Jem'Hadar production lines

[Myasishchev]

One of the great things about the Vorta was that there were only like five of them, and they kept showing up, particularly Weyoun. This, of course, was due to the peculiar nature of their species, a group cloned from a few production lines for missions specific to their genetically-granted skills. Also apparently some of them were telekinetic but let's ignore that.

Now, the Jem'Hadar were essentially in the same boat as the Vorta. They were all clones, all genetically engineered for a particular purpose, and yet... they displayed differentiation to a degree expected from a sexual species. Different heights, builds, features.

Were there thousands of Jem'Hadar production lines? We can only presume so, although to what end is not apparent.

Personally, I think this was a missed opportunity. Limiting it to a few Jem'Hadar production lines would have allowed a recurring Jem'Hadar character or two, and let us get to know them the same way we got to know Weyoun and Keevan. The dramatic possibilities of a Jem'Hadar who will always be a Second except in the brief period between the death of his First and the arrival of his identical replacement, would also have to be reckoned. It would've been quite cool to have, say, Ikat'ika reappear from episode to episode. Even after he was executed.

 

[Nightdiamond]

Hi Myasishchev, my view is that the difference between the Vorta and the Jem Hadar, is that while the Vorta are cloned, the Jem Hadar are said to be bred.

This seem to imply that the Jem Hadar are bred from pre-programmed genetic scratch, and each Jem Hadar is different. For example,The process could be computer controlled, with the computer stimulating a pre programmed gentic sample to begin developing, until it emerges as an infant.

Damar said that his troops weren't bred in 'hatcheries' like the Jem Hadar were.

Hmm maybe the template for these Jem Hadar are successful Firsts or honored elders, what do you think?

 

[Myasishchev]

The differentiation might well be something like that, which would replace sexual reproduction as a source of genetic diversity. I suppose the Jem'Hadar are exposed to and expected to adapt to a completely different set of environmental conditions than the rather static Vorta. Pathogens, climate, predators (i.e., Dominion subjects)--these are far more subject to change than the rigid bureaucratic roles which the Vorta play.

For what it's worth, though, Moore did follow much the same tack as suggested in the OP with the Cylons.

 

[Jono]

There probably would be thousands of Vorta "production lines" as well.