Boren's Syndrome: Difference between revisions

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{{Disambig header|the fictional disease|the Bungie writer|Brannon Boren}}
{{Disambig header|the fictional disease|the Bungie writer|Brannon Boren}}
'''Boren's Syndrome''' is a fictitious [[human]] disease used as a cover up [[ONI]] created to hide the identity of the [[ORION Project|Spartan-I]]s.  
'''Boren's Syndrome''' is a fictitious [[human]] disease used as a cover up [[Office of Naval Intelligence|ONI]] created to hide the identity of the [[ORION Project|Spartan-I]]s.  


==Public knowledge==
==Public knowledge==
Information about this "disease" was spread to the public by the [[Office of Naval Intelligence]] following the end of the ORION Project, complete with a list of symptoms. The disease allegedly caused tumors and migraines, and was supposedly caused by exposure to certain types of radiation.
Information about this "disease" was spread to the public by the [[Office of Naval Intelligence]] following the end of the ORION Project, complete with a list of symptoms. The disease allegedly caused tumors and migraines, and was supposedly caused by exposure to certain types of radiation.


Claims as to the cause of the disease include inhaling the gases released when a [[Type-51 Carbine]] magazine is ejected and being exposed to [[Plasma Grenade]] radiation, although these causes are either ONI cover-ups or battlefield superstition. In reality, the "disease" was the product of modifications made to ORION project candidates.
Claims as to the cause of the disease include inhaling the gases released when a [[Type-51 Carbine]] magazine is ejected and being exposed to [[Type-1 Antipersonnel Grenade|Plasma Grenade]] radiation, although these causes are either ONI cover-ups or battlefield superstition. In reality, the "disease" was the product of modifications made to ORION project candidates.


Several members of the [[United Rebel Front]] claimed to have this condition, hoping to bargain with the [[UNSC]] to gain treatment for the condition in trade for some [[FENRIS Nuclear Warhead]]s they had in stock. However, their status was false, as the bargain was revealed to be a trap set up by [[Howard Graves]] in an attempt to capture [[Spartan-II]]s.
Several members of the [[United Rebel Front]] claimed to have this condition, hoping to bargain with the [[United Nations Space Command|UNSC]] to gain treatment for the condition in trade for some [[FENRIS Nuclear Warhead]]s they had in stock. However, their status was false, as the bargain was revealed to be a trap set up by [[Howard Graves]] in an attempt to capture [[SPARTAN-II Program|Spartan-IIs]].


==Cover-up==
==Cover-up==
[[Staff Sergeant]] [[Avery Johnson]]'s falsified Medical record - to hide his real, classified record - had him as a sufferer of Boren's, in which he was to have contracted the disease on [[Paris IV]], after being in contact with a dangerously high amount of radiation apparently originating from a crate of captured Plasma Grenades.<ref>''[[Halo: First Strike]]'' pages 243-245</ref>
[[Staff Sergeant]] [[Avery Junior Johnson|Avery Johnson]]'s falsified Medical record - to hide his real, classified record - had him as a sufferer of Boren's, in which he was to have contracted the disease on [[Paris IV]], after being in contact with a dangerously high amount of radiation apparently originating from a crate of captured Plasma Grenades.<ref>''[[Halo: First Strike]]'' pages 243-245</ref>


This false record event (known to ONI as the '''Paris/BS Spoof''') was likely used as a means of avoiding any investigation into his altered DNA and physiology, which would have revealed him as a SPARTAN-I. <ref>''[[Halo: Graphic Novel]] - [[Halo_Graphic_Novel_Pg122#Boren's_Syndrome_Hoax|Boren's Syndrome Hoax]]'', page 122</ref>
This false record event (known to ONI as the '''Paris/BS Spoof''') was likely used as a means of avoiding any investigation into his altered DNA and physiology, which would have revealed him as a SPARTAN-I. <ref>''[[Halo Graphic Novel|Halo: Graphic Novel]] - [[Halo_Graphic_Novel_Pg122#Boren's_Syndrome_Hoax|Boren's Syndrome Hoax]]'', page 122</ref>


==Long term effects (falsified)==
==Long term effects (falsified)==
Untreated or unsuccessfully treated, Boren's can be fatal or debilitating. While some effects, such as migraines, can be managed with medication, the tumors involved in the disease usually, or possibly always, become malignant. Because of this, treating Boren's Syndrome invariably means treating cancer, a process that can be debilitating. The only way to cure Boren's syndrome is an intensive regimen of Chemotherapy lasting for thirty weeks.
Untreated or unsuccessfully treated, Boren's can be fatal or debilitating. While some effects, such as migraines, can be managed with medication, the tumors involved in the disease usually, or possibly always, become malignant. Because of this, treating Boren's Syndrome invariably means treating cancer, a process that can be debilitating. The only way to cure Boren's syndrome is an intensive regimen of Chemotherapy lasting for thirty weeks.


According to theory, some combination of the disease's (apparently) multiple pathologies discourages [[Flood Super Cell]]s. This would explain why Sergeant Avery Johnson could not be infected when he and his squad were ambushed by the [[Flood]] on [[Installation 04]], leading Master Chief to his moral dilemma. Dr. [[Catherine Elizabeth Halsey|Catherine Halsey]] guesses that there'd be a billion to one chance that Johnson's condition could be reproduced.
According to theory, some combination of the disease's (apparently) multiple pathologies discourages [[LF.Xx.3273 Flood Super Cell|Flood Super Cells]]. This would explain why Sergeant Avery Johnson could not be infected when he and his squad were ambushed by the [[The Flood|Flood]] on [[Installation 04]], leading Master Chief to his moral dilemma. Dr. [[Catherine Elizabeth Halsey|Catherine Halsey]] guesses that there'd be a billion to one chance that Johnson's condition could be reproduced.


Technically, there is no explicit proof that Boren's Syndrome discourages Flood. It may be that the nervous system of someone with the disease simply cannot support Flood. One hypothesis is that an infection form attempting to latch on to a host with Boren's Syndrome would recognize the characteristic neurological disturbances as "irreparable damage," thus rendering the sufferer immune. However, it is highly likely that if this condition did in fact prevent Flood infection the [[Forerunner]] would have found it after hundreds of years of research into Flood prevention.
Technically, there is no explicit proof that Boren's Syndrome discourages Flood. It may be that the nervous system of someone with the disease simply cannot support Flood. One hypothesis is that an infection form attempting to latch on to a host with Boren's Syndrome would recognize the characteristic neurological disturbances as "irreparable damage," thus rendering the sufferer immune. However, it is highly likely that if this condition did in fact prevent Flood infection the [[Forerunner]] would have found it after hundreds of years of research into Flood prevention.

Revision as of 22:10, May 14, 2011

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This article is about the fictional disease. For the Bungie writer, see Brannon Boren.

Boren's Syndrome is a fictitious human disease used as a cover up ONI created to hide the identity of the Spartan-Is.

Public knowledge

Information about this "disease" was spread to the public by the Office of Naval Intelligence following the end of the ORION Project, complete with a list of symptoms. The disease allegedly caused tumors and migraines, and was supposedly caused by exposure to certain types of radiation.

Claims as to the cause of the disease include inhaling the gases released when a Type-51 Carbine magazine is ejected and being exposed to Plasma Grenade radiation, although these causes are either ONI cover-ups or battlefield superstition. In reality, the "disease" was the product of modifications made to ORION project candidates.

Several members of the United Rebel Front claimed to have this condition, hoping to bargain with the UNSC to gain treatment for the condition in trade for some FENRIS Nuclear Warheads they had in stock. However, their status was false, as the bargain was revealed to be a trap set up by Howard Graves in an attempt to capture Spartan-IIs.

Cover-up

Staff Sergeant Avery Johnson's falsified Medical record - to hide his real, classified record - had him as a sufferer of Boren's, in which he was to have contracted the disease on Paris IV, after being in contact with a dangerously high amount of radiation apparently originating from a crate of captured Plasma Grenades.[1]

This false record event (known to ONI as the Paris/BS Spoof) was likely used as a means of avoiding any investigation into his altered DNA and physiology, which would have revealed him as a SPARTAN-I. [2]

Long term effects (falsified)

Untreated or unsuccessfully treated, Boren's can be fatal or debilitating. While some effects, such as migraines, can be managed with medication, the tumors involved in the disease usually, or possibly always, become malignant. Because of this, treating Boren's Syndrome invariably means treating cancer, a process that can be debilitating. The only way to cure Boren's syndrome is an intensive regimen of Chemotherapy lasting for thirty weeks.

According to theory, some combination of the disease's (apparently) multiple pathologies discourages Flood Super Cells. This would explain why Sergeant Avery Johnson could not be infected when he and his squad were ambushed by the Flood on Installation 04, leading Master Chief to his moral dilemma. Dr. Catherine Halsey guesses that there'd be a billion to one chance that Johnson's condition could be reproduced.

Technically, there is no explicit proof that Boren's Syndrome discourages Flood. It may be that the nervous system of someone with the disease simply cannot support Flood. One hypothesis is that an infection form attempting to latch on to a host with Boren's Syndrome would recognize the characteristic neurological disturbances as "irreparable damage," thus rendering the sufferer immune. However, it is highly likely that if this condition did in fact prevent Flood infection the Forerunner would have found it after hundreds of years of research into Flood prevention.

Since it has been confirmed that Boren's Syndrome is simply a cover for the side-effects of the SPARTAN-I augmentations, it is possible that the augmentations keep the Flood from recognizing a potential host because of the disruptive effects of the augmentations. However, this cannot be confirmed or disproved since Johnson was the only SPARTAN-I to come in contact with the Flood.

Trivia

File:51181474-Full.jpg
Half-Infected Johnson glitch, before revival to full infected.
  • Despite Sergeant Johnson's supposed immunity to the Flood, it is possible to see him infected through a glitch that allows him to survive the cutscene. Johnson also comments during the infection "Ain't I supposed to be immune to this?" This was revealed by Bungie as an Easter Egg.
  • Since Johnson is programmed to revive after being killed, stopping an infection midway will result in momentary death, suddenly changing to a marine infection form and getting up.

Sources