Ancient Technology Activation gene

The Ancient Technology Activation (ATA) Gene, is a specific gene expression present within the DNA of the Ancients that was used as a sort of "genetic key", so only their kind can operate their technology.

Overview
According to Dr. Beckett, who discovered its existence, the ATA gene is always on, instructing various cells in the body to produce a series of proteins and enzymes that interact with the skin, the nervous system and the brain, allowing gene carriers to operate Ancient technology. Since a small percentage of humans from Earth are descendants of the Ancients, some of them already have this gene.

Some Ancient technology only needs to be "activated" by someone possessing this gene and it remains usable to those without the gene afterward. Some other technology, however, cannot be used by someone without the gene (for example, only those with the ATA gene can interact with the neural interface of a control chair, pilot a Puddle jumper, or use the life signs detector). The ancient technology that requires the gene is amazingly well-protected by it. The Asgard group that attempted to activate the Attero device, the Vanir, had spent hundreds, maybe even thousands of years trying to activate it without the gene with no success. Ultimately they kidnapped McKay and Jackson to do it for them and McKay's ATA gene successfully unlocked the device's controls.

Not all gene carriers can use Ancient mind-reading technology in the same way. Skill seems to be dependent on two main factors: confidence and CIA. Confidence and the ability to maintain a relaxed mind are important to sending the right commands to the devices - in one instance, two people were nearly killed when the user of a control chair's fear of activating a weapons system actually caused the chair to activate it, most likely mistaking the thought for a command. Chair interface aptitude (CIA) measures the natural ability to use specifically the control chair, although it is likely it applies for all similar technologies of ancient origin. This does not measure how well the user can use the technology, more how well the user could use the technology based on the strength of the gene in the body. It will, therefore, requite more focus and effort (and perhaps more time) on the part of a user with lower CIA to send a command to a device than someone with a higher CIA - and so the Atlantis Expedition always uses those with the highest CIAs to control the city's defense systems. Ability to control Ancient technology seems to be greater with those who posses the gene naturally - although this is by no means a proven fact - and it is likely that people under the influence of the repository of knowledge also have greater confidence and skill in using the technology.

Starting in 2004, the Atlantis Expedition team began to employ the in vivo retroviral gene therapy (using a deactivated mouse retrovirus) 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 first one inoculated was Doctor Rodney McKay, on whom the treatment was successful. It has since allowed him to further his research on Ancient technology and fly Ancient ships.

The harmless but important effects of the ATA gene on the body are easily detected by even the most basic of Ancient sensors. Almost all Ancient technology responds in some way to it's presence on contact or even just in proximity, such as lights in a room activating or a secure control console or piece of technology unlocking itself. Ancient handheld medical scanners can detect and measure the strength of the gene.

As with the Tau'ri, some humans born in the Pegasus galaxy posses the gene, most probably because they have Lantean ancestry. The Lord Protector and his entire family carried it and used it to control Ancient technology that allowed him to maintain power, but it was growing very weak in their family and the Lord Protector wanted his daughter to marry Sheppard as he had the strongest gene they had seen in generations. Also, Harmony and her family possessed the gene and used it, along with the control key, to access the mini-drone control console.

Naturally
Although the individuals mentioned here received the gene naturally (ie. from their parents), the gene itself may be artificial in origin - created by an early generation of Ancients and passed down since.


 * Ancients
 * Arxanti (Ancient descendents) (Stargate SG-1: The Cost of Honor)
 * Chosen (Dalerans, Ancient descendents) (Stargate Atlantis: The Chosen)
 * Jack O'Neill
 * John Sheppard
 * Carson Beckett
 * Beckett clone
 * Sgt. Markham
 * Dr. Kusanagi (mentioned but never seen)
 * Joe Spencer
 * Evan Lorne
 * Harmony
 * Flora
 * Mardola
 * Lord Protector
 * Mara
 * Tavius
 * Hugh Griffin

By Tau'ri Gene Therapy

 * Rodney McKay
 * Dillon Everett
 * Some of Col. Everett's troops
 * Lt. Morrison
 * Otho

Unknown Source

 * Dr. Abrams
 * Lt. Miller

Unsuccessful Gene Therapy

 * Radek Zelenka

Possible Gene

 * Daniel Jackson may possess some variant of the gene given his Ascension- much like Anubis was able to use Ancient technology due to his half-Ascended state-, but he was never seen using Ancient technology save for when he used Merlin's Repository of Knowledge.
 * Michael's Hybrids possibly possess the gene, because they were able to move a jumper and use it to infiltrate Atlantis's control room. This is possibly done by the gene therapy. Michael held Carson Beckett's clone prisoner for two years and had him work for him. He possessed the knowledge and Ancient gene of the original Beckett.
 * Neeva may have it as she was able to activate a communication stone which must at least be initalized for someone to use. Hers may or may not have been and Keller's was initalized by someone else.

Trivia

 * O'Neill and Sheppard apparently have a very strong form of the gene, and operate Ancient technology almost instinctively.
 * It is possible the ATA Gene-produced proteins and enzymes cause the synaptic pathways in the nervous system to generate minute electromagnetic fields that signals Ancient technology to work. However, this has yet to be confirmed.
 * In "Hot Zone", Dr. Zelenka said that the gene therapy only works for 48% of recipients. However, later in "Irresistible" Beckett told Lucius Lavin that the success rate is 47%. The change in percentage could simply be due to results from subsequent recipients.
 * The Atlantis Expedition uses a ranking system called "Chair Interface Aptitude" (or CIA) that ranks people with the ATA gene in the order of their ability to use the Ancient Control chair. The highest ranked person in Atlantis is John Sheppard, followed by cloned Dr. Carson Beckett
 * According to Dr. Nicholas Rush the Ancient starship Destiny predates the necessity of the ATA Gene.