Actually, there are a few, most of which have already been mentioned, such as More than Meets the Eye #8 mentioning other untapped potential for creating new life that doesn't require protoforms, and repeatedly referencing specific abilities inherent with certain Transformers being hardwired into their genetic codes, as well as the last issue of the manga version of Victory showing small TF children, namely, the children of the Dino Force. Both of these are credible canon sources.Counterpunch wrote:Whiner-tron wrote:The “gene” theory is sound. DNA is nothing more than a biological blue print and the equivalent of that would HAVE to be in a Transformer’s self repair systems, or else an arm would grow where a leg used to be. I think that these same nano-bots could combine and create a new Transformer, a combination of the donor robots, or parents.
Ok, here's the thing...all of this is plausable.
I acknowleged this with my earlier posting.
However, none of it is canonical. That being said, it's still plausable. The crux of the issue, is that in no credible media is this theory supported or reinforced.
What we do know about TF life, is that it originates at the Spark. Sparks are a part of the Matrix, Primus, Vector Sigma, and/or the AllSpark depending on the series. While TFs could replicate organisms which are similar to themselves, without this higher devine presence, their is nothing to grant the 'Spark of life' to the creation. It would not be a Transformer in the same way that a Spark endued robot is a Transformer.
I just went back to the bookstore to do some research from the Ultimate Guide and it confirmed, at least through Beast Wars, that yes, TFs are indeed made up of nanomachines, as stated in this passage (bolded sections for emphasis):
During the orbital dogfight, the Axalon ejects its cargo of stasis pods as aprecautionary measure. The shielded metal stasis pods contain Maximal protoforms (masses of gray, shapeless gell filled with replicating nanomahinery) and their sparks (the sentient aspect of the Maximal itself). On arrival in a new environment, the pods computer scans for compatible life-forms, reformatting the occupant accordingly. However, the Maximal chip can be overridden, making the protoform believe it is a Predicon.—Transformers: The Ultimate Guide Updated Edition, page 80
MtMtE also mentions stasis pods being used to keep TFs in a form of "suspended animation for long space flights or even imprisoning criminals. Apparently, they work by separating the spark from the body, keeping it in a separate containment field, within the pod and reverting the body back to a protoform state.
Zombie Starscream wrote:I wonder if any Lithones escaped the destruction of their planet?
Hmm.. as a secondary question, since in this thread it is assumed that a Tf can reproduce sexually, how does the male Tf know when the female Tf is attracted to him? I know with animals and possibly people, pheromones are used, but what of a Tf? Does he/she have to rely solely on body language (flrting, a smile) or is there a pheromone equivelant? Or does a male Tf just suddenly say to a female Tf "I love you, lets get married?" and thats it?
I wouldn't doubt that TFs have some form of pheremones too. IF Ratchet's statement about Sam's pheremone levels from the movie is any indication, TFs seem to know an awful lot about that sort of thing, and I don't think all of that knowledge came from the internet. Thus, I would hazzard to say that they simply fall in love and go through typical courtship. Going by the cartoon for a moment, before Prime and Elita-1 were rebuilt into their current forms, by Alpha Trion, they were already boyfriend and girlfriend (Orion Pax and Ariel). So being specially built for one another doesn'r seem to make any sense to me. It's just a matter of boy meets girl, etc...