Genetics are complex. Part of what makes a Splicer what they are are "gene fixes" and "tailored virii". Gene fixes probably don't carry down through the genetic line and I am positive that tailor virii wouldn't. Mesh inserts, the brain computer, and a cortial stack probably also don't transfer well. I seem to recall the entry for cortial stacks stating that only bioconservatives and the extremely young don't have them so it's probably part of growing up. The Exo-womb, which I'm convinced is a specalized form of a healing vat, probably places all the alterations required to make a flat into a splicer.

Once you stop genefixing each new born you let nature take it's course. Mutation will resume without any means to counter act it aside from selective breeding. Effectively they would be flats after a single generation: no stack, no mesh access, no tailored virii. Basically you'd have a Hollywood caveman; a flat with good genetics.

Do we really know enough about genetics to know if breeding gene spliced humans will breed correctly? My guess is, in EP, transhumanity has developed sufficient understanding with ecology and bio-design that this isn't likely to be a problem with newer morphs. There might be problems with the first generation of splicers. Being the first generation of morphs that were significantly different from baseline human strains, they may suffer problems with breeding that will not show up in day to day activities. I however, would not recommend you try breeding between morph species. Its difficult to guess as to what will happen when 2 different high end models try to mate. Likewise, I would worry about breeding any 2 morphs that 2 very different bioware augmentations (such special genes might mix weird). A different concern is that the hypercorps tend to copyright genes. They may include certain errors that will prevent 2 morphs from breeding safely, and they'll claim that the problems that arise is due to the field being a difficult subject. Thats the BS they try to sell to uplifts that try to breed. They'll recommend that you check in with them to ensure that nothing is wrong, and they'll offer a number of recommendations and special treatments (that will cost credits) to increase the odds that nothing goes wrong. God help you if you end up trying to breed models that were produced by different hypercorps. It'll probably be copyright nightmare. ---- Regarding Nanoswarms. The description for medichines says that it is possible to turn them off or otherwise alter how they act. In most cases, mesh inserts would be the easiest way to control them. Under normal circumstances, they'll actively remove alcohol from you system as you drink, but they can be told not to do so if you want to get drunk. Likewise, they'll also prevent you from getting dangerously drunk, unless you send them another override. I'm fairly sure that with the right overrides, most models of medichines will allow you to die, let you suffer damage in a specific region in your body, or let a specific parasite to live (which what a fetus of an unborn child may look like).

Since exo-wombs are much better option then natural birth (not to mention little thing called pain) almost all births will be done that way (letting nature decide genetics of the child would be considered irresponsible in such a society, so exo-womb is practically only option). On the other side, as you mentioned, if there is large risk of being cut away from rest of (trans)humanity by new colonists and not enough infrastructure for required technology splicer morphs could be remade to be entirely breed-able (nanoswarms programmed to leave the mother body and enter fetus to change it as desired/possible in this environment. I presume that large alteration can not be done this way). This could be done by Titan commonwealth and alike. If hypercorps send colonists in such environment: that is just acceptable risk.

Doc Solomon wrote:

My take on it is that differing morphs cannot conceive a child together, the rulebook states that morphs are different species. Culturally, they are transhuman, but genetically, they are as different as a human is to a chimp is to a bonobo. Very closely related, by mere percentages, but wholly separate species. I doubt morphs are like dogs where two breeds make a mutt, or how horses & donkeys make a mule, strikes me as corporations would fix that to retain intellectual fidelity of their product. (Though I imagine it may be possible to 'jailbreak' your morph to allow this, perhaps)

This is how I feel about it: I generally assume that different morphs are completely incompatible with one another. You might occasionally find a couple matches that result in a mule-esque hybrid, but otherwise I think that chromosomal differences and other nuances between morphs simply make it impossible.