Homo excelsior

The beta strain, more appropriately called the beta process, is a procedure by which a cellular-based body is completely replaced with a synthetic model, referred to in this case as homo excelsior. Most colloquially refer to such individuals as betas, in part because of the extended period the project was effectively 'in beta testing'.

While homo excelsior has clearly superior characteristics to homo supernus, even regarding the braincase, not everyone considers this to be worth the 'price' of the upgrade - namely, it is not capable of unassisted reproduction or regeneration. Many do opt to retain a form of alpha superior DNA to reproduce with, however, and female bodies are capable of carrying a child to term.

Beta strain construction also forms the basis of android technology. In addition, most degenerates are actually beta variants, as there is less oversight watching for reproductive attempts, considering they mostly can't.