Plasmid

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Plasmids are special serums made from processed ADAM that introduce modified stem cells into the body, allowing for genetic modification and mutation, giving the user what some might call "super powers". Active Plasmids require EVE for use, while passive Plasmids, called Gene Tonics, provide an effect merely by being equipped. Plasmids are powerful, but excessive use of them leads to physical and mental addiction and instability. This was a major factor in the eventual downfall of Rapture society.
==History==
===Creation and Uses===
When Brigid Tenenbaum discovered the properties of ADAM and was seeking Frank Fontaine's help for financing and equipment, the latter introduced her to Yi Suchong, another brilliant geneticist. Together, the two scientists developed the first Plasmids for what would eventually become Fontaine Futuristics, Fontaine's own science company. Plasmids were first introduced to Rapture's consumers as domestic aids (start a fire instantly, pick up objects from a distance, light a lamp by zapping it with electricity, etc.) although their use could still be distorted into harmful ways.
This reality became apparent when Rapture's security forces were confronted with groups of SplicersBill McDonagh's Audio Diary: Fontaine's Army while conducting an arrest of Fontaine and seizure of his properties in connection to the smuggling ring.Sullivan's Audio Diary: Smuggling Ring With Fontaine's presumed death in the shoot-outs, the Central Council transferred stewardship of his ADAM product company to Andrew Ryan and Ryan Industries. This takeover was objected to by parts of Rapture's population rejecting government involvement in business and those believing in Fontaine's charity works. This led to tensions growing in the city.
===The Genetic Arms Race===
Preparing for the disorder to come, Ryan started marketing ADAM products to be used for citizens' home defense under his own company's brand. A civil war erupted after Atlas's followers bombed the 1958 New Year's Eve celebrations at the Kashmir Restaurant. The use of Plasmids evolved into a genetic arms raceBill McDonagh's Audio Diary: Genetic Arms Race, as both sides of the conflict further equipped themselves. Field tests were conducted by Sinclair Solutions on more powerful and diverse Plasmids and Tonics. The population degenerated into insanity as side-effects of ADAM overuse became endemic. Ryan finally resorted to adding mental control pheromones into his products to influence the Splicers and win the war against Atlas.
===An Alternative to Injections===
Before the civil war, Suchong worked on a new form of Plasmid which used oral ingestion rather than injection into the bloodstream. This method, while better from a marketing standpoint, required use of at least ten times the previous quantity of ADAM, and Fontaine recalled the production because of the excessive cost in raw genetic material.Frank Fontaine's Audio Diary: Product Recall When Fontaine Futuristics passed into Ryan's hands, the latter re-introduced them for sales as a painless alternative to the original injectable products and under the Ryan Industries brand.
The idea itself was exploited by Jeremiah Fink, a businessman using trans-dimensional technologies to plagiarize scientific wonders from the neighboring reality, to create his own Vigors. Fink stole Suchong's work on ADAM and improved it in his own laboratories, though ironically the scientist was able to profit from this situation and proposed the idea to Ryan as his own after taking notes of Fink's procedures.Yi Suchong's Audio Diary: Observation #33 Their production in Rapture was abandoned sometime during the civil war when ADAM became a valuable resource to win the conflict and shortage was burdening both sides.
==Plasmid Listings==
==Gallery==
Plasmid Bottle Concept Art.jpg|Concept art for the Plasmid bottle.
Plasmid.png|A Plasmid bottle in-game.
Bshock plasmidsign.jpg|An Electro Bolt/Plasmid neon sign.
Welcomemural.png|"Pick your Plasmid and evolve!"
Plasmid Poster.png|"Evolution in a bottle!"
Health Happiness.jpg|"Health and happiness through genetics."
Plasmid ad potential.jpg|"Limitless potential with Plasmids."
Incinerate!! by Plasmid.gif|A shot from the Incinerate! training video.
BaSE2 Plasmid Mod Upgrade.jpg|A Plasmid Mod upgrade in Burial at Sea - Episode 2.
BioShock Rapture Sticker Sheet.jpg|BioShock-themed real-world stickers, featuring the Plasmid bottle.
BioShock Plasmid Pin Box.png|Real-world BioShock Plasmid pin box.
BioShock Plasmids Glow-in-the-Dark Pin.png|Real-world Plasmids sign glow-in-the-dark pin.
Youtooz BioShock Pin Set.png|Real-world Youtooz BioShock pin set, featuring the Plasmid bottle and Electro Bolt's icon.
Youtooz Adam Plasmid Plush.png|Real-world Youtooz "ADAM Plasmid" plush.
==Behind the Scenes==
*The use of the name "Plasmids" was inspired by the term in genetics for circular extra-chromosomal DNA strands that can be found in cell's mitochondria, in bacteria, and some eukaryotic cells. These molecules are commonly used as vectors in genetic engineering.Plasmid on Wikipedia.
*The player uses a Plasmid given by Brigid Tenenbaum to remove the ADAM Sea Slug from the Little Sisters. Not only is this is the only unnamed Plasmid, it also isn't contained in any Plasmid/Tonic Slot.
**A storyboard for BioShock 2 shows Tenenbaum sending Subject Delta this Plasmid via the pneumo during their first meeting. In the final version of the game, however, Delta already has this ability. A line in the game's text files also reveals its name as Little Sister Antidote, and that it was to be given to Delta in Ryan Amusements, which introduce him to gathering and harvesting.
*In the early development video of BioShock, Hunting the Big Daddy, the player could wield Plasmids in both hands at once.
*Originally, Plasmids appeared as small, white bottles with red caps and red labels. This is evident from BioShock's Hunting the Big Daddy video, when finding the removed Plasmid, Splicer Irritant.
*In the original BioShock trailer, Plasmids (the Plasmid in use was shown to be Insect Swarm) were shown to be much smaller and thinner, more reminiscent of needles of the time.BioShock Trailer on YouTube But they were soon updated to the more current models, at some time in the development.
*Plasmids can be both Injectable (as seen in BioShock and BioShock 2) and Drinkable (as seen in Burial at Sea). Injectable Plasmids can be made drinkable by the use of an oxidizing agent; however, this changes the Plasmid's qualities and requires 10 times as much ADAM to produce.
*The "campy" Plasmid training video slideshows were drawn by Robb Waters.Graphics section Robb Waters' portfolio
*The iconic "Plasmids" sign with the hand shooting Electro Bolt was designed by Laura Zimmermann.Laura Zimmermann's Portfolio (Archived)
==References==
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ru:Плазмиды
Category:Plasmids
Category:BioShock
Category:BioShock 2
Category:BioShock 2 Multiplayer
Category:Burial at Sea DLC
Category:Rapture Inventions