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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Sir Brennen" data-source="post: 2493229" data-attributes="member: 553">Thornir's explaination is quite reasonable.I think the assumption that might be off the mark is that they want the copies to be intrafertile.  I don't think that's the case.  I think the cylon's religious/metaphysical beliefs are leading their 'experiment' - the idea of 'merging with their makers' in a very literal sense might be driving their efforts.  Think of it as the religious stem-cell arguments in reverse <img src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f642.png" class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" width="64" height="64" alt=":)" title="Smile    :)"  data-smilie="1"data-shortname=":)" />My take on this is the cylons have pushed the limits on what 'genetically engineered' means.  When we do it today, we're only working with existing information in a particular genome, manipulating existing characteristics to express themselves (or not), or, in some cases, simply splicing characteristics from another source to existing genes (like bioluminessence.)  We cannot, however, add totally new genes or genetic material designed from scratch.  I think the cylons can, either by replacing the 'junk' DNA the human genome is full of, or by making the DNA strands of genes much more densely packed. This would have a different molecular structure. However, through a conventional microscope it could be made to still appear contained in the standard number of human chromosomes.  Only rigorous genetic profiling (which is all the 'cylon detector' appears to be) would reveal the differences. Think of it this way: in the computer world, you can have hardware system A which can run software which allows it to function as if the hardware system B. B is a virtual machine, by which A can now run software programs designed for B.  So the cylon copies are running a human 'virtual machine' on top of their genome, which gives all the outward appearances of a human (from blood to interfertility with real humans.)  The base machine (genome), however, contains all the 'extra-human' abilities - superior strength, 'uploading' of their consciousness to other copies at death, glowing spinal columns during sex... However, should the cylon models intrabreed, it would be like system A trying to run another copy of system A, but through system B.  Possible, but usually system B is less complex than A, so it is not capable of running a copy of A.  A, however, is much more likely to be able to run another copy of B (a hybrid baby.)  This is probably the approach the cylons are taking.It likely takes a great deal of effort to design these base genomes plus the human gene expressions they are emulating, thus the limited number of models we see...  The human genome being emulated might have to be very specific, also, and need to come from an actual human sample.  This might be another reason behind the 'farms'.  I also think Starbuck may be one of those with suitable characteristics, and we may be seeing a few copies of her as 'Model 13' (the model for Kobol?)Again, I think the Cylons are letting the tenets of their belief system guide their efforts, and the more direct approach you suggest may not satisfy the metaphysical goal behind it all.  (Doesn't matter if the naturally conceived hybrids are actually embued with a 'soul'; what matters is if the cylons believe they are.)  They could do what you're suggesting, they just don't want to.</blockquote>

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