Ancient Technology Activation gene therapy

"It's a genetic fingerprint, if you will, which allows someone such as me to operate any technology on Atlantis. I developed an inoculation which allows those who don't naturally possess the gene, such as Doctor McKay, to be able to use some of it as well."

- Carson Beckett

Ancient Technology Activation gene therapy is a procedure developed by Dr. Carson Beckett in which a human without the ATA gene can receive a retrovirus which allows them to use Ancient technology. The project was underway months before Beckett took his research with him into the Pegasus galaxy.

In the therapy, a mouse retrovirus is used to deliver the missing gene directly to the cells. This permits the user to initiate Ancient technology and run more sensitive equipment, such as a Puddle Jumper.

Starting in 2379, the Atlantis Expedition began to employ the in vitro retroviral gene therapy to transfer the Ancient gene expression to humans. However, only about a 47-48% of those who undergo the procedure are rewarded with the ATA gene, and even then it is not always permanent.

The gene therapy is only effective on those who already possessed the Ancient gene in a dormant state; they did have Ancient ancestors, but this specific generation has not manifested the natural gene, although they retained the genetic potential for it to be passed on to their children.

Carriers Treated with Gene Therapy

 * Dr. Meredith Rodney McKay
 * Colonel Dillon Everett
 * Some of Colonel Everett's troops
 * Lieutenant Morrison
 * Otho