...it's like TV Tropes, but LINKED DATA!
Unstable Genetic Code
- 155 statements
- 28 feature instances
- 17 referencing feature instances
| Unstable Genetic Code | type |
FeatureClass | |
| Unstable Genetic Code | label |
Unstable Genetic Code | |
| Unstable Genetic Code | page |
UnstableGeneticCode | |
| Unstable Genetic Code | comment |
A creature exhibits power to change shape, unpredictably and often uncontrollably. When shapeshifting isn't exotic enough to explain this, Hollywood Evolution or Magic Genetics might do just fine. Suggest that the creature has an Unstable Genetic Code, and it can "evolve" without regard to Evolutionary Levels. (Note that in these stories, a change on the genetic level always means an [almost] immediate change on the physical level. The writer's understanding apparently is that the genes tell the body what shape and it form it has to be, rather than merely providing a set of patterns for a lifetime of development which also require a variety of external conditions at each stage to work.) Fridge Logic may come into play about the specific wording used, which would imply random and uncontrolled shapeshifting. As this is not usually the case, something like "malleable genetic code" might be more appropriate. Another instance of fridge logic is that we never see this unstable and constantly shifting genetic code accidentally erase the coding that allows it to change in the first place (yes, some of your DNA tells the rest of your DNA how to work). Of course, this is not at all biologically possible in Real Life.note unless you're talking about viruses or bacteria, but that's a whole different trope... |
|
| Unstable Genetic Code | fetched |
2023-08-12T02:30:29Z | |
| Unstable Genetic Code | parsed |
2023-08-12T02:30:29Z | |
| Unstable Genetic Code | processingComment |
Dropped link to DittoFighter: Not an Item - FEATURE | |
| Unstable Genetic Code | processingComment |
Dropped link to ElementalRockPaperScissors: Not an Item - FEATURE | |
| Unstable Genetic Code | processingComment |
Dropped link to HordeOfAlienLocusts: Not an Item - FEATURE | |
| Unstable Genetic Code | processingComment |
Dropped link to MonsterOfTheWeek: Not an Item - FEATURE | |
| Unstable Genetic Code | processingComment |
Dropped link to RidiculouslyCuteCritter: Not an Item - FEATURE | |
| Unstable Genetic Code | processingComment |
Dropped link to SelfDemonstratingArticle: Not an Item - CAT | |
| Unstable Genetic Code | processingComment |
Dropped link to SideEffectsInclude: Not an Item - FEATURE | |
| Unstable Genetic Code | processingComment |
Dropped link to justifiedtrope: Not an Item - FEATURE | |
| Unstable Genetic Code | isPartOf |
DBTropes | |
| Unstable Genetic Code / int_135f2b36 | type |
Unstable Genetic Code | |
| Unstable Genetic Code / int_135f2b36 | comment |
In Doom: Endgame, this describes the Newbies in a nutshell. All sentient life aside from humans and Newbies take thousands of years to evolve, languishing with Medieval Stasis. Humans develop blindingly fast, able to progress from sailing ships to inter-system star ships in a mere five centuries. The Newbies managed to advance from hunter-gatherers to a force able to destroy the Fredworld in half that time. They evolve so fast that the dead one found on Fredworld fears he's now a different species after a forty-year separation from his kind. When Fly finally tries to kill him, the Newbie starts evolving new organs to reroute around the damage caused by the bullets. When Fly and Arlene catch up to them on Skinwalker, the Newbies have become microscopic and have infected a human fleet. This becomes the Newbie's downfall, they drag the soul of a Newbie into the computer simulation and the processing speed accelerates the evolution until it disappears from the dimension. | |
| Unstable Genetic Code / int_135f2b36 | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Unstable Genetic Code / int_135f2b36 | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| Doom | hasFeature |
Unstable Genetic Code / int_135f2b36 | |
| Unstable Genetic Code / int_1bdeba5a | type |
Unstable Genetic Code | |
| Unstable Genetic Code / int_1bdeba5a | comment |
In X-Men, this was the explanation used for Toad's initial pathetic Quasimodo-like appearance and "abilities". When it was corrected, he suddenly Took a Level in Badass and turned into a sleek, cocky and dangerous acrobat molded in the likeness of Ray Park. | |
| Unstable Genetic Code / int_1bdeba5a | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Unstable Genetic Code / int_1bdeba5a | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| X-Men (Comic Book) | hasFeature |
Unstable Genetic Code / int_1bdeba5a | |
| Unstable Genetic Code / int_30d9627b | type |
Unstable Genetic Code | |
| Unstable Genetic Code / int_30d9627b | comment |
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (1978) describes the Haggunenons this way. (They don't appear in the books; The Restaurant at the End of the Universe replaces the Haggunenon subplot with one involving Disaster Area.) To elaborate, it is stated that when reaching for sugar for their coffee, they may spontaneously evolve into something with far longer arms, but which is incapable of drinking coffee. | |
| Unstable Genetic Code / int_30d9627b | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Unstable Genetic Code / int_30d9627b | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (1978) (Radio) | hasFeature |
Unstable Genetic Code / int_30d9627b | |
| Unstable Genetic Code / int_31a48eed | type |
Unstable Genetic Code | |
| Unstable Genetic Code / int_31a48eed | comment |
The Outer Limits (1995): In the episode "Double Helix", a high-school teacher activates the introns in his DNA. This results in a map growing on his back, which he is intended to follow. | |
| Unstable Genetic Code / int_31a48eed | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Unstable Genetic Code / int_31a48eed | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| The Outer Limits (1995) | hasFeature |
Unstable Genetic Code / int_31a48eed | |
| Unstable Genetic Code / int_3662453e | type |
Unstable Genetic Code | |
| Unstable Genetic Code / int_3662453e | comment |
In Resident Evil (2002), the protagonists see a horrifying monster eating a dead body: | |
| Unstable Genetic Code / int_3662453e | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Unstable Genetic Code / int_3662453e | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| Resident Evil (2002) | hasFeature |
Unstable Genetic Code / int_3662453e | |
| Unstable Genetic Code / int_4cd32aa7 | type |
Unstable Genetic Code | |
| Unstable Genetic Code / int_4cd32aa7 | comment |
In Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay, Chaos Marauders are blessed by Tzeentch, The Lord of Change, with the power to transmutate their arms into large weapons. Their effects and purpose can vary depending on the shape which are Spike, Blade, Claw, and Club. | |
| Unstable Genetic Code / int_4cd32aa7 | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Unstable Genetic Code / int_4cd32aa7 | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay (Tabletop Game) | hasFeature |
Unstable Genetic Code / int_4cd32aa7 | |
| Unstable Genetic Code / int_57ad0c07 | type |
Unstable Genetic Code | |
| Unstable Genetic Code / int_57ad0c07 | comment |
Resident Evil: After being fatally shot, William Birkin in Resident Evil 2 injects himself with a syringe that contains the G-virus, which at first causes his wound to heal almost instantly. But it doesn't stop there. In Resident Evil 6, this is a seemingly unintended side-effect of the C-virus. While it can regenerate tissue, considerable regeneration of tissue in the same area can cause genes to break-down and result in spontaneous mutation. Usually in some manner to counteract the threat causing the damage; the instability is that it's impossible to predict how a J'avo will mutate. Even the Complete Mutation process, which transforms a J'avo into an entirely new species of B.O.W., is a random pick procedure. |
|
| Unstable Genetic Code / int_57ad0c07 | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Unstable Genetic Code / int_57ad0c07 | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| Resident Evil (Franchise) | hasFeature |
Unstable Genetic Code / int_57ad0c07 | |
| Unstable Genetic Code / int_5af72fd | type |
Unstable Genetic Code | |
| Unstable Genetic Code / int_5af72fd | comment |
Street Sharks: Dr. Paradigm is injected with "unstable DNA" early on, resulting in his periodic transformations into a humanoid piranha. | |
| Unstable Genetic Code / int_5af72fd | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Unstable Genetic Code / int_5af72fd | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| Street Sharks | hasFeature |
Unstable Genetic Code / int_5af72fd | |
| Unstable Genetic Code / int_5e91c7b | type |
Unstable Genetic Code | |
| Unstable Genetic Code / int_5e91c7b | comment |
After being fatally shot, William Birkin in Resident Evil 2 injects himself with a syringe that contains the G-virus, which at first causes his wound to heal almost instantly. But it doesn't stop there. | |
| Unstable Genetic Code / int_5e91c7b | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Unstable Genetic Code / int_5e91c7b | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| Resident Evil 2 (Video Game) | hasFeature |
Unstable Genetic Code / int_5e91c7b | |
| Unstable Genetic Code / int_5e91c7f | type |
Unstable Genetic Code | |
| Unstable Genetic Code / int_5e91c7f | comment |
In Resident Evil 6, this is a seemingly unintended side-effect of the C-virus. While it can regenerate tissue, considerable regeneration of tissue in the same area can cause genes to break-down and result in spontaneous mutation. Usually in some manner to counteract the threat causing the damage; the instability is that it's impossible to predict how a J'avo will mutate. Even the Complete Mutation process, which transforms a J'avo into an entirely new species of B.O.W., is a random pick procedure. | |
| Unstable Genetic Code / int_5e91c7f | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Unstable Genetic Code / int_5e91c7f | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| Resident Evil 6 (Video Game) | hasFeature |
Unstable Genetic Code / int_5e91c7f | |
| Unstable Genetic Code / int_62570927 | type |
Unstable Genetic Code | |
| Unstable Genetic Code / int_62570927 | comment |
Marvel Universe: The Deviants from The Eternals, and therefore, the Skrulls, were originally this. In X-Men, this was the explanation used for Toad's initial pathetic Quasimodo-like appearance and "abilities". When it was corrected, he suddenly Took a Level in Badass and turned into a sleek, cocky and dangerous acrobat molded in the likeness of Ray Park. |
|
| Unstable Genetic Code / int_62570927 | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Unstable Genetic Code / int_62570927 | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| Marvel Universe (Franchise) | hasFeature |
Unstable Genetic Code / int_62570927 | |
| Unstable Genetic Code / int_638e1020 | type |
Unstable Genetic Code | |
| Unstable Genetic Code / int_638e1020 | comment |
In Bio-Meat: Nectar, the USBM's reproductive and ambulatory abilities (which it was never designed to have) are all explained with this trope. | |
| Unstable Genetic Code / int_638e1020 | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Unstable Genetic Code / int_638e1020 | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| Bio-Meat: Nectar (Manga) | hasFeature |
Unstable Genetic Code / int_638e1020 | |
| Unstable Genetic Code / int_668020b | type |
Unstable Genetic Code | |
| Unstable Genetic Code / int_668020b | comment |
The Deviants from The Eternals, and therefore, the Skrulls, were originally this. | |
| Unstable Genetic Code / int_668020b | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Unstable Genetic Code / int_668020b | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| The Eternals (Comic Book) | hasFeature |
Unstable Genetic Code / int_668020b | |
| Unstable Genetic Code / int_6ac55ec7 | type |
Unstable Genetic Code | |
| Unstable Genetic Code / int_6ac55ec7 | comment |
Dungeons & Dragons 3E has both Chaos Beasts from the "Monster Manual", and the Hagunemnons (yes, a HG2G reference) from the "Epic Level Handbook". Both of them have no real form, but constantly morph between countless shapes. | |
| Unstable Genetic Code / int_6ac55ec7 | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Unstable Genetic Code / int_6ac55ec7 | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| Dungeons & Dragons (Tabletop Game) | hasFeature |
Unstable Genetic Code / int_6ac55ec7 | |
| Unstable Genetic Code / int_717a94ff | type |
Unstable Genetic Code | |
| Unstable Genetic Code / int_717a94ff | comment |
"Hazmat" from Marvel Nemesis: Rise of the Imperfects has unstable DNA (a "living mutation") due to injections of untested immunization vaccines. | |
| Unstable Genetic Code / int_717a94ff | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Unstable Genetic Code / int_717a94ff | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| Marvel Nemesis: Rise of the Imperfects (Video Game) | hasFeature |
Unstable Genetic Code / int_717a94ff | |
| Unstable Genetic Code / int_77582c7b | type |
Unstable Genetic Code | |
| Unstable Genetic Code / int_77582c7b | comment |
In X-Men: Days of Future Past, this seems to be the case with Mystique, as her blood cells constantly change when under a microscope. Trask says that her DNA might be the "key to mutation itself." | |
| Unstable Genetic Code / int_77582c7b | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Unstable Genetic Code / int_77582c7b | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| X-Men: Days of Future Past | hasFeature |
Unstable Genetic Code / int_77582c7b | |
| Unstable Genetic Code / int_791fca44 | type |
Unstable Genetic Code | |
| Unstable Genetic Code / int_791fca44 | comment |
BioShock: At one point, you ingest a chemical mixture that causes you to randomly cycle through all the plasmids in the game, including plasmids you don't have. This is justified, since it's the chemical that's meant to undo the biological conditioning and genetic manipulation Frank Fontaine forced upon your character when he was a child. Ingesting the chemical is the only way to be free of Fontaine's control. You need to drink the chemical again to end the random cycling. More generally, an unstable genetic code is one of the long-term side effects of splicing with ADAM, which is the reason it's so physically addictive (and why most of its users eventually go insane). |
|
| Unstable Genetic Code / int_791fca44 | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Unstable Genetic Code / int_791fca44 | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| BioShock (Video Game) | hasFeature |
Unstable Genetic Code / int_791fca44 | |
| Unstable Genetic Code / int_7988cb68 | type |
Unstable Genetic Code | |
| Unstable Genetic Code / int_7988cb68 | comment |
Mass Effect: The Vorcha possess clusters of non-differentiated cells, which allow them to easily adapt to environments, along with allowing them to heal faster. Due to their short lifespans, however, they usually only have enough time to adapt to a single environment. | |
| Unstable Genetic Code / int_7988cb68 | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Unstable Genetic Code / int_7988cb68 | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| Mass Effect (Franchise) | hasFeature |
Unstable Genetic Code / int_7988cb68 | |
| Unstable Genetic Code / int_87e00d8e | type |
Unstable Genetic Code | |
| Unstable Genetic Code / int_87e00d8e | comment |
Beast Boy from Teen Titans (2003) is stated to have this. Apparently, this came from him getting sick as a kid in Africa and the (experimental) cure for which threw his genetic code out of whack, turning him green and granting him the ability to turn into animals. | |
| Unstable Genetic Code / int_87e00d8e | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Unstable Genetic Code / int_87e00d8e | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| Teen Titans (2003) | hasFeature |
Unstable Genetic Code / int_87e00d8e | |
| Unstable Genetic Code / int_985ad25d | type |
Unstable Genetic Code | |
| Unstable Genetic Code / int_985ad25d | comment |
In Dragon Ball Super, this is what leads to Zamasu's defeat, due to fusing with someone who was mortal, while himself was immortal, his body becomes very unstable. Combined with his now imperfect immortality, the results aren't pretty. | |
| Unstable Genetic Code / int_985ad25d | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Unstable Genetic Code / int_985ad25d | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| Dragon Ball Super | hasFeature |
Unstable Genetic Code / int_985ad25d | |
| Unstable Genetic Code / int_9f89a5f0 | type |
Unstable Genetic Code | |
| Unstable Genetic Code / int_9f89a5f0 | comment |
Pokémon: Eevee is said to possess this in its Pokedex entry. It has eight different evolved forms, each of different types... and counting (it started with only three)! Ditto's DNA is also said to be unstable, but regularly malleable. This is apparently what lets it shape itself into any other Pokemon, and breed with any Pokemon capable of it. |
|
| Unstable Genetic Code / int_9f89a5f0 | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Unstable Genetic Code / int_9f89a5f0 | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| Pokémon (Franchise) | hasFeature |
Unstable Genetic Code / int_9f89a5f0 | |
| Unstable Genetic Code / int_b0cf0ed6 | type |
Unstable Genetic Code | |
| Unstable Genetic Code / int_b0cf0ed6 | comment |
Agent 57 from Danger Mouse explains how he can change shape in "The Spy Who Stayed In With A Cold." He ran into a molecular fragmenter with his tea trolley which left his molecular structure unstable allowing him to change into different things, but when he gets a bad cold it upsets his electrolyte balance, thus causing him to change into things he did not intend. | |
| Unstable Genetic Code / int_b0cf0ed6 | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Unstable Genetic Code / int_b0cf0ed6 | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| Danger Mouse | hasFeature |
Unstable Genetic Code / int_b0cf0ed6 | |
| Unstable Genetic Code / int_b70a2d3b | type |
Unstable Genetic Code | |
| Unstable Genetic Code / int_b70a2d3b | comment |
In Safe Havens, Samantha has messed with her DNA so many times it's now unstable, causing her to randomly change at inopportune times. | |
| Unstable Genetic Code / int_b70a2d3b | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Unstable Genetic Code / int_b70a2d3b | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| Safe Havens (Comic Strip) | hasFeature |
Unstable Genetic Code / int_b70a2d3b | |
| Unstable Genetic Code / int_bb3fde3d | type |
Unstable Genetic Code | |
| Unstable Genetic Code / int_bb3fde3d | comment |
Danielle "Dani" Phantom, a female clone of Danny Phantom, has unstable DNA that causes her to melt into ectoplasm whenever she turns into a ghost and uses her powers. But she got better. | |
| Unstable Genetic Code / int_bb3fde3d | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Unstable Genetic Code / int_bb3fde3d | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| Danny Phantom | hasFeature |
Unstable Genetic Code / int_bb3fde3d | |
| Unstable Genetic Code / int_bcadd7cb | type |
Unstable Genetic Code | |
| Unstable Genetic Code / int_bcadd7cb | comment |
In Warhammer 40,000, various planets — especially Death Worlds — tend to have monstrous creatures as one-offs and adaptive mutations. Subverted at times when it's actually Chaos magic mutating them; played straight at other times, especially with the Tyranids. | |
| Unstable Genetic Code / int_bcadd7cb | featureApplicability |
-0.3 | |
| Unstable Genetic Code / int_bcadd7cb | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| Warhammer 40,000 (Tabletop Game) | hasFeature |
Unstable Genetic Code / int_bcadd7cb | |
| Unstable Genetic Code / int_c43df4d8 | type |
Unstable Genetic Code | |
| Unstable Genetic Code / int_c43df4d8 | comment |
Doctor Who: "Planet of Evil" has a scientist get unstable DNA by being infected with antimatter... which is even sillier. In "The Lazarus Experiment", a scientist alters his own DNA to become young again, but it becomes unstable, causing him to start changing from a human into a monster and back again. Lampshaded by medical student Martha. |
|
| Unstable Genetic Code / int_c43df4d8 | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Unstable Genetic Code / int_c43df4d8 | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| Doctor Who | hasFeature |
Unstable Genetic Code / int_c43df4d8 | |
| Unstable Genetic Code / int_c9c1bb4c | type |
Unstable Genetic Code | |
| Unstable Genetic Code / int_c9c1bb4c | comment |
Evolva: The Genohunters are able to change their DNA (and thus their shape) in mere seconds. | |
| Unstable Genetic Code / int_c9c1bb4c | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Unstable Genetic Code / int_c9c1bb4c | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| Evolva (Video Game) | hasFeature |
Unstable Genetic Code / int_c9c1bb4c | |
| Unstable Genetic Code / int_da3eef3a | type |
Unstable Genetic Code | |
| Unstable Genetic Code / int_da3eef3a | comment |
This is the point of the Ultimate Being in Parasite Eve — it would be able to take over the world, as it can change its DNA at will to overcome any resistance. | |
| Unstable Genetic Code / int_da3eef3a | featureApplicability |
1.0 | |
| Unstable Genetic Code / int_da3eef3a | featureConfidence |
1.0 | |
| Parasite Eve (Video Game) | hasFeature |
Unstable Genetic Code / int_da3eef3a |
The following is a list of statements referring to the current page from other pages.
Copyright of DBTropes.org wrapper 2009-2013 DFKI Knowledge Management. Imprint. - Thanks to Bakken&Baeck for hosting. Contact.
Copyright of data TVTropes.org contributors under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported License.
Copyright of data TVTropes.org contributors under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported License.