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Ancient Technology Activation gene

From SGCommand

< Ancient
The ATA-gene on Lantean life scanner.

The Ancient Technology Activation (ATA) Gene, is a specific gene expression present within the DNA of the Ancients that was used as a sort of "genetic key", so only their kind can operate their technology.

Contents

[edit] Overview

According to Dr. Beckett, who discovered its existence, the ATA gene is always on, instructing various cells in the body to produce a series of proteins and enzymes that interact with the skin, the nervous system and the brain, allowing gene carriers to operate Ancient technology. Since a small percentage of humans from Earth are descendants of the Ancients, some of them already have this gene.

Some Ancient technology only needs to be "activated" by someone possessing this gene and it remains usable by those without the gene afterward. Some other technology, however, cannot be used by someone without the gene (for example, only those with the ATA gene can interact with the neural interface of a control chair, pilot a Puddle jumper, and use the life signs detector). The ancient technology that requires the gene is amazingly well-protected by it. The Asgard group that attempted to activate the Attero device, the Vanir, had spent hundreds, maybe even thousands of years trying to activate it without the gene with no success. Ultimatly they kidnapped McKay and Jackson to do it for them and McKay's ATA gene allowed it to be activated.

Not all gene carriers, however, can use the gene in the same way. For most of them, it requires training and practice, but a few can do it easily and intuitively. Lt. Col. John Sheppard and Jack O'Neill are extremly intuitive in fact (Although Jack had access to a Repository of knowledge,) this is why Dr. Weir insisted that Sheppard be part of the Atlantis Expedition. Over time however, people seem to have gotten better with it. For example, McKay's gene allowed him to use the technology but he wasn't very good at it. He could fly a Puddle Jumper, but was a terrible pilot. Over time with experience, he grew better at that to the point that Sheppard allowed him to pilot a Jumper on an important mission to free Sheppard up for another part. Also, Doctor Beckett seems to have a powerful version as well, but due to his fear doesn't really use it much. He can fly Puddle Jumpers, but prefers not to due to his fear. However, when Sheppard isn't there and someone is needed in the city's Control Chair, it's Beckett they call upon. At first it was due to the fact that besides General O'Neill and Sheppard he was the only who'd actually fired a drone from a Control Chair (ironicaly he nearly killed those two when he did that), but after they developed a Chair Interface Aptitude, he was the second on the list after Sheppard indicating he had a particularly powerful gene.

Starting in 2004, the Atlantis Expedition team began to employ the in vivo retroviral gene therapy (using a deactivated mouse retrovirus) to transfer the Ancient gene expression to humans; however, only about a 47-48% of those who undergo the procedure are rewarded with the ATA gene, and even then it is not always permanent. The first one innoculated was Doctor Rodney McKay who the therapy worked on and who has used the gene to great effect. (ATL: "Hide and Seek")

Sometimes just the presence of the gene is enough to turn things on. When the Expediton arrived, the city started powering up. That may have been done in response to their arrival or it may have been in response to Sheppard's ATA gene as he was one of the first ones through the gate and the lights noticably started coming on once he was through the Gate. Also, the Control Room started powering up when he and McKay investigted it. Also, when McKay and Jackson found Janus' secret lab, all of the equipment inside, including the control key for the Attero Device, powered up without being touched in response to the presence of McKay's ATA gene.

Also, for some reason a few of the people of the Pegasus Galaxy carry the gene naturally. The Lord Protector and his entire family carried it and used that to rule, but it was growing very weak in their family and the Lord Protector wanted his daughter to marry Sheppard as he had the strongest gene they had seen in generations. Also, Harmony and her family possesed the gene and used it to control mini-drones, but as long as they had the key, anyone with the gene could control it as Sheppard proved.

[edit] Gene Carriers

[edit] Naturally

[edit] By Gene Therapy

[edit] Unknown Source

[edit] Unsuccessful Gene Therapy

[edit] Possible Gene

Michael's Hybrids possibly possess the gene, because they were able to move a jumper and use it to infiltrate Atlantis's control room. This is possibly done by the gene therapy. Michael held Carson Beckett's clone prisoner for two years and had him work for him. He possessed the knowledge and Ancient gene of the original Beckett. (ATL: "Misbegotten", "The Prodigal") Also, Neeva may have it as she was able to activate a communications stone which must at least be initalized for someone to use. Hers may or may not have been and Keller's was initalized by someone else.

[edit] Trivia

  • O'Neill and Sheppard apparently have a very strong form of the gene, and operate Ancient technology almost instinctively.
  • It is possible the ATA Gene-produced proteins and enzymes cause the synaptic pathways in the nervous system to generate minute electromagnetic fields that signals Ancient technology to work. However, this has yet to be confirmed.
  • In "Hot Zone", Dr. Zelenka said that the gene therapy only works for 48% of recipients. However, later in "Irresistible" Beckett told Lucius Lavin that the success rate is 47%. The change in percentage could simply be due to results from subsequent recipients.
  • The Atlantis Expedition uses a ranking system called "Chair Interface Aptitude" (or CIA) that ranks people with the ATA gene in the order of their ability to use the Ancient Control chair. The highest ranked person in Atlantis is John Sheppard, followed by cloned Dr. Carson Beckett
  • According to Dr. Nicholas Rush the Ancient starship Destiny predates the necessity of the ATA Gene. (SGU: "Darkness")

[edit] External links

Retrieved from "http://stargate.wikia.com/wiki/Ancient_Technology_Activation_gene"