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From Warhammer 40k - Lexicanum
cleaning up the mess left for me - part 7
==Overview==
[[Image:Geneseed_mutation_DWRB.jpg|thumb|300px|right|A table showing the calculated chances of gene-seed mutation in the [[First Founding]] Chapters.]]
It is used to grow the artificial organs that distinguish an [[Adeptus Astartes]] from an ordinary human, and helps alter the human's biology to accept the implanted organs. Gene-seed is a Space Marine [[Chapter]]'s most precious resource, and is conserved by extracting the [[progenoid]] glands from fallen [[Battle-Brother]]s for return to the Chapter's [[fortress-monastery]].{{CMEFn|20}}
Several Chapters have unique gene-seed flaws that cause differences in their Marines' physiology and behavior. These differences can be merely cosmetic (for instance, all [[Death Spectres]] are albinos), while others can have drastic effects that are either a blessing or a curse (or both) for their Chapters, such as the [[Blood Angels]] {{Fn|21}} or the [[Space Wolves]].{{CMEFn|22}}
Some Chapters' gene-seed are inherently more stable than others, and variations in certain Chapters' methods of implantation have resulted in further degradation in some cases. The gene-seed of the [[Ultramarines]] is considered the most stable and thus they are the most preferred source of gene-seed for creating new Space Marine Chapters.{{CMEFn|20}}
Geneseed is able to be stored through the use of [[Methalon Hyper-Freeze]], preserving it for future use. When gene-seed and harvested progenoid glands are typically transported in armoured geneseed flasks. A sizable transport container of these is often referred to as a [[Genovault]].{{Fn|16b}} One example of a genovault would be a methalon casket held aloft by [[suspensor]] fields which contains racks of armoured geneseed flasks.{{Fn|16a}} Other names for geneseed carrying containers include '''genecasque'''.{{Fn|17}}
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.{{CME}} Each 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}}
During the later stages of the implantation process, a recruit will often serve as a [[Space Marine Scout]].{{Fn|3b}}
Reproduction of gene-seed is possible through the Progenoid glands, implants whose sole purpose is the replication of gene-seed. A mature gland can be removed by an [[Apothecary]] and new organs artificially cultured from it. This is the only source for new implants, so a Chapter depends on its Marines to create other Marines. In the battle-mysticism of the Astartes, the gene-seed is regarded spiritually - although a fallen Marine's body is dead, he lives on as gene-seed that returns to the Chapter.{{CME}} Apothecaries remove Progenoids after they have matured or if a Marine has died in combat.{{CMEFn|20}}
==Organs==
==Chaos Space Marines==
The renegade Legions and Chapters maintain the process of gene-seed implantation and harvesting, allowing new recruits to be turned into Marines. The specifics of the renegade Marines' methods are unclear, but it is known that [[Fabius Bile]] provides recruits for some traitors in return for slaves and other resources.{{CME}} Nearly all of the Traitor Legions' gene-seed suffers from some kind of instability, though it is debated in the Imperium whether this is caused by some inherent "rot" that was present before the [[Horus Heresy]], or simply the result of constant exposure to the [[warp]] inside the [[Eye of Terror]]. Whatever the cause, this instability hampers the [[Chaos Space Marines]]' ability to create new Marines. For this reason, the Traitor Legions will sometimes raid the strongholds of [[Imperial]] Chapters to steal stable gene-seed, which is a prized resource within the Eye.{{Fn|7}}
==Primaris Marines==
*{{Endn|18}}: [https://web.archive.org/web/20241009160528/https://www.warhammer-community.com/en-gb/articles/vQZHyGeD/the-tithes-episode-1-a-deadly-return-to-the-pariah-nexus/ Warhammer-Community: The Tithes Episode 1 – A Deadly Return to the Pariah Nexus] ''page saved to archive 9 October 2024, original link: https://www.warhammer-community.com/en-gb/articles/vQZHyGeD/the-tithes-episode-1-a-deadly-return-to-the-pariah-nexus/ (last accessed 1 January 2025)''
*{{Endn|19}}: [[Codex: Space Marines (5th Edition)]], pg. 47
[[Category:Space Marines]]
