Genetic memory
- 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.
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.
The Theory
- "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
The theory of genetic memory is pure fiction. 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 "animal instinct". However, the mechanism for the preservation of memories in DNA does not exist, as memories are created, maintained, modified, and lost in the structure and interactions of the brain's neurons. Modern science holds that the source of inborn knowledge likely comes from two sources: 1) the animal's environment, and 2) the structure of the animal's brain. While the brain's structure is determined by genetics, it is impossible to store any sort of memory in a gene.
The Animus
- Main article: Animus
In the world of Assassin's Creed, genetic memory exists. The Animus is a machine developed to read 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 16 different subjects.
In the second game, Desmond's 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 line continues.
In Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood, Desmond uses the Animus 2.0 at the Assassin's Hideout in the Sanctuary to view the second half of Ezio's life.
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