This article is concerns biological mutants; for fictional aspects see Mutant (fictional)
A mutant is an individual, organism, or new genetic character arising or resulting from an instance of mutation, which is a sudden structural change within the DNA of a gene or chromosome of an organism resulting in the creation of a new character or trait not found in the parental type. In an organism or individual, the new character or trait may or may not be trivial, but it is rarely beneficial and will usually result in either a genetic disorder or have no observable effect whatsoever.
Occasionally, a body cell in a healthy organism may acquire a mutation caused by a genetic error occurring during routine cell division. Such an error may result in cancer.
Mutants are supposedly the next stage in human evolution and are often called “homo superior” (homo sapiens superior) as opposed to “homo sapien” (homo sapiens sapiens).
The idea of geneticmutants was concocted by Marvel editor/writer Stan Lee in the early 1960s as a means to create a large number of superheroes and villains without having to think of a separate origin for each one.
Mutants such as the Scarlet Witch and her brother Quicksilver for example, who incidently are Magneto's children, haven't recieved the same treatment as other mutants have by the majority of the ordinary human population.
Feeds |
Contact