End of the Clan Phenotypes?

[Dahmin_Toran]

At least in the Inner Sphere. With the centuries (at least by the ilClan era) in the Inner Sphere, the vast number of Freeborns, the introduction of Freeborn genes (Such as Kell and Magnusson) into the pool, and the introduction of Freeborns into the Toumans of Clans...do you see the eventual dilution of the Clan phenotypes?

[rebs]

Absolutely not.  There's no reason that that the phenotypes will be diluted, even by new Bloodhouses.  All of the Clans were founded by freeborns,  so too are all of the phenotypes.   If anything, I can't wait to see more trueborn characters from these new bloodlines.

[SteveRestless]

Could easily be avoided by not cross-breeding traditional bloodlines with the new adoptees until time has moulded those adopted lines produce warriors that conform to phenotype standards. If it happens it'll happen because the clan was not careful in its actions

[Zeruel]

I personally don't see how adding Freeborn genes to the pool would diminish phenotypes...afterall, the Clans started with no phenotypes and as all Freeborn, it is in their scientific ability to create the phenotypes using genetic engineering, so they would add what new Freeborn genes they want, but maintain the phenotyping

[rebs]

I agree that the clan scientists will keep things carefully in check.  If not, then things might deteriorate.   But I really don't see that being a worry, as per my first post. 

[Hellraiser]

Try to also remember that any freeborn that manages to get added to the Bloodnamed list is going to already be one heck of a warrior who has clearly done something serious to earn such inclusion, so I'm sure the genetics aren't "junk" to begin with.

[Kerfuffin(925)]

if anything they have added more.
HH had the tank-warrior
HH/GB had the super elemental
SR kept working on their naval phenotypes
and then the El-stars have been hinted at as well

[AlphaMirage]

I feel like the Phenotype thing is overblown anyhow. Mechwarrior bloodlines seem to be basically the same quality as the standard IS noble house lines (The Kells, Kurita, and Davions, etc...). I subscribe to the point that its the Clan culture of intensive training starting at a young age that makes them better Mechwarriors, same with the DCMS in its prime.
For the Elementals you can find plenty of Freeborns in that size range and breed them in with maternal DNA from the Trueborns to keep that fresh if you wanted to.
I suspect that the Aerospace phenotype is probably doomed but it wasn't that much better in the first place hampered as it was by most Clans' aversion to Aerospace combat they are only really useful as Proto pilots but few Clans use them either.

I don't see other phenotypes taking off either who use low grade genetic engineering when you could just select candidates from a vast pool and train them better.

[Jellico]

You are missing numbers.

Warriors make up a greater proportion of the population than they do in the Inner Sphere.

Phenotypes mean the Clans can produce adequate numbers of the specialist humans they need.

And we have had enough examples of Mechwarrior families to know there is a genetic component involved.

[Zeruel]

I will agree that if any phenotypes were to be removed, it would most likely be the aero phenotype as they haven't really shown to have much advantage over regular pilots (the phenotype isn't even used by all the Clans)...this is with the caveat that as long as protomechs are around, the aero type is needed, although I could see the type being engineered more specifically for protos

[Kerfuffin(925)]

I will agree that if any phenotypes were to be removed, it would most likely be the aero phenotype as they haven't really shown to have much advantage over regular pilots (the phenotype isn't even used by all the Clans)...this is with the caveat that as long as protomechs are around, the aero type is needed, although I could see the type being engineered more specifically for protos

In one of the later Era Reports they talk about a late ProtoMech phenotype for a couple of the heavy users.

[Intermittent_Coherence]

As I recall, phenotypes are to a certain degree inheritable across generations.
An Elemental's freeborn offspring will still be larger than the average freeborn even if not necessarily as big as someone decanted from the iron wombs. Big enough for Elemental suits, which while adaptable for a standard human's size is still optimised for Elemental phenotypes.
And this is assuming it's an actual Elemental warrior, as opposed to an Elemental who washed out of training and got reassigned to the civilian caste. Bottomline is, there will always be more of them.

[Ice Hellion]

And we have had enough examples of Mechwarrior families to know there is a genetic component involved.

I remember reading about a Kurita study that said the opposite (I don't remember where I read that) and that the Draconis Combine would be better not focusing on the "nobles" and their families for breeding the next generation of 'MechWarriors. Of course, the message had to be altered as such a truth was not audible.