloning efforts. Templates are only modified by small amounts, in order to remove any particularly large genetic defects. Templates are further refined into 'patterns', which are more heavily modified and particularly suited for a task. Finally, failed pattern experiments are sometimes turned into 'variants', if they find other uses.

Agriculture

Cloning has been utilised for thousands of years in agriculture, even before the science behind cloning was understood. Many plants can reproduce asexually by simply planting a clipping from them. However, the main usage of cloning in the agricultural sector is for animals and meat production. Genetically-engineered farm animals are often cloned for their meat or other products, as cloning provides far superior control over the final product. Meat can also be created directly from animal cells, a process commonly used in societies that views the killing of animals for food unethical.

Medical

Organ cloning is an extremely common medical practice. By sequencing a patient's DNA, a replacement organ can be grown in only a few hours, removing the need to find a matching organ donor. Although cloned organs can be rejected by a host, these instances are very rare (and a new organ will usually work, unless there is some other underlying issue). Coupled with genetic modification, organ cloning has pushed the average life expectancy for most species well past 100 years. Additionally, cloned organisms can be used by researchers to study the spread of diseases in controlled environments.

Conservation

Cloning technology is commonly used to preserve species of flora or fauna from going extinct. If sufficient DNA is harvested from a species, it can be created again - artificially - even if it were to die out completely. The Human homeworld of Earth was ecologically devastated during the 20th and 21st centuries CE, causing a majority of species on the planet to go extinct, but a combination of genetic engineering and gene harvesting efforts saved many species from permanent extinction. In an extreme case, a species of mammal called the 'wooly mammoth' was revived on Earth after 10,000 years of extinction.

Demography

Following the development of advanced cloning technology in the early 23rd century CE, sapient beings could be safely created artificially. At first, these were limited to full clones of the DNA donor, but this was quickly changed. It was quickly realised by every species that introducing thousands or even millions of identical sets of DNA could have drastic consequences for the future genetic pool. As such, cloned individuals are now subject to DNA randomisation, ensuring that they are a truly unique individual.

The total control of an individual's DNA before birth allowed by cloning technology has led to significant ethical debates. Some societies, such as the United Nations of Earth, strictly disavow deliberate pre-birth editing of an individual, beyond removing all potential genetic hazards. Other societies, like the Tzynn Empire, carefully create individuals to be born into the ruling cast, going so far as to schew natural births entirely in some cases. Most societies outside of the Interstellar Concord permit these 'designer babies', but the debate remains unresolved.

Military

Perhaps the most well-known use of cloning is for military purposes. Many galactic militaries deploy specialised cloned soldiers to augment their manpower or provide the basis for 'super-soldiers'. The Commonwealth of Man is best known for this, compensating for their small population with the heavy use of military clones in wartime. Military clones are very different to civilian ones, in that they are heavily genetically modified for extremely rapid growth with little regard for their total lifespan. Most military clones can grow in three to four months, but can be as low as two. They tend to have a lifespan of approximately a decade, though some can reach up to forty years.

Clones are trained by memory imprints during their vat growing period, giving them an instinctual knowledge of military matters. This is followed by a rapid training and conditioning regimen to field them as fast as possible. Some clones additionally undergo hypnotic training, making them even more efficient in combat at the cost of the occasional psychological breakdown.

Variants are commonly used in military clones to create specialised units. Most military clones are created with their free will dulled, in order to better respond to orders and the chain of command. Clone variants designated as commandos or special forces usually have their free will restored, allowing them to operate more effectively while cut off from command. On the opposite end of the spectrum, the extremely controversial 'suicide clone' variant is stripped of almost all free will, and imprinted with a single overriding desire to dive into an enemy position and detonate explosives.

Xenomorphs

Xenomorphs are bio-engineered weapons of war designed as the ultimate weapon of terror. In most cases, they are completely sterile, and therefore can only be created via cloning. Xenomorph cloning facilities are much more heavily guarded and fortified than typical cloning facilities, due to the sheer danger of the creatures being created within. Attempts have been made to 'field clone' xenomorphs close to front lines of combat, but these attempts are quickly abandoned after breakout attempts.

Limitations

Although powerful, cloning technology has its limits. Although unused DNA can be safely stored for millions of years under the right conditions, active templates slowly consume their host DNA in order to generate improvements or new patterns. No copying process is completely perfect, so 'cloning a clone' creates errors that begin to cascade over time. Actively used templates can typically last from 30-50 years, while a pattern's lifetime is in the sub-decade range.