ATA Gene

Ancient Misc: ATA Gene

ATA Gene
The ATA (Ancient Technology Activation) gene is a gene that only the Ancients possess. It is one of the very few things that makes them different from human beings. Those who possess the ATA gene are capable of operating Ancient technology.

Dr. Carson Beckett once said that the ATA gene is a gene that is always active within the human body, instructing the cells to produce certain proteins and enzymes that interact with the skin, brain and nervous system, allowing the wearer the ability to operate Ancient technology.

Not many humans are known to have the gene - only a small number of the humans that came from earth, and a minimal percentage of humans spread throughout the Pegasus Galaxy, possess it.

Some of the technology only needs someone with the gene to activate the device, so that people without the gene can later on operate it as well. Mostly, however, the Ancient Devices need the gene to operate in any case. Not all the gene carriers can use the gene in the same way, some are able to use it better than others.

Dr. Beckett eventually developed a retroviral gene therapy that allowed the ATA gene to be implanted in Humans that did not already possess it, however this only worked on 48% of the people who received treatment.

Notable people who possess the gene include:

> Maj. Gen. Jack O’Neill (Naturally)
> Lt. Col. John Sheppard (Naturally)
> Dr. Carson Beckett (Naturally)
> Sgt. Markham (Naturally)

> Dr. Rodney McKay (Gene Therapy - first Human subject)

> Col. Dillon Everett (Gene Therapy)

> Maj. Lorne (Gene Therapy)

Submitted by Marie Prinston

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