A YJA Moment - Metahumans

The term Metahuman was originally coined by the Strategic Science Reserve in World War Two to denote individuals with extraordinary abilities.  Individuals like Captain America Steve Rogers, Jim Hammond the original Human Torch, and Namor McKenzie the Sub-Mariner all were defined as metahumans despite the disparate origins of their abilities.  

It wasn't until after the war ended that research into the human genome that metahuman came to be defined as those who possessed the "meta-gene" sequence responsible for giving individuals powers.

The origins of the meta-gene are largely unknown but it's not believed to have been the result of natural evolution.  There are many ancient species who could easily have altered the genetic structure of humanity, including the ancient and mysterious beings known as the Celestials.

Metahuman abilities have no single triggering mechanism.  For most, developing their powers comes with the physical and biochemical changes in puberty.  However, the adrenaline from internal trauma or external influences such as various frequencies of radiation can also be responsible.  

For instance, in an attempt to create weapons in their endless war against the Skrulls, the Kree developed the compound Terragen which kick-started the meta-gene but often caused more severe mutations as a result.  A spike in metahumans was also reported after the Particle Accelerator accident in Central City.

Although metahumans have been around for most of the modern era, the public has never really considered the ramifications of their existence.  As long as these individuals were relatively rare and fought crime in bright costumes, society at large was content.

With the release of the Reach Papers and the realization that those with latent or expressed meta-genes could number in the tens of thousands, there has been some hysteria amongst the fringes of society.  

Groups like the Friends of Humanity have condemned metahumans as freaks, while the militant Brotherhood heralds them as the next step in evolution.  Throughout the world, metahumans have earned a new derogatory nickname...mutants.