Pasiphae Institute

The ***Pasiphaë Institute for Xenoreproductive Studies*** (PIXS) is a United Earth public research and development organization aiding the efforts of human expansion into space. As such it is working closely with UESA and the UESC, but is otherwise an independent research body. The PIXS has its roots in the late 21st century secret research program "HGPP" and its successor Pasiphae Project.

Pasiphae Institute's focus is fundamental research to establish procedures and best practices for cross species procreation with the goal to secure humankind's position and safety as it comes into contact with an increasing number of alien species.

## Organizational Structure

Pasiphae Institute is organized in subdivisions specializing in different fields of expertise.

* Scientific
	+ Specimen Discovery and Recruiting
	+ Breeding Teams and Data Analysis
* Support
	+ Administration
	+ Technical Support
	+ Security

## History

### HGPP (2080-2113)

The ***Human Genome Preservation Program*** was a secret interdisciplinary research and development undertaking that ran from 2080 to 2113. It was established to find ways to combat a new disease affecting the formation of gametes and thereby inhibiting human reproduction. The disease, dubbed Exvid-76 was caused by an extraterrestrial virus brought back to earth in 2076 by one of the early interstellar exploration missions.

When it became clear that Exvid-76 had the potential to become a global pandemic that could lead to the extinction of mankind, first measures taken under advice by HGPP scientists were the establishment of isolated colonies of non-infected humans on newly discovered habitable planets. Other efforts to stop the spread of sterility failed, until in 2113 a research team discovered the highly adaptive reproductive system of life-forms on one of the exoplanets.

HGPP scientists were successful in developing a gene-code altering therapy based on alien gametes that modifies the human reproductive system. Consequently it allows for sexual reproduction across species boundaries.

With its mission goal accomplished, the program ended shortly after.

### Pasiphaë (2113-2119)

After the successful, but hurried development of a gene therapy in late 2113 a successor program to HGPP was authorized with the goal to determine the impact of a modified human genome without the pressure of an existential threat. Main goal of the program was to methodically study opportunities and risks presented by the possibility of sexual reproduction across species boundaries.

At its core the Project consisted mainly of former HGPP members, military and support personnel. Staff was primarily stationed on several research vessels in orbit around the Planet Keto and on the planet itself. After only six years, the project finally went public and was transformed into a permanent public research Institute with locations and outposts throughout explored space.

## Project Name

The project title Pasiphaë is taken from Greek mythology.

Pasiphaë, daughter of Helios and wife of Minos, the King of Crete was cursed to lust for a bull because her husband had tricked Poseidon. In order to copulate with the Bull, she employed the service of the Athenian artificer Daedalus who constructed a fake cow which she could climb into. As a result of this union, Pasiphaë gave birth to Asterion, also called the Minotaur.