An eighth area of Research called Biology/Genetics is introduced in v5.1. I will expand this area in subsequent versions but for v5.1 I have added several research lines with regard to creating a genetic template for a new species derived from an existing one. The new lines of research include expanding the normal temperature range and moving the ideal point for gravity, temperature and oxygen level. For example, the following species is based on the default human species with a modification of +2 to temperature range, -15C to ideal temperature, -20% gravity and -10% to oxygen level. It would be more suited to a colder, lower gravity world than Earth, although this species could survive on Earth as it would remain within its environmental tolerances.
Homo ArticusBreathable Gas: Oxygen
Ideal Temperature: 7C Temperature Range: -17C to 31C
Ideal Oxygen Level: 0.18 atm Oxygen Range (50%) : 0.09 atm to 0.27 atm
Ideal Gravity: 0.8G Gravity Range (70%) : 0.24G to 1.36G
Development Cost for Project: 8000RP
A new installation, the Genetic Modification Centre (GMC), has been added as well. This installation will modify members of the original species to the new species, creating (or adding to) a new population of the modified species on the same planet. Colony ships can then transport colonists from this new population. As well as creation via the GMC, the new species will increase naturally through population growth. One GMC will cost 2400 BP and require 300 Duranium, 1200 Corbomite, 600 Boronide and 300 Mercassium. I haven't made my final decision yet on the conversion rate but I am working on 250,000 per GMC per year. So 20 GMC would convert five million population humans (Homo Sapien) per year to Homo Articus. Assuming you can find five million volunteers/dupes/convicts, etc
. Any species created in this way is flagged as a genetically modified species and cannot be used as a basis for further modification. You can also only convert non-modified species and you can only covert to another species if it is a derived version of the current species.
This provides an alternative to terraforming and adds some interesting fiction possibilities as humanity (or other species) diversify over time to meet the needs of different environments. At some point I intend to also add military-related genetic modifications that will affect the capabilities of ground troops. I am keeping the genetic changes simple at the moment but I will expand on them once the existing system is playtested.
Steve