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From Warhammer 40k - Lexicanum
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After the Heresy, the Space Marine Legions were divided into smaller Chapters. The genetic materials of some Chapters were considered more pure than others and thus, at the time of the [[41st Millennium]], over half of the thousand known Chapters are descended from the [[Ultramarines]]' genetic stock, either directly or through one of their [[Second Founding]] Chapters.{{Fn|1c}}
A Marine's gene-seed may be rendered useless by exposure to high levels of radiation. Also, over time a Chapter's gene-seed may change through genetic mutations, so that specific implants become corrupted, producing new effects in Marines, or becoming useless altogether. A corruption in the Chapter's genetic material can lead to the Chapter's extinction. This is why gene-seed must be constantly monitored for mutations.{{Cite This}} Each Chapter chapter is obliged to tithe 5% of its gene-seed to the [[Adeptus Mechanicus]] on [[Mars]]. The first purpose for this is that it enables the Adeptus Mechanicus to monitor the health of each Marine Chapter. The second is that it creates a store of preserved gene-seed to be used for funding new Chapters.{{Fn|15}}
The creation of the gene-seed to be used for founding a new Chapter is a lengthy process. A single suitable gene-seed is selected and used to create a zygote. Zygotes are then grown in culture and implanted into test-slaves, which must be biologically compatible and free from mutation. Test-slaves are little more than physical mediums for the creation of gene-seed, and as such are bound in experimental capsules, where they remain conscious but are completely immobile. The process begins with a single implanted slave, whose body produces two progenoids. These are implanted within two more slaves, that then produce four progenoids; this process is repeated until 1,000 healthy sets of organs are produced, which takes about 55 years of constant reproduction.{{Fn|15}}
Per Imperial law, only the Emperor is authorized to decree the founding of a new chapter. In practice, this is done by the [[High Lords of Terra]] speaking in his name. {{Fn|15}}
The [[Grey Knights]] are unusual in that the source of their gene-seed is the Emperor's own, unaltered, genetic code.{{Fn|13}}{{Fn|14}}
