Mutant

"Mutant and proud."

- Mystique

A mutant is an individual who is either born with or develops severe physical abnormalities that sets them apart from the baseline genetic structure of their native species. Sometimes, genetic mutations may generate superhuman powers and abilities such as enhanced strength or the power to project energy beams. Mutants are often regarded as sub-class beings and are commonly feared or even hated by non-mutant members of their race.

In the internal continuity of the Marvel Universe as seen in comic books published by Marvel Comics, mutant has a slightly different definition. A mutant is a human being who is born with an extra genetic element, or "x-factor", that sets them apart from baseline humanity. Most Marvel Mutants develop physical mutagenic properties upon the onset of puberty, though some mutants are born with their unique genetic abnormalities. Unlike mutants found in other forms of science fiction, Marvel Mutants almost universally develop some type of superhuman ability. One of the foremost authorities on genetic mutation is Professor Charles Xavier, himself a mutant gifted with the ability to read the minds of others.

The human population of the Marvel Universe generally holds mutants in low regard. Most of this is generated through anti-mutant propaganda perpetuated by highly influential individuals in the Federal government, the church and various special interest groups. The inherent fear of mutants stems from the belief that because they possess super-powers and are born different, they somehow hold to a different system of values that undermines the accepted morals of non-mutants. This radical mindset is exacerbated by fundamentalist mutant activists such as Magneto.

Standing at the forefront of Mutant rights is the superhero team the X-Men. Founded by Professor Xavier, the X-Men are a super-powered mutants sworn to protect a world that hates and fears them. Collectively, they work towards realizing Xavier's dream of peaceful coexistence between humans and mutants. As with all such agendas however, there are always those who stand in stark opposition to such idealism. Enter Magneto and his various followers. Magneto does not share Xavier's dream equality between the races, but holds to the credo that mutants are the next step in natural human evolution and by extent they are thereby superior to them. As said by Magneto in the 2000 X-Men feature film, "We are the future now, Charles. Not them. They no longer matter".