Other topics: Lexicon, Metagene, Mutant, Tunguska Event.
A mutant is a metahuman whose abilities stem from an artificially awakened metagene. Since WWII, both the US and Russian governments have maintained research programs dedicated to the study of the metagene with the goal of creating super soldiers. Although the Cold War has ended, both countries are continuing their research. The rapid increase in organized crime in the former Soviet Union, as well as the expansion of NATO, appear to be the Russian government's impetus to maintain its program in spite of the cost. Funding for the US's metahuman project comes from the Black Budget. Although no information has been released regarding success by either government in artificially stimulating the metagene, independent research indicates that; (a) no method's been proven to be 100% successful, and (b) the abilities associated with an artificially stimulated metagene are fewer and less potent than those originating from one that has awakened naturally.
Known attempts at stimulating the metagene into activation have used various derivatives of adrenaline (popular during WWII), some forms of radiation, and special drugs. The possibility of physical and psychological side effects associated with the artificial stimulation of the metagene is far greater than that found in a metahuman. Skin and hair discoloration are more common (though still unusual), and terminal conditions resulting from the stimulated metagene are said to be possible (exact govt. figures regarding this have never been released to the public). Psychological problems are believed to be more likely in a mutant as well (as before, the govt. has released no information associated with this).
METAGENE RESEARCH DURING WORLD WAR II - KGB FILES REVEAL ATTROCITIES AGAINST METAHUMANS:
MOSCOW - Recently declassified files released by Russia's Federal Security Service detail the systematic persecution of metahumans that occurred during the dictatorship of Joseph Stalin. Documents from the former leader's personal archives reveal his fear of 'counter revolution' at the hands of those 'possessed of dangerous abilities,' and his subsequent issuance of 'Directive 12' which gave the NKVD authorization to arrest, detain and execute any known or suspected metahumans. Those arrested who weren't executed were either sent to 'centers of research' to be studied, or to one of the many forced labor camps in the infamous 'Gulag Archipelago.' Russian advances in metagene research can be traced to horrific experimentation on metahuman and suspected metahuman prisoners of the NKVD at this time. Such research was conducted with great urgency after the Nazi invasion of 1941. However, the 'liquidation' of many Russian scientists during Stalin's purges tempered even greater advancements in the field.