Ghouls, Alive, Dead or a little of both?

[Walpknut]

Alive, they are not zombies.

 

[valcik]

Well technically they're not genetically 100% human as their DNA has been altered by the radiation. Which would make them human mutants.

Let's face it.
Every human child is born with a slightly mutated DNA. In comparison to the parent's DNA, there is approximately 60 differences in a child's DNA.
We are mutated humans too, everyone of us, guys.

Back on topic:
Ghouls are alive, and some of them are a sharp smartasses too.

 

[popej]

Well I was talking more of aquired mutations rather than hereditary ones. Classically this is what you'd call a 'mutant' isn't it?

But yeah, you're right, we're all mutations of our parents combined genes. Evolution in action!

 

[The Enclave 86]

Well technically they're not genetically 100% human as their DNA has been altered by the radiation. Which would make them human mutants.

Let's face it.
Every human child is born with a slightly mutated DNA. In comparison to the parent's DNA, there is approximately 60 differences in a child's DNA.
We are mutated humans too, everyone of us, guys.

Back on topic:
Ghouls are alive, and some of them are a sharp smartasses too.

More than likely that he was refering to genetic mutations introduced through radiation as opposed to genetic differences from parents; one is is a natural process and the other is the result of global nuclear wafare. Get the difference?

One means that you get your Dad's nose and the other turns you into a Ghoul.

 

[valcik]

Well I was talking more of aquired mutations rather than hereditary ones. Classically this is what you'd call a 'mutant' isn't it?

Yup, that's it.

.. one is is a natural process

Proper term is a natural mutation.
Your DNA is combined from some DNA fragments of the parents of yours, plus there are some brand new and unique mutations (cca 60), which are not present in the parent's DNA. So, even the Enclave child is naturaly mutated, that's my point.
(And yes, I can see the difference between a natural or a forced mutation pretty clearly. Both of them are caused by very similar factors.)

 

[Two-step]

They are alive, mutated, and very long lived humans. Many of them have been around since the war of 2077... FO:NV takes place in 2281.
Ferrel ghouls are also alive, though little more than the monsters they appear to be. But, they seem to coexist with "normal" ghouls with out incident or trouble.

http://fallout.wikia.com/wiki/Ghoul

 

[Richwizard]

A brief summary of my impressions are as follows. Fallout ghouls are living humans that have survived, but been severely damaged by massive exposure to radiation. Much of this damage is genetic. Being alive, they still need to eat and drink, but their condition affects much of their metabolism. Although, their lifespans seem to have been greatly extended, they are probably still dying very slowly as their bodies deteriorate. When their brains rot badly enough for them to lose their cognitive abilities, they become feral.