"Mr. President, we have some very valuable information for you."
A man and woman stood in the Oval Office; both wore lab coats and carried a
large tablet with diagrams and equations between them.
They looked to be fresh out of college, the man had a full but well-kempt beard,
the woman had sleek brown hair that reached to her waist. The title page of the
tablet read "GENOME MISTAKE?"
"Go ahead," the leader of the United States told them.
"My name is Dr. Jeff Prafesser, and this is my wife, Dr. Nancy."
"Dr. Prafesser?" the President repeated with a grin.
"Quite the irony isn't it, Sir? But please allow us to continue, this may change
life as we know it."
"Through our research, we have found the possibility that the Human Genome
Project may have missed something. It appears to be a very rare case, about 1
in 10,000, but there appears to be another gene humans are capable of having.
This 'Genome ß' has a very profound effect for those who carry it. We tested
this gene by inserting it into mice. After activation, this gene changed the mice
in ways unimaginable. Their strength, agility, flexibility, and stamina were
increased tenfold (they even required less food to do it and could live longer
without food or water!). Their intelligence rose dramatically, making them the
mice equivalent of a genius. Moreover, their immune system became almost
perfect. Not only did they contract no diseases, but cancerous cells we
introduced were attacked before we could pull the needle out. Even HIV was
completely obliterated. We cut one of the mice's legs off; the leg was
immediately replaced. Similarly, wounds were healed instantly: I dropped a
scapel on a mouse and it sliced through its head. The wound immediately
closed around it and the scalpel disintegrated up to it's skin. We ran an x-ray
and the metal was completely gone! Their lifespans also doubled and their
fertility increased and was perfected so that all of their offspring were likewise
gifted. You can see why research for humans would be quite benificial."
The President said nothing but watched and listened as the two gave example
after example of what had happened and what could be. But he was a smart
man. After the presentation, he offered one question: "What's the catch?"
"Well, you see, sir, activation of the gene is extremely difficult. In almost any
normal circumstance this gene remains dormant, hence the lack of superheroes
running around. Gene ß is extremely fickle as well. In order to activate the
gene, two mice with the exact same genes had to meet. In other words, a clone
had to meet its original. Activation of the gene came when the two mice had
any form of intercourse. The DNA from one mouse entered its clone and
activated the gene, which then sent a signal back to the first mouse to activate
its gene. Once activated, Gene ß created these great effects; however, it was
also responsible for random and unexplained mutations. Some mice went bald,
only to grow their fur back twice as long. Some mice grew in size while others
shrank. Some gained appendages, some lost them. In one case, we had a
mouse change genders flawlessly, it was fertile. In another, the mouse became
a gerbil. When any change caused a change in major DNA structure, the gene
'shut off'. The mouse was no longer endowed with its amazing enhancements.
However, the gene remained active enough to cause more changes. If the
mouse reverted to normal, it regained its new abilities. Basically, Gene ß is
unreliable at best. Fortunately, we have worked out a few of its kinks. With a
simple antidote taken daily, the mouse was able to control its transformations to
become what it wanted or to not change at all. With research, we hope to
perfect this gene and use it to make humans a more sustainable race. As for
human testing, we would need permission to clone a human. This human must
carry the gene for homo- or bisexuality as the gene requires intercourse for
activation. It would also be necessary to ensure that the two were raised
equally, in order to keep their bodies and minds as identical as possible. Which
is why we have come to you, sir. Please consider this proposal carefully."
"I do see some potential in this discovery. Unfortunately, the downside of this
gene is that it could easily make someone too powerful. Such human subjects
would have to be taught carefully and strictly so that they did not develop
malicious tendencies. As for the propagation of a superhuman species, that
could bring no end of trouble. I tell you these things because of two reasons: 1)
I think this gene may be better left alone, unactivated in humans, we are much
to imperfect and hasty to be given such power; 2) the choice does not belong to
me to approve, you would have to get the world's approval. I know this isn't
what you want to hear, so I will warn you: do not try to play God. I get the
sense that you are not believers, but the concept remains. If you are caught
trying to further this research on humans after you leave, you will be taken to
maximum security prisons to live out the rest of your days in empty white
rooms. I strongly encourage you to keep your research to mice, find out
everything you want, kill those mice, and burn your research. This should not
see the light of day again. That is my final word; good day."
The two were incredulously herded out of the room by two Secret Service
agents.
* * * * * * * * * *
In a quite hospital room, a new mother slept heavily, her husband sleeping in
the chair next to her. A nurse came in and walked over to the baby's bed. She
wrote down the information, then took a needle and drew a sample of the
baby's blood. The nurse then walked out, her waist-length hair flowing behind
her. After a stop to the medical files of the baby boy, which she copied on a
hand-held scanner, she walked out to a waiting hovercar.
"Well?" a man with a beard asked her as they drove away.
"That's a deep subject," the woman joked.
"Come on, this is serious!"
"I know, but you're so uptight. We weren't caught, relax. We've bugged the
faily's house so we know exactly how to raise him. We send him out to find his
originator, they screw, we have our research. We're creating a new race, be
happy for once."
"Not until I know it works."
The lights on a dashboard machine lit up. An egg had been filled with the host
DNA. Nancy was ready for insemination, the child she gave birth to would not
be her own, and she would not be able to raise him how she wanted. He would
be exactly like his host. And together, they would be superhumans.