Following on from ‘cryo’ and ‘hyper’, bio is another prefix that has become popular since the 1980’s. It’s use is partly entwined with the prefix ‘cyber’, but this will have to be covered in another blog, or this blog will become too big.
Prior to World War II ‘bio’ was only used for a few words e.g. biology, biography. But in the 2009 Collins Ultimate Scrabble Word List there are over two hundred entries beginning with ‘bio’, and that does not include the science fiction words found here.
What Happened to Make Bio so Popular?
After World War II bioengineering, biotechnology and bionics all developed as separate studies. With the unlocking of DNA and the human genome, these sciences have developed rapidly in the last twenty years, not always in directions ordinary people feel comfortable with. Writers have played with the extremes of scientific advancements, but they have not always seen what was happening under their bio-noses.
Bioengineering developed after World War II. As early as the 1920’s scientists worked on improving air conditioning by studying the effects of temperature and humidity on humans. After World War II this field developed into one of its own and bioengineers worked on improving medical procedures, making prosthetics and biomaterials.
Genetic engineering began to develop in the 1970’s with new knowledge about DNA, and the first test tube baby.
Biotechnology was another new science, invented in 1980 when the US Supreme Court decided that live, human made micro-organisms could be patented and sold. Since then courts have allowed human genes to be patented as well. Companies really exist with names like Genex and Genentech, using genes to make medicines and to engineer disease resistant crops and farm animals. Biotech also uses micro-organisms to help industry.
Bionics has developed as a way of combining different sciences to study living systems, looking for ideas to apply to artificial lifeforms and systems. Robots have been developed, although artificial intelligence has not developed far yet.
Scary! A lot of people are frightened of these new sciences, especially when their products have not always been what we expected i.e. safe for human beings and the environment. Science Fiction has locked onto the scary nature of the biological sciences, extrapolating what uses these sciences could be put to in the future.
There seem to be two threads running through the language: the creation of cyborgs and cybernetic machines complete with weapons, and the development of medical, scientific and environmental equipment. Bad cop, good cop.
Words and Phrases using ‘bio’
If we initially exclude the words invented for different kinds of artificially created life forms, there are many new words in science fiction using this prefix. Many of them relate to medical and environmental equipment, sadly some relate to weapons.
Biobed E Cold Station 12 Medical beds equipped with technology giving patient read-outs.
Biocarbon Amalgamated Scanners Malevolent organization rounding up genetically altered people in order to dominate the world. Run By Revok.
Biochemical Residue Earth Final Conflict: Dream Stalker Human imprint left on everything touched, used to identify murderers.
Biochemical Storage The Next Generation: Transfigurations Process of encoding information onto nucleic acid chains, completed by the Zalkonians. Decoded by Wesley and Data providing valuable navigation charts.
Biochip Birds of Prey: Three Birds and a Baby Computer piece, inserted into a human. One found in Guy and one in his mother, with a passkey to Synchron Labs.
Bioconvention of Geneva Doctor Who: Rise of the Cybermen International agreement that new life forms must be ratified by the whole Earth. Cybermen defied the convention and would not have been ratified.
Biocrystal The Osiris Chronicles A living rock which needed to be watered, gave affection and glowed in random colours. Nova asked for one of these as a pet.
Biocryonic Vibrations Doctor Who: The Ark in Space Process which placed Sarah into cryogenic suspension.
Biodiversity Project X-files: F. Emasculata Group employing Dr. Robert Torrence to collect specimens from Guanacaste Rain Forest, Costa Rica. Related to Cancer Man, the disease developed from this project was spread among prisoners in Cumberland State Correctional Facility.
Biodome 1. Earth 2: After The Thaw Name given to the structures in which the group camped during the
winter. Had originally been food growing centres.
2. Doctor Who: The Waters of Mars One section of Base Bowie One where food was grown, but infected with
alien water that mutated Andy when he ate a carrot.
3. Earth Final Conflict: The Fields Building at Norton where Kryss was grown in human beings and harvested
for Taelons. Housed humans and hothouse plants for consumption.
Bio-electric Conducting Gel Space Above and Beyond: Hostile Visit Goo on the Chig fighter into which the
pilot put his arms to connect with the ship.
Bio-electric Dampening Field Doctor Who: Journey’s End Force-field put in place by Doctor-Donna to stop the Reality Bomb.
Bioelectric Feedback Battlestar Galactica 2: A Measure of Salvation Method by which the dying Cylons were made to transmit the virus to the Resurrection ship.
Bio-Electric Signature Sherlock Holmes in the 22nd Century Measurement of the electricity generated by a body.
Bio-Electronic Source Doctor Who: The Keeper of Traken Power source used in the Traken Union to maintain peace and prosperity. It augmented the power of the Keeper of Traken, who could only be a Traken and was the only one who controlled the Source. Resembled a pearl the size of a boulder. Able to calcify any evil which approached it. The Master used Kassia to take control of the Source and then used it to regenerate himself.
Bioenzymatic Food The Next Generation: Liaisons Gift given to Troi by Loquel after she showed him desserts.
Bioequipment Silver Sun Biological equipment, including Harvest Clones. Designed to maintain the welfare of the crew.
Bioetheric Centre Final Fantasy Institute where scientists researched bioetheric energy, looking for a way to use this to destroy the phantoms. [< bio, biological + ether, the medium ancients thought filled the heavens.]
Bioetheric Energy Final Fantasy Power created from single celled organisms, which repulsed the phantoms, used for weapons and shields.
Bioetheric Laser Final Fantasy Weapon used to destroy phantom pathogens within a human body.
Biofilters 1. Deep Space 9: Babel Parts of the transporters designed to remove bacteria and viruses.
2. The Next Generation: Unnatural Selection Parts of the transporters able to remove diseases if they had been previously identified. Unable to remove the aging disease as it was new.
3. The Next Generation: Man of the People Transporter part which proved Sev Maylor had degenerated massively within three days of boarding Enterprise.
Biogenic Weapon Deep Space 9: For The Uniform Nerve agent made from rhodium and selenium, dropped on Veloz Prime by the Maquis who promised to drop it on every Cardassian planet.
Biohazard Zone seaQuest 2032 :Equilibrium Area of the sea declared contaminated. In this case the Sargasso Sea in the South Atlantic Ocean.
BioKentro Zoids Genesis Zoid piloted by Souta, designed on a Kentrosaurus, with a double row of spikes on its back and a scythed tail called a Backlance. Specialized in melee combat.
Biolab Stargate Atlantis: Echoes Section of Atlantis not accessed until McKay needed to know what the Flagisallus were. Used to study planetary animal life, developed communications with the Flagisallus which remained garbled but intelligible if cleaned up.
Bio-link 1. Max Steel Communication device used by Dr Roberto Martinez allowing him to see and hear everything that Max Steel saw and heard.
2. McCaffrey, Sassinak Link used by the Ssli to communicate in addition to the computer interface. This link was much harder for people to monitor, thus considered more secure.
Biological Depository Star Trek Voyager: Phage Laboratory on a rogue planet where Vidiians stored body parts taken from other species. Included a Kazon liver.
Biological Neutraliser Farscape: Die Me, Dichotomy Green light used by the Diagnosan to kill germs while it had its face mask off.
Bioluminescence 1. Farscape: Crackers Don’t Matter Normal light emitted by Moya , hugely amplified by Traltixx for his own purposes.
2. Journey to the Centre of the Earth 2009 Feature of the bird Cyanus Roseopterix found under the Earth.
Bio Magazine Bionic Woman 2007: Sisterhood Reading favoured by Sarah Corvus.
Bio-Magnetic Restraint Sherlock Holmes in the 22nd Century Restraint system used in mental hospitals.
Biomatter resequencer Enterprise: Breaking the Ice Technology converting waste into usable items for use on the Enterprise.
Biomed Scanner Sliders: World Killer Medical tool used by Quinn to identify the population taken into an alternate dimension as opposed to the ones who should have been there.
Biometric Fluctuations Deep Space 9: The Begotten Changes in life-signs, given by the baby Changeling in this case.
Biometric Hologram Enterprise: The Council Xindi technology producing an image of a Guardian.
Biometric Sensor Array Stargate Atlantis: Sanctuary An internal/external sensor version from Ancient Technology. Contained the biometric signatures of everyone on Atlantis, making it able to detect that Chaya was an Ancient.
Biomimetic Gel 1. Deep Space 9: Distant Voices Illegal drug Altovar wanted Bashir to sell him, attacking him when Bashir refused. Illegal to even ask for it.
2. Deep Space 9: In The Pale Moonlight Illegal drug, 85 litres of which were taken from Bashir by Sisko were used to pay for a Cardassian information rod.
Biomolecular Probe Enterprise: Dead Stop Aka bio-scan. Examination of a star-ship by an alien entity. Used by the repair station to alter its atmosphere and language to suit humans.
Biomolecular Replication Deep Space 9: Prophet Motive Work done by Bashir for which he was nominated for the Carrington Award.
Bionet Men in Black Force filed placed around Manhattan to stop aliens entering or leaving.
Bioneural Circuitry Star Trek Voyager: The Caretaker New technology on Voyager consisting of gel packs which held more information than previous technology.
Bioneural Filters Star Trek Voyager: State of Flux Part of the replicators sold to the Kazon, blowing them up and fusing them to metal.
Bionic Translator The Sheriff and the Satellite Kid Device used by H7-25 to learn English.
Biopod Enterprise: Precious Cargo Aka stasis pod. Casket resembling a cryogenic chamber, using stasis to transport an unwilling person.
Biopolymer Stargate Atlantis: The Seed Growth which infected Keller, using her intelligence to find energy to grow. Would have developed into a Wraith ship if Carson hadn’t found a phage to destroy it.
Biopolymerisation X-files: Leonard Betts Modern mummification, used on Leonard Betts to enable study of his head. [< biopolymer, DNA molecules and proteins which can be separated by a process of electrophoresis using a gel, for microscopic study]
Bioport eXistenZ Link implanted into the spine of a person, allowing them to directly interface their mind with a biological game. Experienced the game as if it was reality.
Bioprobe Earth 2: All About Eve Technology injected into every member of the Eden Project except Devon, allowing the computer to track their location. Began to degrade and kill everyone.
Bioprogramming Doctor Who: The Hungry Earth Technology recognised by the Doctor as that used on Jungle Planets. An attack method by the Silurians to stop the drilling, caused the Blue Grass.
Bioreactor Enterprise: Carpenter Street Machine needed to create a virus to destroy humanity.
Biorhythmic Control Lois and Clarke: The Man of Steel Bars Bodily control Clark claimed to possess when the extreme heat in Metropolis didn’t worry him.
Bioroid Care Centre Appleseed Medical facility to provide life extension to bioroids Invaded and partly destroyed by Landmates.
BiOsanitation Battalion The Black Hole Aka Old Bob. Robotic unit on which the STAR robots were based.
Bioscan Enterprise: Fight or Flight Sub-molecular assessment of the life forms of one ship by another.
Biosculpt Weber, Honor Among Enemies Cosmetic surgery [< biological + sculpture]
Biosensor 1. Stargate SG1: Upgrades Piece of Tok’ra technology monitoring all aspects of a person’s physical condition. Resembled a small metal disc placed on the body.[< biological + sensor]
2. Zeta Gundam Psychommu system which Camille Bidan designed into the Zeta Gundam. Combined with Newtype abilities to give the pilot the ability to give the suit orders through impulses, no mental orders being necessary. Made the suits faster and more lethal.
BioShifter Genetic Species A unit capable of controlling living creatures and cyborgs.
Biosign Enterprise: Fortunate Son Evidence of some form of life detected by sensors.
Bioslurry Earth Final Conflict: Time Bomb Taelon material associated with decomposition, found on the outside of Ma’el’s ship.
Biospectral Phase Discriminator Deep Space 9: Hippocratic Oath Technology O’Brien was sent to the runabout to retrieve to assist Bashir’s work on Ketracel white. Knocked out his guard and escaped instead.
Biospectral Scan The Next Generation: Timescape Test run on the Romulan engine to learn if the cellular clusters in it were alive, they were.
Biosphere 1. Starlost Components of the ark, held in clusters. Home to the remnant of humanity searching for a new planet.
2. Silent Running Ships dedicated to food production.
Biotech Sherlock Holmes in the 22nd Century Company owned by Mr. Barclay [< biological + technology]
Biotech Frontiers Dark Angel: Prodigy Magazine Max pretended to represent when she attended the ConGen2 Conference as Rachael Glass.
Biostatic Energy Amplification Darts Super Robot Monkey Hyperforce Team Go! Attack used by Gibson, fired small blasts of electricity. Renamed Spin Shocker by Otto, who complained that the original name was too long.
Biostereometric Facility Buck Rogers in the 35th Century Laboratory for producing holographic photographs.
Biotronics Inc Brain Twisters Company paying Professor Rothman to conduct experiments on his students, investigating the results of exposure to patterns of light and sound stimulation. Killed Rothman when he discovered the results.
Bio Vizier Lexx: Brizon Post held by Brizon under the Divine Order, stated to be the Supreme Bio Vizier. A teaching position in which Brizon taught Mantrid whom he considered uncreative.
Bioweapon 1. Now and Again Type of weapon used to kill people on a train at the time Newman was fatally injured at the railway station.
2. Enterprise: Rajin Form of assault favoured by more extreme species of Xindi to use against humans.
Bioxenic Microton Torchwood: Something Borrowed Instrument Owen could have used to removed the eggs from Gwen, but it was not portable.
Cyborg or Bioroid?
Since the 1970’s there has been a change away from using the words ‘cyborg’ and ‘android’. Both these words usually meant a human being made or enhanced by some artificial process, and since the words are useful they keep being used. Once again the word usage splits into two linked areas: supersoldiers and animalistic fighting machines to be used by humans, modified or not, including space ships. Note that even clones are being re-named in this process.
Bio-Borgs SkySurfer Strike Force 1995 Form of robot. Chronozoid, Dr. Five Eyes, Grenader, Laserette, Noxious, Replicon, Zachariah Easel.
Bioderms Missionforce : Cyberstorm Game 1996 Cloned pilots used in battling the Cybrids.
Biodread Captain Power Series 1987-8 Large, robotic looking living machines developed using synthetic DNA. Had high levels of destructive force, and were self repairing. Only two in existence, Soaron and Blastarr.
Bio-engineered Combat Unit X-Files: Nothing Important Happened Today 1993-2002 Aka First generation super soldier as seen in Knowle Rohrer and Shannon McMahon.
Biological Machines Blake’s 7 : The Web 1971-81 Organic machine, genetically engineered to perform specific tasks.
Biological Metacrisis Doctor Who: Journey’s End 2008 Melding of Donna and the Doctor’s DNA creating a half human clone and giving Donna Timelord memories and intelligence. Unstable for Donna who had her memories of the Doctor wiped to save her.
Bioloid 1. Farscape: A Constellation of Doubt 2000-2004 Robotic impersonation of Aeryn sent to Moya by the Scarrans.
2. Farscape: We’re So Screwed: La Bomba Biomechanical replication used by the Scarrans, in this case Stark.
Biomech Captain Power aka Trooper. Mechanical soldier, with limited intelligence and no sentient thought, under the control of a larger computer. Higher ranks e.g. First, Second and Third Phalanx, had more skills.
Biomechanical weapon Enterprise: The Shipment 2001-4 Xindi rifle analysed by Trip, found to have a self reproducing creature inside. Knocked out by delta radiation as it thrived on omicron radiation.
Biomechanoid Farscape Combination of living matter and technology, usually to create space vessels e.g. Moya. First hypothesized in The Ship Who Sang by A. McCaffrey.
Biomechanoid Virus Farscape: They’ve Got a Secret Original theory as to what was wrong with Moya, causing her to shut down life support. She was actually pregnant.
BioMegaRaptor Zoids Genesis Series 2005 Zoid based on the MegaRaptor using combat data from Major Zairin’s battles to mass produce this model for Digald.
Biomorph Farscape: Beware of Dog Creature with two parts, one hidden inside the other.
Biomorphic Organisational Systems Supervisor Doctor Who: The Green Death 1973 Computer controlling Global Chemicals, gave Stevens his orders, using his brain as a way to expand its understanding of humans. determined to take over the. The Doctor confused it with a paradox and dehypnotised Stevens who then overloaded the system, blowing it up. Voiced by John Rolfe.
Bionic-1 Bionic Six Series 1987 Leader of the Bionic Six, real name Jack Bennett. Most powerful of the team, he possessed extreme strength, super eyesight and hearing. Voiced by John Stephenson.
Bionic Commando Game, 1987. A soldier with a bionic arm is sent to infiltrate an enemy fortress.
Bionicle Game, 2003; Bionicle Heroes Game, 2006; Bionicle : Matoran Adventures Game, 2002; Bionicle : Tales of Tohunga, LEGO Game, 2001; Bionicle: The Mask of Light Film, 2003; Bionicle 2 : Legends of Metru-Nui Film, 2004, Animated; Bionicle 3 : Web of Shadows Film, 2005, Animated; Bionicle Heroes Game, 2006
Bions Fury3 Creatures which were trying to exterminate humanity.
BioPtera Zoids: Genesis Zoid piloted by Captain Felme. Based on a pteranadon, capable of flight. Armed with a plasma gun in its mouth and cannons on its wings.
BioRaptor Zoids: Genesis Standard Zoid soldier used by Digald, armed with teeth, clawed hands and feet and a plasma weapon in its mouth.
Bioreplicant Star Trek: The Next Generation: Rightful Heir 1987-94 Clone, as seen in the copy of Kahless.
Bioroid 1. Appleseed Clone, unable to reproduce, needing life extension sessions to live longer. Lacking strong emotions such as love and hate, help humans remain stable. Half the population, Hitomi was one.
2. Snatcher Life form which killed people in order to take their place in society. Nicknamed Snatchers.
3. Dual! Parallel Trouble Adventure Artificially constructed biological and mechanical being.
Bioscholars Lexx: The Game Scientists who created Kai, gave him knowledge of strategy to help him be a better assassin.
Biosynth Dark Angel :Rising 200-1 Name for the type of human Max was.
Bio-Tech Force Enhancement The Incredible Hulk 2008 Super-soldier serum developed after the war but put on ice. Used by General Ross to turn Blonsky into a super-soldier with enhanced strength and healing ability.
Biotransmuter The Pirates of Dark Water Series 1991-2 Title used by Slagon to describe his practice of swapping parts of animals bodies to create new creatures. He did malicious and unnecessary modifications.
BioTricera Zoids: Genesis Zoid piloted by Georg. Powerful and well armoured, designed to resemble a triceratops. Armed with a plasma gun in its mouth. Its horns extend, attached by wires to impale targets and then return.
Biotron Micronauts Mobile roboid, one of two running the space ship Endeavour II.
BioTyranno Zoids: Genesis Large Zoid based on a T-rex.
Bio Volcano Zoids: Genesis Zoid piloted by Major Zairin who was stressed by its use of personal will. Modified BioMegaRaptor with armour and spines completely immune to metal Zi.
Bio Zoids Zoids: Genesis Zoids used by Digald. They include: BioKentro, BioPtera, BioMegaRaptor, BioRaptor, BioTricera, BioTyranno and BioVolcano.
Game titles
Games nearly all come from the 1990’s and 2000’s, and problematically use artificially created beings as enemies. It looks like the premise of Space Above and Beyond that in vitros would be discriminated against is correct.
Bio Challenge Game, 1989. Player takes the role of K.L.I.P.T, a cyborg built to save humanity when their genetic code begins to degrade. His goal is to survive against biological challenges designed by the scientists to test it.
Bioforge Game, 1995. A group of religious fanatics called Mondites want to take over the galaxy. Player takes role of a prisoner who has been experimented on with cybernetic implants.
Bio F.R.E.A.K.S. Game, 1998. Short form of Biological Flying Robotic Enhanced Armored Killing Synthoids. Player controls a bionically enhanced fighter whose goal is to win a series of one on one fights.
Bio-Hazard Battle Game, 1992. Genesis, Wii. Published by SEGA. The planet Avaron is overrun by biogenetical creatures created by the advanced society living there.
Bio Menace Game, 1993. Published by Apogee. DOS. Earth is invaded by aliens, the player’s goal is to stop them.
Bioshock 1. Game, 2007, Player is guided by Atlas through the underwater city of Rapture. Objective is to shoot genetically altered inhabitants to restore the peace. Plasmids allow a choice of superhuman abilities, reconstitution units allow players to be resurrected. 2. Game, 2008 PS3 Same game
Film and Episode Titles
Most of the film titles using ‘bio’ relate to the Six Million Dollar Man franchise, with few other films using the prefix. Nor are there many episode titles using the prefix ‘bio’ which is a surprise. Note that there is a flush in the late 1970’s, with some use in the 1980’s and 1990’s. There is now renewed use probably due to advances in gene technology.
Biocrine : Starhunter, Season 2, 2001
Biofeedback : The Bionic Woman, Season 2, 1977
Biogenesis, Part 1 : X Files, Season 6, 1999
Biohazard Film, 1984. A psychic makes contact with aliens.
Biohazard: The Alien Force Film, 1994 Aliens lay eggs in human beings.
Biography: The Voltron Force : Voltron 3D, Season 1, 1998
Bionic Beauty : Birds of Prey, Season 1, 1976; The Bionic Woman, Season 1, 1976
Bionic Blunder From Down Under: Gadget Boy’s Adventures in History, 1998
Bionic Dog, The Pt 1 & 2 : The Bionic Woman, Season 3, 1977
Bionic Ever After Telemovie , 1994. The Six Million Dollar Man Steve and Jaime marry, even though Jaime contracts a computer virus.
Bionics On! The First Adventure : Bionic Six, Season 1, 1987
Bionic Showdown Telemovie, 1989 The Six Million Dollar Man Yagher Secret documents are stolen from the World Unity Games in Montreal, by someone with bionic powers. Reunion TV movies: Return of the Six-Million Dollar Man and the Bionic Woman; The Bionic Showdown; Bionic Ever After
Bionic Six Series, Animated, 1987. Jack Bennett and his family are implanted with bionic systems to save their lives.
Bionic Woman, The 1. Series following The Six Million Dollar Man 1976-78, US.
2. Series 2007. After an accident Jaime Somers is turned into a super soldier.
Bioparticle Gun : Episode title, Zoids Genesis, Season 1, 2005
Biot In Red, The : Phantom 2040, Season 1, 1994
Bioyomon Gets Firepower: Digimon : Digital Monsters, Season 1, 1999
Bio Zoid : Zoids Genesis, Season 1, 2005
Bioblog
Following on from ‘cryo’ and ‘hyper’, bio is another prefix that has become popular since the 1980’s. It’s use is partly entwined with the prefix ‘cyber’, but this will have to be covered in another blog, or this blog will become too big.
Prior to World War II ‘bio’ was only used for a few words e.g. biology, biography. But in the 2009 Collins Ultimate Scrabble Word List there are over two hundred entries beginning with ‘bio’, and that does not include the science fiction words found here.
What Happened to Make Bio so Popular?
After World War II bioengineering, biotechnology and bionics all developed as separate studies. With the unlocking of DNA and the human genome, these sciences have developed rapidly in the last twenty years, not always in directions ordinary people feel comfortable with. Writers have played with the extremes of scientific advancements, but they have not always seen what was happening under their bio-noses.
Bioengineering developed after World War II. As early as the 1920’s scientists worked on improving air conditioning by studying the effects of temperature and humidity on humans. After World War II this field developed into one of its own and bioengineers worked on improving medical procedures, making prosthetics and biomaterials.
Genetic engineering began to develop in the 1970’s with new knowledge about DNA, and the first test tube baby.
Biotechnology was another new science, invented in 1980 when the US Supreme Court decided that live, human made micro-organisms could be patented and sold. Since then courts have allowed human genes to be patented as well. Companies really exist with names like Genex and Genentech, using genes to make medicines and to engineer disease resistant crops and farm animals. Biotech also uses micro-organisms to help industry.
Bionics has developed as a way of combining different sciences to study living systems, looking for ideas to apply to artificial lifeforms and systems. Robots have been developed, although artificial intelligence has not developed far yet.
Scary! A lot of people are frightened of these new sciences, especially when their products have not always been what we expected i.e. safe for human beings and the environment. Science Fiction has locked onto the scary nature of the biological sciences, extrapolating what uses these sciences could be put to in the future.
There seem to be two threads running through the language: the creation of cyborgs and cybernetic machines complete with weapons, and the development of medical, scientific and environmental equipment. Bad cop, good cop.
Words and Phrases using ‘bio’
If we initially exclude the words invented for different kinds of artificially created life forms, there are many new words in science fiction using this prefix. Many of them relate to medical and environmental equipment, sadly some relate to weapons.
Biobed E Cold Station 12 Medical beds equipped with technology giving patient read-outs.
Biocarbon Amalgamated Scanners Malevolent organization rounding up genetically altered people in order to dominate the world. Run By Revok.
Biochemical Residue Earth Final Conflict: Dream Stalker Human imprint left on everything touched, used to identify murderers.
Biochemical Storage The Next Generation: Transfigurations Process of encoding information onto nucleic acid chains, completed by the Zalkonians. Decoded by Wesley and Data providing valuable navigation charts.
Biochip Birds of Prey: Three Birds and a Baby Computer piece, inserted into a human. One found in Guy and one in his mother, with a passkey to Synchron Labs.
Bioconvention of Geneva Doctor Who: Rise of the Cybermen International agreement that new life forms must be ratified by the whole Earth. Cybermen defied the convention and would not have been ratified.
Biocrystal The Osiris Chronicles A living rock which needed to be watered, gave affection and glowed in random colours. Nova asked for one of these as a pet.
Biocryonic Vibrations Doctor Who: The Ark in Space Process which placed Sarah into cryogenic suspension.
Biodiversity Project X-files: F. Emasculata Group employing Dr. Robert Torrence to collect specimens from Guanacaste Rain Forest, Costa Rica. Related to Cancer Man, the disease developed from this project was spread among prisoners in Cumberland State Correctional Facility.
Biodome 1. Earth 2: After The Thaw Name given to the structures in which the group camped during the
winter. Had originally been food growing centres.
2. Doctor Who: The Waters of Mars One section of Base Bowie One where food was grown, but infected with
alien water that mutated Andy when he ate a carrot.
3. Earth Final Conflict: The Fields Building at Norton where Kryss was grown in human beings and harvested
for Taelons. Housed humans and hothouse plants for consumption.
Bio-electric Conducting Gel Space Above and Beyond: Hostile Visit Goo on the Chig fighter into which the
pilot put his arms to connect with the ship.
Bio-electric Dampening Field Doctor Who: Journey’s End Force-field put in place by Doctor-Donna to stop the Reality Bomb.
Bioelectric Feedback Battlestar Galactica 2: A Measure of Salvation Method by which the dying Cylons were made to transmit the virus to the Resurrection ship.
Bio-Electric Signature Sherlock Holmes in the 22nd Century Measurement of the electricity generated by a body.
Bio-Electronic Source Doctor Who: The Keeper of Traken Power source used in the Traken Union to maintain peace and prosperity. It augmented the power of the Keeper of Traken, who could only be a Traken and was the only one who controlled the Source. Resembled a pearl the size of a boulder. Able to calcify any evil which approached it. The Master used Kassia to take control of the Source and then used it to regenerate himself.
Bioenzymatic Food The Next Generation: Liaisons Gift given to Troi by Loquel after she showed him desserts.
Bioequipment Silver Sun Biological equipment, including Harvest Clones. Designed to maintain the welfare of the crew.
Bioetheric Centre Final Fantasy Institute where scientists researched bioetheric energy, looking for a way to use this to destroy the phantoms. [< bio, biological + ether, the medium ancients thought filled the heavens.]
Bioetheric Energy Final Fantasy Power created from single celled organisms, which repulsed the phantoms, used for weapons and shields.
Bioetheric Laser Final Fantasy Weapon used to destroy phantom pathogens within a human body.
Biofilters 1. Deep Space 9: Babel Parts of the transporters designed to remove bacteria and viruses.
2. The Next Generation: Unnatural Selection Parts of the transporters able to remove diseases if they had been previously identified. Unable to remove the aging disease as it was new.
3. The Next Generation: Man of the People Transporter part which proved Sev Maylor had degenerated massively within three days of boarding Enterprise.
Biogenic Weapon Deep Space 9: For The Uniform Nerve agent made from rhodium and selenium, dropped on Veloz Prime by the Maquis who promised to drop it on every Cardassian planet.
Biohazard Zone seaQuest 2032 :Equilibrium Area of the sea declared contaminated. In this case the Sargasso Sea in the South Atlantic Ocean.
BioKentro Zoids Genesis Zoid piloted by Souta, designed on a Kentrosaurus, with a double row of spikes on its back and a scythed tail called a Backlance. Specialized in melee combat.
Biolab Stargate Atlantis: Echoes Section of Atlantis not accessed until McKay needed to know what the Flagisallus were. Used to study planetary animal life, developed communications with the Flagisallus which remained garbled but intelligible if cleaned up.
Bio-link 1. Max Steel Communication device used by Dr Roberto Martinez allowing him to see and hear everything that Max Steel saw and heard.
2. McCaffrey, Sassinak Link used by the Ssli to communicate in addition to the computer interface. This link was much harder for people to monitor, thus considered more secure.
Biological Depository Star Trek Voyager: Phage Laboratory on a rogue planet where Vidiians stored body parts taken from other species. Included a Kazon liver.
Biological Neutraliser Farscape: Die Me, Dichotomy Green light used by the Diagnosan to kill germs while it had its face mask off.
Bioluminescence 1. Farscape: Crackers Don’t Matter Normal light emitted by Moya , hugely amplified by Traltixx for his own purposes.
2. Journey to the Centre of the Earth 2009 Feature of the bird Cyanus Roseopterix found under the Earth.
Bio Magazine Bionic Woman 2007: Sisterhood Reading favoured by Sarah Corvus.
Bio-Magnetic Restraint Sherlock Holmes in the 22nd Century Restraint system used in mental hospitals.
Biomatter resequencer Enterprise: Breaking the Ice Technology converting waste into usable items for use on the Enterprise.
Biomed Scanner Sliders: World Killer Medical tool used by Quinn to identify the population taken into an alternate dimension as opposed to the ones who should have been there.
Biometric Fluctuations Deep Space 9: The Begotten Changes in life-signs, given by the baby Changeling in this case.
Biometric Hologram Enterprise: The Council Xindi technology producing an image of a Guardian.
Biometric Sensor Array Stargate Atlantis: Sanctuary An internal/external sensor version from Ancient Technology. Contained the biometric signatures of everyone on Atlantis, making it able to detect that Chaya was an Ancient.
Biomimetic Gel 1. Deep Space 9: Distant Voices Illegal drug Altovar wanted Bashir to sell him, attacking him when Bashir refused. Illegal to even ask for it.
2. Deep Space 9: In The Pale Moonlight Illegal drug, 85 litres of which were taken from Bashir by Sisko were used to pay for a Cardassian information rod.
Biomolecular Probe Enterprise: Dead Stop Aka bio-scan. Examination of a star-ship by an alien entity. Used by the repair station to alter its atmosphere and language to suit humans.
Biomolecular Replication Deep Space 9: Prophet Motive Work done by Bashir for which he was nominated for the Carrington Award.
Bionet Men in Black Force filed placed around Manhattan to stop aliens entering or leaving.
Bioneural Circuitry Star Trek Voyager: The Caretaker New technology on Voyager consisting of gel packs which held more information than previous technology.
Bioneural Filters Star Trek Voyager: State of Flux Part of the replicators sold to the Kazon, blowing them up and fusing them to metal.
Bionic Translator The Sheriff and the Satellite Kid Device used by H7-25 to learn English.
Biopod Enterprise: Precious Cargo Aka stasis pod. Casket resembling a cryogenic chamber, using stasis to transport an unwilling person.
Biopolymer Stargate Atlantis: The Seed Growth which infected Keller, using her intelligence to find energy to grow. Would have developed into a Wraith ship if Carson hadn’t found a phage to destroy it.
Biopolymerisation X-files: Leonard Betts Modern mummification, used on Leonard Betts to enable study of his head. [< biopolymer, DNA molecules and proteins which can be separated by a process of electrophoresis using a gel, for microscopic study]
Bioport eXistenZ Link implanted into the spine of a person, allowing them to directly interface their mind with a biological game. Experienced the game as if it was reality.
Bioprobe Earth 2: All About Eve Technology injected into every member of the Eden Project except Devon, allowing the computer to track their location. Began to degrade and kill everyone.
Bioprogramming Doctor Who: The Hungry Earth Technology recognised by the Doctor as that used on Jungle Planets. An attack method by the Silurians to stop the drilling, caused the Blue Grass.
Bioreactor Enterprise: Carpenter Street Machine needed to create a virus to destroy humanity.
Biorhythmic Control Lois and Clarke: The Man of Steel Bars Bodily control Clark claimed to possess when the extreme heat in Metropolis didn’t worry him.
Bioroid Care Centre Appleseed Medical facility to provide life extension to bioroids Invaded and partly destroyed by Landmates.
BiOsanitation Battalion The Black Hole Aka Old Bob. Robotic unit on which the STAR robots were based.
Bioscan Enterprise: Fight or Flight Sub-molecular assessment of the life forms of one ship by another.
Biosculpt Weber, Honor Among Enemies Cosmetic surgery [< biological + sculpture]
Biosensor 1. Stargate SG1: Upgrades Piece of Tok’ra technology monitoring all aspects of a person’s physical condition. Resembled a small metal disc placed on the body.[< biological + sensor]
2. Zeta Gundam Psychommu system which Camille Bidan designed into the Zeta Gundam. Combined with Newtype abilities to give the pilot the ability to give the suit orders through impulses, no mental orders being necessary. Made the suits faster and more lethal.
BioShifter Genetic Species A unit capable of controlling living creatures and cyborgs.
Biosign Enterprise: Fortunate Son Evidence of some form of life detected by sensors.
Bioslurry Earth Final Conflict: Time Bomb Taelon material associated with decomposition, found on the outside of Ma’el’s ship.
Biospectral Phase Discriminator Deep Space 9: Hippocratic Oath Technology O’Brien was sent to the runabout to retrieve to assist Bashir’s work on Ketracel white. Knocked out his guard and escaped instead.
Biospectral Scan The Next Generation: Timescape Test run on the Romulan engine to learn if the cellular clusters in it were alive, they were.
Biosphere 1. Starlost Components of the ark, held in clusters. Home to the remnant of humanity searching for a new planet.
2. Silent Running Ships dedicated to food production.
Biotech Sherlock Holmes in the 22nd Century Company owned by Mr. Barclay [< biological + technology]
Biotech Frontiers Dark Angel: Prodigy Magazine Max pretended to represent when she attended the ConGen2 Conference as Rachael Glass.
Biostatic Energy Amplification Darts Super Robot Monkey Hyperforce Team Go! Attack used by Gibson, fired small blasts of electricity. Renamed Spin Shocker by Otto, who complained that the original name was too long.
Biostereometric Facility Buck Rogers in the 35th Century Laboratory for producing holographic photographs.
Biotronics Inc Brain Twisters Company paying Professor Rothman to conduct experiments on his students, investigating the results of exposure to patterns of light and sound stimulation. Killed Rothman when he discovered the results.
Bio Vizier Lexx: Brizon Post held by Brizon under the Divine Order, stated to be the Supreme Bio Vizier. A teaching position in which Brizon taught Mantrid whom he considered uncreative.
Bioweapon 1. Now and Again Type of weapon used to kill people on a train at the time Newman was fatally injured at the railway station.
2. Enterprise: Rajin Form of assault favoured by more extreme species of Xindi to use against humans.
Bioxenic Microton Torchwood: Something Borrowed Instrument Owen could have used to removed the eggs from Gwen, but it was not portable.
Cyborg or Bioroid?
Since the 1970’s there has been a change away from using the words ‘cyborg’ and ‘android’. Both these words usually meant a human being made or enhanced by some artificial process, and since the words are useful they keep being used. Once again the word usage splits into two linked areas: supersoldiers and animalistic fighting machines to be used by humans, modified or not, including space ships. Note that even clones are being re-named in this process.
Bio-Borgs SkySurfer Strike Force 1995 Form of robot. Chronozoid, Dr. Five Eyes, Grenader, Laserette, Noxious, Replicon, Zachariah Easel.
Bioderms Missionforce : Cyberstorm Game 1996 Cloned pilots used in battling the Cybrids.
Biodread Captain Power Series 1987-8 Large, robotic looking living machines developed using synthetic DNA. Had high levels of destructive force, and were self repairing. Only two in existence, Soaron and Blastarr.
Bio-engineered Combat Unit X-Files: Nothing Important Happened Today 1993-2002 Aka First generation super soldier as seen in Knowle Rohrer and Shannon McMahon.
Biological Machines Blake’s 7 : The Web 1971-81 Organic machine, genetically engineered to perform specific tasks.
Biological Metacrisis Doctor Who: Journey’s End 2008 Melding of Donna and the Doctor’s DNA creating a half human clone and giving Donna Timelord memories and intelligence. Unstable for Donna who had her memories of the Doctor wiped to save her.
Bioloid 1. Farscape: A Constellation of Doubt 2000-2004 Robotic impersonation of Aeryn sent to Moya by the Scarrans.
2. Farscape: We’re So Screwed: La Bomba Biomechanical replication used by the Scarrans, in this case Stark.
Biomech Captain Power aka Trooper. Mechanical soldier, with limited intelligence and no sentient thought, under the control of a larger computer. Higher ranks e.g. First, Second and Third Phalanx, had more skills.
Biomechanical weapon Enterprise: The Shipment 2001-4 Xindi rifle analysed by Trip, found to have a self reproducing creature inside. Knocked out by delta radiation as it thrived on omicron radiation.
Biomechanoid Farscape Combination of living matter and technology, usually to create space vessels e.g. Moya. First hypothesized in The Ship Who Sang by A. McCaffrey.
Biomechanoid Virus Farscape: They’ve Got a Secret Original theory as to what was wrong with Moya, causing her to shut down life support. She was actually pregnant.
BioMegaRaptor Zoids Genesis Series 2005 Zoid based on the MegaRaptor using combat data from Major Zairin’s battles to mass produce this model for Digald.
Biomorph Farscape: Beware of Dog Creature with two parts, one hidden inside the other.
Biomorphic Organisational Systems Supervisor Doctor Who: The Green Death 1973 Computer controlling Global Chemicals, gave Stevens his orders, using his brain as a way to expand its understanding of humans. determined to take over the. The Doctor confused it with a paradox and dehypnotised Stevens who then overloaded the system, blowing it up. Voiced by John Rolfe.
Bionic-1 Bionic Six Series 1987 Leader of the Bionic Six, real name Jack Bennett. Most powerful of the team, he possessed extreme strength, super eyesight and hearing. Voiced by John Stephenson.
Bionic Commando Game, 1987. A soldier with a bionic arm is sent to infiltrate an enemy fortress.
Bionicle Game, 2003; Bionicle Heroes Game, 2006; Bionicle : Matoran Adventures Game, 2002; Bionicle : Tales of Tohunga, LEGO Game, 2001; Bionicle: The Mask of Light Film, 2003; Bionicle 2 : Legends of Metru-Nui Film, 2004, Animated; Bionicle 3 : Web of Shadows Film, 2005, Animated; Bionicle Heroes Game, 2006
Bions Fury3 Creatures which were trying to exterminate humanity.
BioPtera Zoids: Genesis Zoid piloted by Captain Felme. Based on a pteranadon, capable of flight. Armed with a plasma gun in its mouth and cannons on its wings.
BioRaptor Zoids: Genesis Standard Zoid soldier used by Digald, armed with teeth, clawed hands and feet and a plasma weapon in its mouth.
Bioreplicant Star Trek: The Next Generation: Rightful Heir 1987-94 Clone, as seen in the copy of Kahless.
Bioroid 1. Appleseed Clone, unable to reproduce, needing life extension sessions to live longer. Lacking strong emotions such as love and hate, help humans remain stable. Half the population, Hitomi was one.
2. Snatcher Life form which killed people in order to take their place in society. Nicknamed Snatchers.
3. Dual! Parallel Trouble Adventure Artificially constructed biological and mechanical being.
Bioscholars Lexx: The Game Scientists who created Kai, gave him knowledge of strategy to help him be a better assassin.
Biosynth Dark Angel :Rising 200-1 Name for the type of human Max was.
Bio-Tech Force Enhancement The Incredible Hulk 2008 Super-soldier serum developed after the war but put on ice. Used by General Ross to turn Blonsky into a super-soldier with enhanced strength and healing ability.
Biotransmuter The Pirates of Dark Water Series 1991-2 Title used by Slagon to describe his practice of swapping parts of animals bodies to create new creatures. He did malicious and unnecessary modifications.
BioTricera Zoids: Genesis Zoid piloted by Georg. Powerful and well armoured, designed to resemble a triceratops. Armed with a plasma gun in its mouth. Its horns extend, attached by wires to impale targets and then return.
Biotron Micronauts Mobile roboid, one of two running the space ship Endeavour II.
BioTyranno Zoids: Genesis Large Zoid based on a T-rex.
Bio Volcano Zoids: Genesis Zoid piloted by Major Zairin who was stressed by its use of personal will. Modified BioMegaRaptor with armour and spines completely immune to metal Zi.
Bio Zoids Zoids: Genesis Zoids used by Digald. They include: BioKentro, BioPtera, BioMegaRaptor, BioRaptor, BioTricera, BioTyranno and BioVolcano.
Game titles
Games nearly all come from the 1990’s and 2000’s, and problematically use artificially created beings as enemies. It looks like the premise of Space Above and Beyond that in vitros would be discriminated against is correct.
Bio Challenge Game, 1989. Player takes the role of K.L.I.P.T, a cyborg built to save humanity when their genetic code begins to degrade. His goal is to survive against biological challenges designed by the scientists to test it.
Bioforge Game, 1995. A group of religious fanatics called Mondites want to take over the galaxy. Player takes role of a prisoner who has been experimented on with cybernetic implants.
Bio F.R.E.A.K.S. Game, 1998. Short form of Biological Flying Robotic Enhanced Armored Killing Synthoids. Player controls a bionically enhanced fighter whose goal is to win a series of one on one fights.
Bio-Hazard Battle Game, 1992. Genesis, Wii. Published by SEGA. The planet Avaron is overrun by biogenetical creatures created by the advanced society living there.
Bio Menace Game, 1993. Published by Apogee. DOS. Earth is invaded by aliens, the player’s goal is to stop them.
Bioshock 1. Game, 2007, Player is guided by Atlas through the underwater city of Rapture. Objective is to shoot genetically altered inhabitants to restore the peace. Plasmids allow a choice of superhuman abilities, reconstitution units allow players to be resurrected. 2. Game, 2008 PS3 Same game
Film and Episode Titles
Most of the film titles using ‘bio’ relate to the Six Million Dollar Man franchise, with few other films using the prefix. Nor are there many episode titles using the prefix ‘bio’ which is a surprise. Note that there is a flush in the late 1970’s, with some use in the 1980’s and 1990’s. There is now renewed use probably due to advances in gene technology.
Biocrine : Starhunter, Season 2, 2001
Biofeedback : The Bionic Woman, Season 2, 1977
Biogenesis, Part 1 : X Files, Season 6, 1999
Biohazard Film, 1984. A psychic makes contact with aliens.
Biohazard: The Alien Force Film, 1994 Aliens lay eggs in human beings.
Biography: The Voltron Force : Voltron 3D, Season 1, 1998
Bionic Beauty : Birds of Prey, Season 1, 1976; The Bionic Woman, Season 1, 1976
Bionic Blunder From Down Under: Gadget Boy’s Adventures in History, 1998
Bionic Dog, The Pt 1 & 2 : The Bionic Woman, Season 3, 1977
Bionic Ever After Telemovie , 1994. The Six Million Dollar Man Steve and Jaime marry, even though Jaime contracts a computer virus.
Bionics On! The First Adventure : Bionic Six, Season 1, 1987
Bionic Showdown Telemovie, 1989 The Six Million Dollar Man Yagher Secret documents are stolen from the World Unity Games in Montreal, by someone with bionic powers. Reunion TV movies: Return of the Six-Million Dollar Man and the Bionic Woman; The Bionic Showdown; Bionic Ever After
Bionic Six Series, Animated, 1987. Jack Bennett and his family are implanted with bionic systems to save their lives.
Bionic Woman, The 1. Series following The Six Million Dollar Man 1976-78, US.
2. Series 2007. After an accident Jaime Somers is turned into a super soldier.
Bioparticle Gun : Episode title, Zoids Genesis, Season 1, 2005
Biot In Red, The : Phantom 2040, Season 1, 1994
Bioyomon Gets Firepower: Digimon : Digital Monsters, Season 1, 1999
Bio Zoid : Zoids Genesis, Season 1, 2005
Bioblog
Following on from ‘cryo’ and ‘hyper’, bio is another prefix that has become popular since the 1980’s. It’s use is partly entwined with the prefix ‘cyber’, but this will have to be covered in another blog, or this blog will become too big.
Prior to World War II ‘bio’ was only used for a few words e.g. biology, biography. But in the 2009 Collins Ultimate Scrabble Word List there are over two hundred entries beginning with ‘bio’, and that does not include the science fiction words found here.
What Happened to Make Bio so Popular?
After World War II bioengineering, biotechnology and bionics all developed as separate studies. With the unlocking of DNA and the human genome, these sciences have developed rapidly in the last twenty years, not always in directions ordinary people feel comfortable with. Writers have played with the extremes of scientific advancements, but they have not always seen what was happening under their bio-noses.
Bioengineering developed after World War II. As early as the 1920’s scientists worked on improving air conditioning by studying the effects of temperature and humidity on humans. After World War II this field developed into one of its own and bioengineers worked on improving medical procedures, making prosthetics and biomaterials.
Genetic engineering began to develop in the 1970’s with new knowledge about DNA, and the first test tube baby.
Biotechnology was another new science, invented in 1980 when the US Supreme Court decided that live, human made micro-organisms could be patented and sold. Since then courts have allowed human genes to be patented as well. Companies really exist with names like Genex and Genentech, using genes to make medicines and to engineer disease resistant crops and farm animals. Biotech also uses micro-organisms to help industry.
Bionics has developed as a way of combining different sciences to study living systems, looking for ideas to apply to artificial lifeforms and systems. Robots have been developed, although artificial intelligence has not developed far yet.
Scary! A lot of people are frightened of these new sciences, especially when their products have not always been what we expected i.e. safe for human beings and the environment. Science Fiction has locked onto the scary nature of the biological sciences, extrapolating what uses these sciences could be put to in the future.
There seem to be two threads running through the language: the creation of cyborgs and cybernetic machines complete with weapons, and the development of medical, scientific and environmental equipment. Bad cop, good cop.
Words and Phrases using ‘bio’
If we initially exclude the words invented for different kinds of artificially created life forms, there are many new words in science fiction using this prefix. Many of them relate to medical and environmental equipment, sadly some relate to weapons.
Biobed E Cold Station 12 Medical beds equipped with technology giving patient read-outs.
Biocarbon Amalgamated Scanners Malevolent organization rounding up genetically altered people in order to dominate the world. Run By Revok.
Biochemical Residue Earth Final Conflict: Dream Stalker Human imprint left on everything touched, used to identify murderers.
Biochemical Storage The Next Generation: Transfigurations Process of encoding information onto nucleic acid chains, completed by the Zalkonians. Decoded by Wesley and Data providing valuable navigation charts.
Biochip Birds of Prey: Three Birds and a Baby Computer piece, inserted into a human. One found in Guy and one in his mother, with a passkey to Synchron Labs.
Bioconvention of Geneva Doctor Who: Rise of the Cybermen International agreement that new life forms must be ratified by the whole Earth. Cybermen defied the convention and would not have been ratified.
Biocrystal The Osiris Chronicles A living rock which needed to be watered, gave affection and glowed in random colours. Nova asked for one of these as a pet.
Biocryonic Vibrations Doctor Who: The Ark in Space Process which placed Sarah into cryogenic suspension.
Biodiversity Project X-files: F. Emasculata Group employing Dr. Robert Torrence to collect specimens from Guanacaste Rain Forest, Costa Rica. Related to Cancer Man, the disease developed from this project was spread among prisoners in Cumberland State Correctional Facility.
Biodome 1. Earth 2: After The Thaw Name given to the structures in which the group camped during the
winter. Had originally been food growing centres.
2. Doctor Who: The Waters of Mars One section of Base Bowie One where food was grown, but infected with
alien water that mutated Andy when he ate a carrot.
3. Earth Final Conflict: The Fields Building at Norton where Kryss was grown in human beings and harvested
for Taelons. Housed humans and hothouse plants for consumption.
Bio-electric Conducting Gel Space Above and Beyond: Hostile Visit Goo on the Chig fighter into which the
pilot put his arms to connect with the ship.
Bio-electric Dampening Field Doctor Who: Journey’s End Force-field put in place by Doctor-Donna to stop the Reality Bomb.
Bioelectric Feedback Battlestar Galactica 2: A Measure of Salvation Method by which the dying Cylons were made to transmit the virus to the Resurrection ship.
Bio-Electric Signature Sherlock Holmes in the 22nd Century Measurement of the electricity generated by a body.
Bio-Electronic Source Doctor Who: The Keeper of Traken Power source used in the Traken Union to maintain peace and prosperity. It augmented the power of the Keeper of Traken, who could only be a Traken and was the only one who controlled the Source. Resembled a pearl the size of a boulder. Able to calcify any evil which approached it. The Master used Kassia to take control of the Source and then used it to regenerate himself.
Bioenzymatic Food The Next Generation: Liaisons Gift given to Troi by Loquel after she showed him desserts.
Bioequipment Silver Sun Biological equipment, including Harvest Clones. Designed to maintain the welfare of the crew.
Bioetheric Centre Final Fantasy Institute where scientists researched bioetheric energy, looking for a way to use this to destroy the phantoms. [< bio, biological + ether, the medium ancients thought filled the heavens.]
Bioetheric Energy Final Fantasy Power created from single celled organisms, which repulsed the phantoms, used for weapons and shields.
Bioetheric Laser Final Fantasy Weapon used to destroy phantom pathogens within a human body.
Biofilters 1. Deep Space 9: Babel Parts of the transporters designed to remove bacteria and viruses.
2. The Next Generation: Unnatural Selection Parts of the transporters able to remove diseases if they had been previously identified. Unable to remove the aging disease as it was new.
3. The Next Generation: Man of the People Transporter part which proved Sev Maylor had degenerated massively within three days of boarding Enterprise.
Biogenic Weapon Deep Space 9: For The Uniform Nerve agent made from rhodium and selenium, dropped on Veloz Prime by the Maquis who promised to drop it on every Cardassian planet.
Biohazard Zone seaQuest 2032 :Equilibrium Area of the sea declared contaminated. In this case the Sargasso Sea in the South Atlantic Ocean.
BioKentro Zoids Genesis Zoid piloted by Souta, designed on a Kentrosaurus, with a double row of spikes on its back and a scythed tail called a Backlance. Specialized in melee combat.
Biolab Stargate Atlantis: Echoes Section of Atlantis not accessed until McKay needed to know what the Flagisallus were. Used to study planetary animal life, developed communications with the Flagisallus which remained garbled but intelligible if cleaned up.
Bio-link 1. Max Steel Communication device used by Dr Roberto Martinez allowing him to see and hear everything that Max Steel saw and heard.
2. McCaffrey, Sassinak Link used by the Ssli to communicate in addition to the computer interface. This link was much harder for people to monitor, thus considered more secure.
Biological Depository Star Trek Voyager: Phage Laboratory on a rogue planet where Vidiians stored body parts taken from other species. Included a Kazon liver.
Biological Neutraliser Farscape: Die Me, Dichotomy Green light used by the Diagnosan to kill germs while it had its face mask off.
Bioluminescence 1. Farscape: Crackers Don’t Matter Normal light emitted by Moya , hugely amplified by Traltixx for his own purposes.
2. Journey to the Centre of the Earth 2009 Feature of the bird Cyanus Roseopterix found under the Earth.
Bio Magazine Bionic Woman 2007: Sisterhood Reading favoured by Sarah Corvus.
Bio-Magnetic Restraint Sherlock Holmes in the 22nd Century Restraint system used in mental hospitals.
Biomatter resequencer Enterprise: Breaking the Ice Technology converting waste into usable items for use on the Enterprise.
Biomed Scanner Sliders: World Killer Medical tool used by Quinn to identify the population taken into an alternate dimension as opposed to the ones who should have been there.
Biometric Fluctuations Deep Space 9: The Begotten Changes in life-signs, given by the baby Changeling in this case.
Biometric Hologram Enterprise: The Council Xindi technology producing an image of a Guardian.
Biometric Sensor Array Stargate Atlantis: Sanctuary An internal/external sensor version from Ancient Technology. Contained the biometric signatures of everyone on Atlantis, making it able to detect that Chaya was an Ancient.
Biomimetic Gel 1. Deep Space 9: Distant Voices Illegal drug Altovar wanted Bashir to sell him, attacking him when Bashir refused. Illegal to even ask for it.
2. Deep Space 9: In The Pale Moonlight Illegal drug, 85 litres of which were taken from Bashir by Sisko were used to pay for a Cardassian information rod.
Biomolecular Probe Enterprise: Dead Stop Aka bio-scan. Examination of a star-ship by an alien entity. Used by the repair station to alter its atmosphere and language to suit humans.
Biomolecular Replication Deep Space 9: Prophet Motive Work done by Bashir for which he was nominated for the Carrington Award.
Bionet Men in Black Force filed placed around Manhattan to stop aliens entering or leaving.
Bioneural Circuitry Star Trek Voyager: The Caretaker New technology on Voyager consisting of gel packs which held more information than previous technology.
Bioneural Filters Star Trek Voyager: State of Flux Part of the replicators sold to the Kazon, blowing them up and fusing them to metal.
Bionic Translator The Sheriff and the Satellite Kid Device used by H7-25 to learn English.
Biopod Enterprise: Precious Cargo Aka stasis pod. Casket resembling a cryogenic chamber, using stasis to transport an unwilling person.
Biopolymer Stargate Atlantis: The Seed Growth which infected Keller, using her intelligence to find energy to grow. Would have developed into a Wraith ship if Carson hadn’t found a phage to destroy it.
Biopolymerisation X-files: Leonard Betts Modern mummification, used on Leonard Betts to enable study of his head. [< biopolymer, DNA molecules and proteins which can be separated by a process of electrophoresis using a gel, for microscopic study]
Bioport eXistenZ Link implanted into the spine of a person, allowing them to directly interface their mind with a biological game. Experienced the game as if it was reality.
Bioprobe Earth 2: All About Eve Technology injected into every member of the Eden Project except Devon, allowing the computer to track their location. Began to degrade and kill everyone.
Bioprogramming Doctor Who: The Hungry Earth Technology recognised by the Doctor as that used on Jungle Planets. An attack method by the Silurians to stop the drilling, caused the Blue Grass.
Bioreactor Enterprise: Carpenter Street Machine needed to create a virus to destroy humanity.
Biorhythmic Control Lois and Clarke: The Man of Steel Bars Bodily control Clark claimed to possess when the extreme heat in Metropolis didn’t worry him.
Bioroid Care Centre Appleseed Medical facility to provide life extension to bioroids Invaded and partly destroyed by Landmates.
BiOsanitation Battalion The Black Hole Aka Old Bob. Robotic unit on which the STAR robots were based.
Bioscan Enterprise: Fight or Flight Sub-molecular assessment of the life forms of one ship by another.
Biosculpt Weber, Honor Among Enemies Cosmetic surgery [< biological + sculpture]
Biosensor 1. Stargate SG1: Upgrades Piece of Tok’ra technology monitoring all aspects of a person’s physical condition. Resembled a small metal disc placed on the body.[< biological + sensor]
2. Zeta Gundam Psychommu system which Camille Bidan designed into the Zeta Gundam. Combined with Newtype abilities to give the pilot the ability to give the suit orders through impulses, no mental orders being necessary. Made the suits faster and more lethal.
BioShifter Genetic Species A unit capable of controlling living creatures and cyborgs.
Biosign Enterprise: Fortunate Son Evidence of some form of life detected by sensors.
Bioslurry Earth Final Conflict: Time Bomb Taelon material associated with decomposition, found on the outside of Ma’el’s ship.
Biospectral Phase Discriminator Deep Space 9: Hippocratic Oath Technology O’Brien was sent to the runabout to retrieve to assist Bashir’s work on Ketracel white. Knocked out his guard and escaped instead.
Biospectral Scan The Next Generation: Timescape Test run on the Romulan engine to learn if the cellular clusters in it were alive, they were.
Biosphere 1. Starlost Components of the ark, held in clusters. Home to the remnant of humanity searching for a new planet.
2. Silent Running Ships dedicated to food production.
Biotech Sherlock Holmes in the 22nd Century Company owned by Mr. Barclay [< biological + technology]
Biotech Frontiers Dark Angel: Prodigy Magazine Max pretended to represent when she attended the ConGen2 Conference as Rachael Glass.
Biostatic Energy Amplification Darts Super Robot Monkey Hyperforce Team Go! Attack used by Gibson, fired small blasts of electricity. Renamed Spin Shocker by Otto, who complained that the original name was too long.
Biostereometric Facility Buck Rogers in the 35th Century Laboratory for producing holographic photographs.
Biotronics Inc Brain Twisters Company paying Professor Rothman to conduct experiments on his students, investigating the results of exposure to patterns of light and sound stimulation. Killed Rothman when he discovered the results.
Bio Vizier Lexx: Brizon Post held by Brizon under the Divine Order, stated to be the Supreme Bio Vizier. A teaching position in which Brizon taught Mantrid whom he considered uncreative.
Bioweapon 1. Now and Again Type of weapon used to kill people on a train at the time Newman was fatally injured at the railway station.
2. Enterprise: Rajin Form of assault favoured by more extreme species of Xindi to use against humans.
Bioxenic Microton Torchwood: Something Borrowed Instrument Owen could have used to removed the eggs from Gwen, but it was not portable.
Cyborg or Bioroid?
Since the 1970’s there has been a change away from using the words ‘cyborg’ and ‘android’. Both these words usually meant a human being made or enhanced by some artificial process, and since the words are useful they keep being used. Once again the word usage splits into two linked areas: supersoldiers and animalistic fighting machines to be used by humans, modified or not, including space ships. Note that even clones are being re-named in this process.
Bio-Borgs SkySurfer Strike Force 1995 Form of robot. Chronozoid, Dr. Five Eyes, Grenader, Laserette, Noxious, Replicon, Zachariah Easel.
Bioderms Missionforce : Cyberstorm Game 1996 Cloned pilots used in battling the Cybrids.
Biodread Captain Power Series 1987-8 Large, robotic looking living machines developed using synthetic DNA. Had high levels of destructive force, and were self repairing. Only two in existence, Soaron and Blastarr.
Bio-engineered Combat Unit X-Files: Nothing Important Happened Today 1993-2002 Aka First generation super soldier as seen in Knowle Rohrer and Shannon McMahon.
Biological Machines Blake’s 7 : The Web 1971-81 Organic machine, genetically engineered to perform specific tasks.
Biological Metacrisis Doctor Who: Journey’s End 2008 Melding of Donna and the Doctor’s DNA creating a half human clone and giving Donna Timelord memories and intelligence. Unstable for Donna who had her memories of the Doctor wiped to save her.
Bioloid 1. Farscape: A Constellation of Doubt 2000-2004 Robotic impersonation of Aeryn sent to Moya by the Scarrans.
2. Farscape: We’re So Screwed: La Bomba Biomechanical replication used by the Scarrans, in this case Stark.
Biomech Captain Power aka Trooper. Mechanical soldier, with limited intelligence and no sentient thought, under the control of a larger computer. Higher ranks e.g. First, Second and Third Phalanx, had more skills.
Biomechanical weapon Enterprise: The Shipment 2001-4 Xindi rifle analysed by Trip, found to have a self reproducing creature inside. Knocked out by delta radiation as it thrived on omicron radiation.
Biomechanoid Farscape Combination of living matter and technology, usually to create space vessels e.g. Moya. First hypothesized in The Ship Who Sang by A. McCaffrey.
Biomechanoid Virus Farscape: They’ve Got a Secret Original theory as to what was wrong with Moya, causing her to shut down life support. She was actually pregnant.
BioMegaRaptor Zoids Genesis Series 2005 Zoid based on the MegaRaptor using combat data from Major Zairin’s battles to mass produce this model for Digald.
Biomorph Farscape: Beware of Dog Creature with two parts, one hidden inside the other.
Biomorphic Organisational Systems Supervisor Doctor Who: The Green Death 1973 Computer controlling Global Chemicals, gave Stevens his orders, using his brain as a way to expand its understanding of humans. determined to take over the. The Doctor confused it with a paradox and dehypnotised Stevens who then overloaded the system, blowing it up. Voiced by John Rolfe.
Bionic-1 Bionic Six Series 1987 Leader of the Bionic Six, real name Jack Bennett. Most powerful of the team, he possessed extreme strength, super eyesight and hearing. Voiced by John Stephenson.
Bionic Commando Game, 1987. A soldier with a bionic arm is sent to infiltrate an enemy fortress.
Bionicle Game, 2003; Bionicle Heroes Game, 2006; Bionicle : Matoran Adventures Game, 2002; Bionicle : Tales of Tohunga, LEGO Game, 2001; Bionicle: The Mask of Light Film, 2003; Bionicle 2 : Legends of Metru-Nui Film, 2004, Animated; Bionicle 3 : Web of Shadows Film, 2005, Animated; Bionicle Heroes Game, 2006
Bions Fury3 Creatures which were trying to exterminate humanity.
BioPtera Zoids: Genesis Zoid piloted by Captain Felme. Based on a pteranadon, capable of flight. Armed with a plasma gun in its mouth and cannons on its wings.
BioRaptor Zoids: Genesis Standard Zoid soldier used by Digald, armed with teeth, clawed hands and feet and a plasma weapon in its mouth.
Bioreplicant Star Trek: The Next Generation: Rightful Heir 1987-94 Clone, as seen in the copy of Kahless.
Bioroid 1. Appleseed Clone, unable to reproduce, needing life extension sessions to live longer. Lacking strong emotions such as love and hate, help humans remain stable. Half the population, Hitomi was one.
2. Snatcher Life form which killed people in order to take their place in society. Nicknamed Snatchers.
3. Dual! Parallel Trouble Adventure Artificially constructed biological and mechanical being.
Bioscholars Lexx: The Game Scientists who created Kai, gave him knowledge of strategy to help him be a better assassin.
Biosynth Dark Angel :Rising 200-1 Name for the type of human Max was.
Bio-Tech Force Enhancement The Incredible Hulk 2008 Super-soldier serum developed after the war but put on ice. Used by General Ross to turn Blonsky into a super-soldier with enhanced strength and healing ability.
Biotransmuter The Pirates of Dark Water Series 1991-2 Title used by Slagon to describe his practice of swapping parts of animals bodies to create new creatures. He did malicious and unnecessary modifications.
BioTricera Zoids: Genesis Zoid piloted by Georg. Powerful and well armoured, designed to resemble a triceratops. Armed with a plasma gun in its mouth. Its horns extend, attached by wires to impale targets and then return.
Biotron Micronauts Mobile roboid, one of two running the space ship Endeavour II.
BioTyranno Zoids: Genesis Large Zoid based on a T-rex.
Bio Volcano Zoids: Genesis Zoid piloted by Major Zairin who was stressed by its use of personal will. Modified BioMegaRaptor with armour and spines completely immune to metal Zi.
Bio Zoids Zoids: Genesis Zoids used by Digald. They include: BioKentro, BioPtera, BioMegaRaptor, BioRaptor, BioTricera, BioTyranno and BioVolcano.
Game titles
Games nearly all come from the 1990’s and 2000’s, and problematically use artificially created beings as enemies. It looks like the premise of Space Above and Beyond that in vitros would be discriminated against is correct.
Bio Challenge Game, 1989. Player takes the role of K.L.I.P.T, a cyborg built to save humanity when their genetic code begins to degrade. His goal is to survive against biological challenges designed by the scientists to test it.
Bioforge Game, 1995. A group of religious fanatics called Mondites want to take over the galaxy. Player takes role of a prisoner who has been experimented on with cybernetic implants.
Bio F.R.E.A.K.S. Game, 1998. Short form of Biological Flying Robotic Enhanced Armored Killing Synthoids. Player controls a bionically enhanced fighter whose goal is to win a series of one on one fights.
Bio-Hazard Battle Game, 1992. Genesis, Wii. Published by SEGA. The planet Avaron is overrun by biogenetical creatures created by the advanced society living there.
Bio Menace Game, 1993. Published by Apogee. DOS. Earth is invaded by aliens, the player’s goal is to stop them.
Bioshock 1. Game, 2007, Player is guided by Atlas through the underwater city of Rapture. Objective is to shoot genetically altered inhabitants to restore the peace. Plasmids allow a choice of superhuman abilities, reconstitution units allow players to be resurrected. 2. Game, 2008 PS3 Same game
Film and Episode Titles
Most of the film titles using ‘bio’ relate to the Six Million Dollar Man franchise, with few other films using the prefix. Nor are there many episode titles using the prefix ‘bio’ which is a surprise. Note that there is a flush in the late 1970’s, with some use in the 1980’s and 1990’s. There is now renewed use probably due to advances in gene technology.
Biocrine : Starhunter, Season 2, 2001
Biofeedback : The Bionic Woman, Season 2, 1977
Biogenesis, Part 1 : X Files, Season 6, 1999
Biohazard Film, 1984. A psychic makes contact with aliens.
Biohazard: The Alien Force Film, 1994 Aliens lay eggs in human beings.
Biography: The Voltron Force : Voltron 3D, Season 1, 1998
Bionic Beauty : Birds of Prey, Season 1, 1976; The Bionic Woman, Season 1, 1976
Bionic Blunder From Down Under: Gadget Boy’s Adventures in History, 1998
Bionic Dog, The Pt 1 & 2 : The Bionic Woman, Season 3, 1977
Bionic Ever After Telemovie , 1994. The Six Million Dollar Man Steve and Jaime marry, even though Jaime contracts a computer virus.
Bionics On! The First Adventure : Bionic Six, Season 1, 1987
Bionic Showdown Telemovie, 1989 The Six Million Dollar Man Yagher Secret documents are stolen from the World Unity Games in Montreal, by someone with bionic powers. Reunion TV movies: Return of the Six-Million Dollar Man and the Bionic Woman; The Bionic Showdown; Bionic Ever After
Bionic Six Series, Animated, 1987. Jack Bennett and his family are implanted with bionic systems to save their lives.
Bionic Woman, The 1. Series following The Six Million Dollar Man 1976-78, US.
2. Series 2007. After an accident Jaime Somers is turned into a super soldier.
Bioparticle Gun : Episode title, Zoids Genesis, Season 1, 2005
Biot In Red, The : Phantom 2040, Season 1, 1994
Bioyomon Gets Firepower: Digimon : Digital Monsters, Season 1, 1999
Bio Zoid : Zoids Genesis, Season 1, 2005
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