NationStates Jolt Archive

Last night the Bohravian Science and Research Ministries approved a government-backed plan to undertake human cloning and genetic engineering programs for reseach and 'other' purposes.

Although the amount of government funds allocated to the project is yet to be disclosed, experts have reason to believe it is a minimalist amount.

The Goverment certainly has no intentions of overspending on the project, with its main fiscal preoccupation at present being increased funding for the National Police as well as the NASPO, the nation's secret police.

However in the wake of the rioting and martial-law declaration in Kremajsz earlier this week, the Government is desperate to reinforce its authority upon the populace. Who knows - should the other purposes of the genetic reseach be military or otherwise...it could spell a harder time yet for democratic reformists and liberals calling for benevolent change.

<<5/27/04, 11pm – KADMUS Research Centre; 5 miles west of Kremajsz>>

****

Professor Conrad Sporovic sat quietly at his desk, thinking about the news he’d just received by phone. It had been a personal message from the Minister of Science, informing him the government had greenlighted "Project Prometheus" – an extensive genetic engineering/research project. He was to head it, and he’d been told to commence as soon as possible.

He gazed around his dull, gray office. Three rows of slightly-rusting bronze drawers and file cabinets containing books, folios and other material on genetics, bioengineering and the like cluttered the small room. A portrait of the omnipresent Bohravian ruler General Anbar hung on the wall over his desk. Below it ran an inscription “To work for Anbar is to work for Bohravia – Hail our proud fatherland!”

On the Professor’s desk was a small Bohravian flag; the dull, malicious-looking black-white-gray horizontal triband with the dreaded party logo (chromed Arrow Cross superimposed on a pale, jagged-lined socialist star) emblazoned in the centre.

At that moment the Professor was interrupted by a faint knocking on the door. It was one of his assistants, Doctor Nikola Tchaikevsky.

“Um, excuse me sir…could I please come in?” he asked.

“Of course – be my guest” coolly replied his superior.

The mousy-looking young assistant stepped in and calmly took a seat. The professor glared at him for a few moments before asking “So, would you mind telling me what this is about?”

“Well, the thing is sir…I was pretty much about to ask you that question. Is…is it true they’ve given the project he go-ahead?” he asked nervously. He was naturally a nervous, fallible man but even the professor had to concede he’d never seen Nikola this tense before.

“As a matter of fact, yes” replied Professor Sporovic “in fact, I just got off the phone with Luczak, the Minister for Science. He says the government have greenlighted it, and we’re to begin our research as soon as we can.”

The assistant trembled slightly, before nervously replying “B-But…but sir, you…you’re seriously not going to be a party to this…this affront to humanity, are you? I mean, experimenting on embryos…it…it makes me sick just to think of it!” he exclaimed, as if he were about to throw up. “Sir, you’re the nation’s top authority in the field…surely you won’t just blindly follow orders this time…this is a matter of ethics now!”

The professor looked at him, taking in his colleague’s undeniable shock and horror at the nature of the work they’d been demanded to undertake. He knew Tchaikevsky was being reasonable enough, but he was also letting his emotions run away with him. And that was no way for a proper scientist to conduct himself. Which is why he hesitated before replying…

****

(continued...)

"Nikola, listen to me. We are scientists, and the first rule of science is not to let personal opinions get in the way of professional ones-"

"That IS my professional opinion, sir!" shot back Tchaikevsky. "And if you don't mind my saying, I think I'm qualified enough to differentiate...but I can't do this. Even if I get a 25% payrise, I will not compromise my position for something that goes against everything I've ever believed in."

The professor pricked his ears at his normally-quiet colleague's sudden outburst. He'd obviously never heard or seen him like this before, but he wasn't one to be easily intimidated either.

"Look, you know the primary, utmost purposes for scientific research in this country" he began, "so don't get all soppy and sentimental with me here. We're not here to develop a cure for cancer, you know..."

"So it's all for military purposes, is it?" asked Tchaikevsky.

"Yes, of course" came the reply "and in case you've forgotten, you're in no position whatsoever to refuse orders. Now listen carefully - we are getting the raise we've spent the past three years crying out for, not to mention the chance of putting our nation on what is still a fairly-unique pedestal. Not many nations on Earth have what it takes to launch detailed programs in to the research and practice of genetic engineering. Within years Bohravia could well be a world leader in the field, for all we know. And you have the chance to be a part of that. Think of the groundbreaking possibilities...that's what lies at the core of our field, our profession. And here you are wanting to turn all that down? Get a grip, man! You're being given the chance of a lifetime here! Don't tell me you're considering walking away from all that, just to preserve your own little selfish pride! And besides, as I said, you have no choice. So please tell me we're in this together or I'll pick up the phone and you'll not only be run right out of here, but thrown in jail as a traitor to the state...you know that. So what's it going to be, my friend?"

Nikola nodded lightly.

"Good" came the rather relieved reply of Prof. Sporovic. "Now listen. Stem-cell research is a vital key in all of this. It has already been found to possess mass potential in physical healing and regenerative qualities. But if we can splice these stem cells and apply them to other spliced cell-organisms in a similiar way to cloning, it just may be possible to actually genetically tamper with much larger organisms than say, plants or small animals. What I'm talking about is far bigger than 'human' ears growing out of piglets' backs or glow-in-the-dark mice. I'm talking about glow-in-the-dark or even invisible men! Think of it - genetically-altered - or created from scratch - soldiers with superhuman strength, or speed or agility, heightened senses...the possibilities are endless, and they would infinitely enrich our military might to levels before unforeseen!" he finished, with all the racoteur and wild-eyed mania of a mad scientist.

"Sir...I think you've been reading too many of those Western comic books" came the decidedly-unimpressed reply.

"Well, yes, it seems far-fetched to say the least" retorted the professor "nobody said this could be done overnight. But nothing is impossible anymore, you see. Not in this day and age. Over time, these things can be realised to their fullest potential. And you forget, they must be, because our Government is literally counting on us to kickstart it all. And we cannot let them down - I certainly don't want to. The question here is; would you be prepared to do so?" he asked pertinently at his colleague, who was now beginning to back away in mild fear.