Introduction Publication History About GURPS About the Authors 1. Biotechnology Basic Principles Mendelian Heredity DNA Sequencing The Human Genome Project DNA Testing Procedures Selective Breeding Genetic Engineering Genetic Engineering Procedures Gene Cloning Germline Gengineering Horizontal Gene Transfer Self-Modifying Genetic Code Genetic Surgery Genetic Reconstruction Bioengineering Equipment Biotech Facilities Genetic Engineering in Play Reproductive Technology Birth Control Fertility Treatments Surrogate Motherhood Growth Tanks Stem Cells Cloning History of Cloning Clones and Uniqueness Risks of Cloning Utility of Post-Embryonic Cloning Biometrics Artificial Life Tissue Engineering Mimicking Biology Lifebanks and Genome Libraries Biomaterials Biomimetics Biotronics Variant Biotech Imprinting Magical Biotech Steampunk Biotech Biotech Development Pathways Horror Biotech Different Biologies 2. Human Genetic Engineering Gengineering at Conception Eugenic Germline Gengineering Germline Gengineering for Species Modification Genetic Engineering and Other Species Alien Hybrids Objectives of Human Gengineering Why Make Ubermenschen? Hidden Dangers Nature Versus Nurture Designing Variant Humans Experimental Procedures Gengineered Traits Brain Modifications Cardiovascular Modifications Cosmetic and Minor Transgenic Modifications Digestive and Filtration Modifications Glandular Modifications Immune System Modifications Lifespan and Self-Repair Modifications Morphological Changes Musculo-Skeletal Modifications Nervous System Modifications Respiratory Modifications Sensory Modifications Sexual and Reproductive Modifications Sex Ratios Transformations Unintended Disadvantages Bioroid Modifications Size Modifications Linked Traits Other Features Racial Point Cost Life's Price Tag Beyond the Probably Gengineered Human Racial Templates Genetic Upgrades Homo Superior Parahumans Genetic Mixing Pantropic Parahumans Specialists and Slaves 3. Man's Best Friends Processed Bioproducts Biological Control Control Using Extant Species Gengineered Control Species Control Using Microorganisms Environmental Control Plant Technology Propagation Hydroponics Gengineered Plants Biotech Foodstuffs Crop Modifications Plants as Materials Producers Plant Bioweapons Rapid-Growth Plants Zoogenetic Plants Gengineered Fungi Gengineered Insects Helpful Insects Insect Bioweapons Sample Insect Agents Gengineered Animals Levels of Sapience Creating Biomodified Animals Animal Modifications Sample Gengineered Animals Cinematic Templates Non-Sapient Animals Industrial and Research Animals Symbiotic Parasites Biogadgets Emulating Existing Technology Care and Feeding of Biogadgets Creating New Gadgets Sample Biogadgets Biovehicles Designing Biovehicles Spacecraft Airships Water Vehicles Other Considerations Biobuildings Gaia: Planet-Sized Organisms 4. Microorganisms Types of Microorganisms The Domains of Life Industrial and Commercial Microbes Energy and Fuel Purchasing Microorganisms Mining and Refining Corrosion Control Pollution Control Domestic Bacteria Targeted Microbes Microbial Construction Economic Impact of Biological Manufacturing Bioelectronics Sucrochemicals Terraforming Zoogloeal Organisms Biofilm Growth Biofilms Giant Blobs! Germ Warfare Ecological Warfare Biological Agents Enhanced Germs Cleanup Target-Seeking Pathogens Designer Plagues Sample - Oedipus-5 Germ Delivery Anti-Germ Warfare Germ Warfare and Terrorism Anti-Material Bacteria Medical Applications Fighting Disease Protein Factories Encapsulated Cell Implants Symbiotic Bacteria 5. Medical Technology First Aid Stabilization Shock Diagnosis Medical Treatment Flow Chart Vital Signs Laboratory Tests Medical Imaging Exploratory Surgery Monoclonal Antibodies Non-Invasive Procedures Blood Transfusion Blood Types Non-Surgical Treatments "Do You Have Insurance?" Surgery and Life Support Anesthesia Life Support Surgical Procedures Exploring Inner Space Cinematic Surgery Recovery Autopsy How Fast Does a Body Decay? Medical Transplants Acquiring Organs Rejection and Immunosuppression Telemedicine Types of Transplants Neurological Procedures Preservation Cryonic Preservation Nonhuman Cryonic Suspension Suspended Animation Nanostasis Temporal Stasis 6. Drugs and Nano Chemical Drugs Therapeutic Drugs Storage and Handling Capability-Enhancing Drugs Xenodrugs Espionage Drugs Lifestyle Drugs Longevity Drugs Name That Drug! Pharmacogenomic Drugs Designing Drugs Psi Drugs Magical and Mystical Drugs Nanodrugs Examples of Nanodrugs Transformational Nano Nanosymbionts Examples of Nanosymbionts Drug and Nano Delivery Methods 7. Biomods Elective Surgery Bodysculpting Acquiring Biomods Biomod Transplants Polykeratin Grafts Xenotransplants Neuromods Genetic Surgery Biomods The Genetics of Aging Proteus Nanovirus Growing Nanovirus Types of Proteus Virus Metamorphosis Virus Proteus Virus Options Nanowarfare 8. Characters and Society Biotech Corporations Medical Facilities Hospitals The Medical Rescue Campaign Bodysculpt Clinics Bioethics Trade in Body Parts Black Market Organs Playing God Cloning and Religion Eugenics Fetus Farming DNA Profiling and Identification Genetic Testing Bioroids, Parahumans, and Uplifts Immortality Defining Who Is Human Bio Law Messing with the Environment Character Templates Activist Bioengineer or Gengineer Biotech Executive Ecological Engineer or Ecoteur Epidemiologist Forensic Pathologist Nurse Organlegger Physician Senior Citizen Jobs Advantages, Disadvantages, and Skills Advantages New Features Disadvantages New Meta-Traits Skills Modifiers New Enhancements Limitations New Limitations About Our Commentators 9. Biotech Settings Alexander Athanatos History Anthropithekos The Empire Map Technology Alexander Athanatos in Infinite Worlds Organizations Alexander Phantasia Characters Adventure Seeds Draconis The Fleet Technology The Sigma Draconis System Bioshuttle Settling In Organizations Characters Adventure Seeds Variants Glossary Bibliography Index
The Future is Alive
"Who needs chrome, pal? Meat is where it's at now. Mother Nature always did it best—she just needed a little help. Get down to the black clinic, old-timer, and you can be 15 again. That is, if you still want to be human at all."
It's the technology of the posthuman age: biotech! Upgrade your old body with steroids and smart drugs, transplants, and viral nano . . . or just get a new one. Maybe you don't think being human is so great? Then improve on nature with eugenics and gene-fixing. Or just go parahuman: if you love cats, become one! The technology's changing fast, but you'll have lots of time to get used to it—death is a temporary inconvenience with cryonics and immortality drugs. And who needs silicon and steel? Vatbrain biocomputers are where it's really at!
But it's not just about the future. GURPS Bio-Tech includes a full range of 19th, 20th, and 21st-century medical equipment, from early vaccines to surgical robots, along with game stats for the world's most deadly diseases.
GURPS Bio-Tech also includes a complete set of character templates for biotech professions, rules for biotech magic, and two original campaign settings: an alternate Earth ruled by a clone of Alexander the Great, and a a living starship on its way to colonize an alien world!
Say goodbye to your old body. Have you upgraded your genetics this year?
This is the second edition of GURPS Bio-Tech. It has been revised to the GURPS Fourth Edition rules and expanded to cover medicine, drugs, magic, and new technologies. Some entries were introduced in GURPS Space, GURPS Robots, and the Transhuman Space series.
