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From Warhammer 40k - Lexicanum
Cleaning up the mess left for me - part 50
It takes a considerable amount of time to transform normal [[human]]s into [[Space Marine]]s. They receive implants known as [[gene-seed]] which transform their bodies and give them superhuman abilities - making them capable of spitting corrosive venom, absorbing the memories of the dead by eating their flesh, darkening their skin to protect it from radiation, and operating for long periods without sleep by switching off parts of their brains at a time.{{Fn|1}}{{Fn|2a}}{{Fn|3}} Wounds suffered by a Space Marine that would take a baseline [[human]] months to heal, if they ever healed at all, take only days to recover from.{{Fn|17}}
Recruits are subjected to psycho-indoctrination and conditioning, strengthening their resolve and honing them into dedicated and merciless warriors. Not all recruits survive the brutal training, of course, and not all are accepted.{{CMEFn|1}}
==Selection==
Recruits must be fairly young, because implants often do not become fully functional if the recipient has reached a certain level of physical maturity. They must be male because the geneseed zygotes are keyed to male hormones and genetic structure. Only a small percentage of people are compatible with the implants and hypno-suggestion necessary to turn them into Marines. Before the process of implantation begins the potential recruit receives tissue compatibility tests and psychological screening. If the testing proves successful the recruit becomes an [[aspirant]]. After the organ implantation process begins he becomes a [[neophyte]]. When the final implant is in place and the requisite training and hypnotherapy complete, he becomes a full [[brother]].{{Fn|1}}{{Fn|2a}}{{Fn|3}}
Even once the organs are implanted they are generally inactive or useless without associated training, hypnotherapy, and chemical treatment. Most recruits join the ranks as a [[brother]] between the ages of 16-18 years.{{CMEFn|2b}}
==Implants==
[[File:Space-Marine-Implants.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Implant Stages{{Fn|2b}}]]
The 19-22 (plus, rarely, 1) implanted organs are very complicated, and because several of them only work properly or at all in the presence of other implants, the removal, mutation, or failure of one organ can affect the precise functioning of the others.{{Fn|1}}{{Fn|2a}}{{Fn|3}} Because of this, and the fact that each Chapter's gene-seed belongs to that Chapter alone, different Chapters display different characteristics and use different sets of implants and methods of implantation.{{CME}} A "geneseed organ" retains this name even when it is spread across multiple implants, such as the Progenoids or Betcher's Gland, and/or is a [[imperial bionics|cybernetic implant]] rather than an organ in the traditional sense.
Throughout the implantation process the Marine must undergo various forms of conditioning in order for the implanted organs to develop and become part of his physiology.
