Genetic memory

"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.

The Animus, a machine used to decode genetic memory

Genetic memory was, theoretically, the memories of one's ancestors that were passed down into subsequent generations through DNA. It enabled instinctive skills in animals, and acted as an archive of history in humans.

The corporation Abstergo Industries developed the Animus virtual machine explicitly to decode and render such memories in a three-dimensional feed, allowing the reliving of past events and the discovery of hidden information.

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

Animus Project

Main article: Animus Project

Animus comparing two subjects for matching memory data

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

This eventually led to the creation of the Animus Project, headed by Dr. Warren Vidic. This project involved "acquiring" several subjects with historically famous ancestors, particularly those of notable Assassins or Templars, and analyzing their genetic memories.

Animus Subjects 1 through 17 were placed into the Animus for extensive review, where large sections of their genetic memories were analyzed.

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.

An Animus Wall, representing user's inability to synch with the memory

Genetic memories could be obtained from both willing or unwilling subjects. Should one not co-operate in entering an Animus and reliving a memory, a coma could simply be induced on the subject and the memories extracted from their dormant mind.

However, in regards to this method, William Miles revealed that by being uncooperative and refusing to move, it would make reviewing memories hard enough so that it would take weeks to try and force such information out of an individual.

Even when done voluntarily, initially reliving genetic memories could prove difficult, as most participants subconsciously rejected the foreign memories. Traumatic genetic memories were also difficult to access, at least until the subject had greatly increased their synchronization with their ancestor.

Additionally, based on one memory that Desmond Miles witnessed with his ancestor, Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad, genetic memory of one individual appeared to stop upon the conception of the next ancestor, from which the viewer was descended. On the occasion where Altaïr and Maria Thorpe conceived their second son, Desmond's ancestral focus shifted from Altaïr to the child.

Memory within memory patterns could also be exhibited, given certain conditions. Subject 15, for example, relived genetic memories while she was pregnant. During this time, the memories decoded by the Animus competed for priority, as the machine attempted to read the memories of both the fetus' mother and father.

A similar case occurred when Desmond viewed the later memories of Ezio Auditore. 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.

Memory extraction

Main article: Memory extraction

By the early 21st century, Abstergo had found a way to extract memories from the genetic memory of certain individuals and to let other subjects relive those memories using the Data Dump Scanner software.

Memory extraction served as the basis for Abstergo's Project Legacy, which focused on obtaining information on the Assassins and the Pieces of Eden though extracted memories, and the Animi Training Program, which used extracted memories as a means to train Abstergo's agents. Extracted memories were also later inserted into the privatized Animi sold by Abstergo Entertainment.