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{{quote|Our DNA functions as an archive. It contains not only genetic instructions passed down from previous generations, but memories as well. The memories of our ancestors.|[[Warren Vidic]].|Assassin's Creed}}
{{dialogue|Dr. Vidic|Our DNA functions as an archive. It contains not only genetic instructions passed down from previous generations, but memories as well. The memories of our ancestors.|Desmond|And the Animus lets you decode and read these DNA files.|Vidic explaining genetic memory concept to Desmond.|Assassin's Creed}}


'''Genetic memory''' is the controversial theory that the memories of one's ancestors are genetically passed on to subsequent generations. In the ''[[Assassin's Creed]]'' universe, genetic memory exists, and plays a critical role in the plot.
[[File:Animus.jpg|thumb|300px|The Animus, a machine used to decode genetic memory.]]
'''Genetic memory''' is theoretically the memories of one's ancestors, which are passed down into subsequent generations through DNA. It allows for instinctive skills in animals, and acts as an archive of history in humans.


==The Theory==
[[Abstergo Industries]] developed the [[Animus]] explicitly to decode and render such memories into three dimensions, allowing the reliving of past events, and the discovery of hidden truths.
{{quote|What if I told you the human body not only housed an individual's memories, but the memories of his ancestors as well? Genetic memory, if you will. Migration, hibernation, reproduction. How do animals know when and where to go? What to do?|[[Warren Vidic]]|Assassin's Creed}}
The theory of genetic memory is controversial. Proponents point out examples of what seem to be genetic memory happening in reality in the animal kingdom.


Such examples include birds knowing where to migrate in the winter, and other forms of what might otherwise be known as "animal instinct". However, the mechanism for the preservation of memories in DNA has not been found.
After extraction, genetic memories could also be reviewed by people who did not hold the memories, through the use of another of Abstergo's devices, the [[Data Dump Scanner]].


There are still many flaws and holes in this theory, such as if the memory continues after the ancestor's child is born, or if it abruptly stops there and does not progress any farther down the family tree.
==Animus project==
{{main|Animus project}}
Genetic memory and the Animus gave Abstergo the opportunity to discover previously unknown details of history, as well as gather information about [[Assassins|their enemies]], or the [[Pieces of Eden]].<ref name="AC">''[[Assassin's Creed]]''</ref><ref name="AC2">''[[Assassin's Creed II]]''</ref>


==The Animus==
This eventually led to the creation of the Animus project, headed by Dr. [[Warren Vidic]].<ref name="AC" /> In it, several subjects with historically famous ancestors (particularly notable Assassins or [[Templars]]) were kidnapped or "farmed" for memories.<ref name="Brotherhood">''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]]''</ref><ref name="Project Legacy">''[[Assassin's Creed: Project Legacy]]''</ref>
{{main|Animus}}
[[File:Animus.jpg|thumb|The Animus, a machine used in ''Assassin's Creed'' to decode genetic memory.]]
In the world of ''[[Assassin's Creed]]'', genetic memory exists. The [[Animus]] is a machine developed to read and translate a subject's genetic memory, and, from it, create a simulation of the ancestor's life with which the subject can interact; in essence, the subject is "playing" as the ancestor in video game terms.


In ''Assassin's Creed'', the Animus is used by [[Abstergo Industries]] on [[Desmond Miles]] to decode the memories of his ancestor, [[Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad]], who lived during the [[Third Crusade]]. In ''[[Assassin's Creed II]]'', it is again used upon Desmond, this time to learn about his later ancestor [[Ezio Auditore da Firenze]], who lived during the [[Renaissance]]. Before Desmond, Abstergo had already used the Animus on [[Animus' Subjects|16 different subjects]].
[[Animus Subjects|Subjects]] 1 through 17 were placed into the Animus for review, in order to extract large sections of genetic memory.<ref name="AC" /> Other subjects who only possessed limited or few noteworthy memories were instead farmed, and their genetic memories placed for review by several [[Abstergo recruits]].<ref name="Project Legacy" />


In the second game, Desmond's bleeding effect induced dream of Altaïr explains that the point at which the genetic memories of an ancestor are passed on is the moment of conception of the next descendant. Naturally, the moment of another ancestor's conception is the moment where all genetic traits are then passed on, and the line continues.
==Limitations==
{{quote|Unfortunately, when we try and open the memory, your mind withdraws. You lack the confidence to step into your ancestor’s body.|[[Lucy Stillman]] during [[Desmond Miles]]' early use of the Animus.|Assassin's Creed}}


In ''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]]'', Desmond uses the Animus 2.0 at the Assassins' Hideout in the [[Sanctuary]] to learn about the second part of Ezio's life.
[[File:AssassinsCreed Vidic Animus.png|thumb|left|250px|Warren looking over Subject 17 in the Animus.]]
Genetic memories could be obtained from both willing or unwilling subjects. Should one not cooperate in entering an Animus and reliving a memory, a coma could simply be induced, and the memories extracted from the dormant mind.<ref name="AC" />


First reliving genetic memories could initially prove difficult, as most people subconsciously rejected the foreign memories. Traumatic genetic memories were also difficult to access, at least until the subject had greatly improved their [[synchronization]] with their ancestor.<ref name="AC" /><ref name="AC2" />
Additionally, based on one memory [[Desmond Miles]] witnessed with his ancestor, [[Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad]], genetic memory of one individual appears to stop, upon the conception of the next ancestor, from which the viewer is descended. On the occasion where Altaïr and [[Maria Thorpe]] conceived their son, Desmond's genetic memories instead shifted from Altaïr's, to the child's.<ref name="AC2" />
Memory within memory patterns could also be exhibited, given certain conditions. Subject 15, for example, relived genetic memories while she was pregnant. As such, the memories decoded by the Animus competed, as it attempted to read the memories of both the fetus' mother and father.<ref name="Brotherhood" />
A similar case occurred when Desmond viewed the later memories of [[Ezio Auditore da Firenze]]. At one point where he attempted to relive the [[siege of Viana]], at the time, Ezio himself was recalling the [[Fall of Monteriggioni|siege of Monteriggioni]], thus forcing Desmond back into that memory.<ref name="Brotherhood" />
==References==
{{reflist}}


{{AC}}
{{AC}}

Revision as of 05:59, 29 October 2011

"Our DNA functions as an archive. It contains not only genetic instructions passed down from previous generations, but memories as well. The memories of our ancestors."
―Warren Vidic.[src]
File:Animus.jpg
The Animus, a machine used to decode genetic memory.

Genetic memory is theoretically the memories of one's ancestors, which are passed down into subsequent generations through DNA. It allows for instinctive skills in animals, and acts as an archive of history in humans.

Abstergo Industries developed the Animus explicitly to decode and render such memories into three dimensions, allowing the reliving of past events, and the discovery of hidden truths.

After extraction, genetic memories could also be reviewed by people who did not hold the memories, through the use of another of Abstergo's devices, the Data Dump Scanner.

Animus project

Main article: Animus project

Genetic memory and the Animus gave Abstergo the opportunity to discover previously unknown details of history, as well as gather information about their enemies, or the Pieces of Eden.[1][2]

This eventually led to the creation of the Animus project, headed by Dr. Warren Vidic.[1] In it, several subjects with historically famous ancestors (particularly notable Assassins or Templars) were kidnapped or "farmed" for memories.[3][4]

Subjects 1 through 17 were placed into the Animus for review, in order to extract large sections of genetic memory.[1] Other subjects who only possessed limited or few noteworthy memories were instead farmed, and their genetic memories placed for review by several Abstergo recruits.[4]

Limitations

"Unfortunately, when we try and open the memory, your mind withdraws. You lack the confidence to step into your ancestor’s body."
―Lucy Stillman during Desmond Miles' early use of the Animus.[src]
Warren looking over Subject 17 in the Animus.

Genetic memories could be obtained from both willing or unwilling subjects. Should one not cooperate in entering an Animus and reliving a memory, a coma could simply be induced, and the memories extracted from the dormant mind.[1]

First reliving genetic memories could initially prove difficult, as most people subconsciously rejected the foreign memories. Traumatic genetic memories were also difficult to access, at least until the subject had greatly improved their synchronization with their ancestor.[1][2]

Additionally, based on one memory Desmond Miles witnessed with his ancestor, Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad, genetic memory of one individual appears to stop, upon the conception of the next ancestor, from which the viewer is descended. On the occasion where Altaïr and Maria Thorpe conceived their son, Desmond's genetic memories instead shifted from Altaïr's, to the child's.[2]

Memory within memory patterns could also be exhibited, given certain conditions. Subject 15, for example, relived genetic memories while she was pregnant. As such, the memories decoded by the Animus competed, as it attempted to read the memories of both the fetus' mother and father.[3]

A similar case occurred when Desmond viewed the later memories of Ezio Auditore da Firenze. At one point where he attempted to relive the siege of Viana, at the time, Ezio himself was recalling the siege of Monteriggioni, thus forcing Desmond back into that memory.[3]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Assassin's Creed
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Assassin's Creed II
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Assassin's Creed: Project Legacy

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