Introns

Introns are a seemingly unused portion of material attached to the cells of all known living organisms, including humans. Its exact purpose is as yet unknown.

Star Trek

The inactive portion contains the genetic information of a species' evolutionary ancestors. The introns were stimulated by Barclay's Protomorphosis Syndrome.

Outer Limits (1995)

The inactive portion contains the genetic information for potential evolutionary descendants in most animals, but contains alien pre-programming in humans. Dr. Martin Nodel used a serum to stimulate introns.