Human Venom

[baggers]

In the decades to come, I foresee humans splitting into many diverse clades through the use of genetic engineering. The differences will be minor at first, but as time passes, there will eventually be entirely new species of humans within our society. And since some of them will be doing jobs that we are unable or unwilling to do (colonising hostile planets, tending to ecologys in the ocean depths), how much could we really complain about them?

Specialisation in humans is different from specialisation in insects

I agree some "specialisation" will come when humanity will go to other planets for colonization.

But it will be a real major breaking of ethic. differents "races"...

In a point of view of evolution or "homo" story, it's banality: having only one specie of "homo sapiens" is the anomality today. Usually, many compatible or uncompatible species live together.

But if tomorow, it change, I could only imagine what that would done...

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Could you elaborate on that?

Asymetrical war go for some differents things than the "brute" comparsion of military power or effiency. I personnaly like the David Galula book, but it's a bit off topic.

The idea is that a metahuman would probably causes more problem than it solve in the case of a counter-insurrection purpose. (not to mention a insurrection of metahumans...)

[Stargate525]

The skills and abilitys desired in a soldier have actually remained fairly consistent throughout history. He needs to be able to march long distances with a pack, make camp in unappealing locations, operate various types of weapons and equipment, work with others as part of a team, engage other humans in lethal combat, etc. Specialisation in humans is different from specialisation in insects

Long-distance marching is actually fairly new; most medieval and even renaissance armies were laughably slow. Further, you don't need that with soldiers on garrison duty or non-infantry units.

Operation of equipment is also fairly new; until industrialization and rifles, your 'operation' for most of the armies was 'swing this thing at the other guy.' Until very recently, there has been no need for a more adaptable soldier in terms of training on equipment.

Teamwork in the sense you're talking is a product of the modern military squad-based doctrine.

And the only way I can imagine making people better at shooting other people is to remove their empathy. That is an incredibly stupid idea, as you're then fielding a military made of nothing but sociopaths.

None of the stuff you've mentioned, though, is specific to soldiers. That list isn't a 'better soldier,' that list is a 'better human.' He's just generally more fit and tough.

[Kryten]

Given the current nature of most military conflicts, isn't making soldiers far more expensive then they already are for some pretty minor gains basically a win for the other guys?

[kerbiloid]

Superhuman warriors have been tested already. Nothing special, just more loot to gather.

https://www.google.com/search?q=super+mutant+behemoth&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=zTNxVaHnOeeiyAPUmIHIDA&ved=0CBwQsAQ&biw=1920&bih=961