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===Effects and distribution===
An individual may have artificial limbs and organs to replace diseased or damaged parts, or simply to improve their abilities. Bionics include partial and full replacements of body parts, brain implants, cybernetic weaponry and other devices. Although bionic parts are mechanical, many of them do use the user's bloodstream, nerve endings, etc., so damage to one may be as debilitating as an injury to the original part,{{Cite Marker End}} although in general the bionics can be more durable than their original parts - a shot that would cripple an organic leg might only cause mild damage to a bionic one.{{fn|2}}
Due to the uneven level of technology as well as [[Cult Mechanicus|superstition]], the quality and usage of bionics varies widely throughout the Imperium, as does the reaction by various populations to those who display them.{{fn|13b}} Sophistication can vary, from the crude ganger bionics grafted by the [[Rogue Doc]]s{{fn|23}} or scavenged from dead corpses in the [[Underhive]]{{fn|24}} to the truly unique and illegal implants from the [[Dark Age of Technology]] containing [[Abominable Intelligence]]s, excavated from ancient tech-tombs by [[technoarchaeologist]]'s such as [[Arkhan Land]]{{fn|25}} and everything in between.
Personnel in practically all branches of the Imperium use bionics in some capacity. In [[Imperial Guard Regiment]]s, sometimes only [[Imperial Guard Hierarchy|officers]] or heroic characters and individuals of the Regiment may possess bionics, as a form of wargear.{{Fn|27}} On the other hand, there are a few regiments where virtually every soldier is bionically enhanced, for example the [[Cobal Landstriders]].{{fn|26}} The [[Iron Hands]] [[Space Marine Chapter]] are infamous for making extensive use of them, almost to the point of almost replacing all flesh in favour of superior machinery.{{CME}} The medical kits known as a [[Martyr's Gift Medkit]] are a much higher quality than [[medkit]]s used by the [[Astra Militarum]]. These are sometimes used by [[Tempestus Scion]]s, and some of the various items contained are disposable bionic replacement limbs and eyes.{{Fn|18b}}
Members of the [[Adeptus Mechanicus]] are well known for their prolific use of machine enhancements{{fn|39}}, doing so to both denote their rank in the priesthood and to exhibit the many blessings of the [[Omnissiah]]. Many members of the priesthood gain more and more mechanical enhancements, eventually becoming more machine than man, to exhibit their rank or prestige in the cult's hierarchy.{{Cite Marker End}} Eventually, as any living being of any faction or species replaces more of themselves with inorganic materials, they become more '''machine''' than flesh. Such a being may experience benefits such as no longer needing to breathe, being immune to the harmful effects and extreme cold of the [[Void_suit#The_Void|vacuum of space]], immunity to mind altering [[psychic powers]], as well as resistance to fire and a naturally armoured body.{{Fn|31c}}
==Examples of Imperial bionics==
