At the time of the humanity exodus, genetic engineering had become a highly mature science, thanks in part to the discovery of the the Saito-Risteysnen stabilizing protein, a regulatory protein that helps reduce genetic instability. Now on its third generation (SRSP-3), SRSP was isolated through the namesake researchers’ work with extremophile organisms.
In Humans
A variety of postnatal genetic therapies were available on the market, though their approval process was highly regulated. An even smaller subset of therapies were approved for embryonic use due to ethics around heritability, though a few approved changes were so widely adopted that they essentially altered the human genome. These include changes that allowed humans to live longer and in better health, and the eradication of certain genetically borne conditions.
Controversially, suites of changes designed to help humans live off-world were restricted to postnatal use. After living off-world for generations, families argued that treating the all human populations as “terrestrial expatriates” led to a lower quality of life for their children. The humanity exodus was notable for loosening the restrictions placed on embryonic gene editing after fleeing the cradle system, to help their population tolerate life aboard the ark station and on the surface of Europa. In contrast, most elective postnatal therapies vanished from use during the transit period. As a result of this divergence, the human genome of the Europan population is akin to a distinct subspecies of human.
In Non-Humans
Genetic engineering in non-human organisms was more experimental. Regulations focused primarily on containment and remediation protocols with an eye towards mitigating unforeseen ecological consequences. Many of these restrictions were not applicable for off-world labs without native ecologies to impact; rather, these settings essentially required the use of genetic engineering in order to sustain human health and agriculture. As a result, the majority of this research occurred on Mars or stations in orbit. As a result, the ark station inherited extensive genetic engineering facilities from its former life as a cycler station, including extensive cryobanks of preserved genetic material.