MICHAEL CRICHTON NEXT A Novel

This novel is fiction, except for the parts that arent.

The more the universe seems comprehensible, the more it also seems pointless. STEVEN WEINBE ! The "or# $cause% is an altar to an un&no"n 'o#. WI((I)* +)*ES What is not possible is not to choose. +E)N,-).( S) T E

-rolo'ue Vasco Bor#en, fort/,nine, tu''e# at the lapels of his suit an# strai'htene# his tie as he "al&e# #o"n the plush carpete# hall"a/. 0e "asnt use# to "earin' a suit, thou'h he ha# ha# this one, in nav/, speciall/ tailore# to minimi1e the muscular bul& of his bo#/. Bor#en "as bi', six,four, t"o,fort/, an ex2football pla/er "ho "or&e# as a private investi'ator an# fu'itive,recover/ specialist. )n# ri'ht no", Vasco "as follo"in' his man, a thirt/,/ear,ol# bal#in' post#oc, a fu'itive from *icro-roteonomics of 3ambri#'e, *ass., as he hea#e# ri'ht for the main room of the conference. The Bio3han'e 4556 3onference, enthusiasticall/ entitle# $*a&e It 0appen No"7% "as bein'

hel# at the Venetian hotel in (as Ve'as. The t"o thousan# atten#ees represente# all sorts of biotech "or&ers, inclu#in' investors, 0 officers "ho hire# scientists, technolo'/ transfer officers, 3E8s, an# intellectual propert/ attorne/s. In one "a/ or another, nearl/ ever/ biotech compan/ in )merica "as represente# here. It "as the perfect place for the fu'itive to meet his contact. The fu'itive loo&e# li&e a #in&9 he ha# an innocent face an# a little soul patch on his chin9 he slouche# "hen he "al&e# an# 'ave the impression of timi#it/ an# ineptitu#e. But the fact "as, he# ma#e off "ith t"elve trans'enic embr/os in a cr/o'enic #e"ar an# transporte# them across countr/ to this conference, "here he inten#e# to turn them over to "homever he "as "or&in' for. It "oul#nt be the first time a post#oc 'ot tire# of "or&in' on salar/. 8r the last. The fu'itive "ent over to the chec&,in table to 'et his conference car# to #rape aroun# his nec&. Vasco hun' b/ the entrance, slippin' his o"n car# over his hea#. 0e# come prepare# for this. 0e preten#e# to loo& at the event roster. The bi' speeches "ere all in the main ballroom. Seminars "ere sche#ule# for such topics as $:ine,Tune ;our ecruitin' -rocess,% an# $Winnin' Strate'ies to <eep esearch Talent,% $Executive an# E=uit/ 3ompensation,% $3orporate !overnance an# the SE3,% $-atent 8ffice Tren#s,% an# $Investor )n'els> Boon or 3urse?% an#, finall/, $Tra#e Secrets -irac/> -rotect ;ourself No"7% *uch of Vascos "or& involve# hi'h,tech firms. 0e ha# been to these conferences before. Either the/ "ere about science or business. This one "as business. The fu'itive, "hose name "as E##ie Tolman, "al&e# past him into the ballroom. Vasco follo"e#. Tolman "ent #o"n a fe" ro"s an# #roppe# into a seat "ith no one nearb/. Vasco slippe# into the ro" behin# an# sat a little to one si#e. The Tolman &i# chec&e# his cell phone for text messa'es, then seeme# to relax, an# loo&e# up to listen to the speech. Vasco "on#ere# "h/.

The manat the po#ium "as one of the most famous venture capitalists in 3alifornia, a le'en# in hi'h,tech investment, +ac& B. Watson. Watsons face "as blo"n up lar'e on the screen behin# him, his tra#emar& suntan an# stri&in' 'oo# loo&s ma'nifie# to fill the room. Watson "as a /oun',loo&in' fift/,t"o, an# assi#uousl/ cultivate# his reputation as a capitalist "ith a conscience. That appellation ha# carrie# him throu'h a succession of ruthless business #eals> all the me#ia ever sho"e# "ere his appearances at charter schools, or han#in' out scholarships for un#erprivile'e# &i#s. But in this room, Vasco &ne", Watsons reputation for tou'h #eal ma&in' "oul# be foremost in ever/ones min#. 0e "on#ere# if Watson "as ruthless enou'h to ac=uire a #o1en trans'enic embr/os b/ illicit means. 0e probabl/ "as.

0o"ever, at the moment, Watson "as cheerlea#in'> $Biotechnolo'/ is boomin'. We are poise# to see the 'reatest 'ro"th of an/ in#ustr/ since computers thirt/ /ears a'o. The lar'est biotech compan/, )m'en, in (os )n'eles, emplo/s seven thousan# people. :e#eral 'rants to universities excee# four billion a /ear on campuses from Ne" ;or& to San :rancisco, Boston to *iami. Venture capitalists invest in biotech companies at a rate of five billion a /ear. The lure of ma'nificent cures ma#e possible b/ stem cells, c/to&ines, an# proteonomics are #ra"in' the bri'htest talent to the fiel#. )n# "ith a 'lobal population 'ro"in' ol#er b/ the minute, our future is bri'hter than ever. )n# thats not all7 $Weve reache# the point "here "e can stic& it to Bi' -harmaan# "e "ill. Those massive, bloate# companies nee# us an# the/ &no" it. The/ nee# 'enes, the/ nee# technolo'/. The/re the past. Were the future. Were "here the mone/ is7% That #re" hu'e applause. Vasco shifte# his bul& in his seat. The au#ience "as applau#in', even thou'h the/ &ne" that this son of a bitch "oul# cut their compan/ to pieces in a secon# if it suite# his bottom line. $8f course, "e face obstacles to our pro'ress. Some peopleho"ever "ell intentione# the/thin& the/ arechoose to stan# in the "a/ of human betterment. The/ #ont "ant the paral/1e# to "al&, the cancer patient to thrive, the sic& chil# to live an# pla/. These people have their reasons for ob@ectin'. eli'ious, ethical, or even Apractical. But "hatever their reasons, the/ are on the si#e of #eath. )n# the/ "ill not triumph7% *ore thun#erous applause. Vasco 'lance# at the fu'itive, Tolman. The &i# "as chec&in' his phone a'ain. Evi#entl/ "aitin' for a messa'e. )n# "aitin' impatientl/. Bi# that mean the contact "as late? That "as sure to ma&e Tolman nervous. Because some"here, Vasco &ne", this &i# ha# stashe# a stainless steel thermos of li=ui# nitro'en that hel# the embr/os. It "asnt in the &i#s room. Vasco ha# alrea#/ searche# it. )n# five #a/s ha# passe# since Tolman left 3ambri#'e. The coolant "oul#nt last forever. )n# if the embr/os tha"e#, the/ "oul# be "orthless. So unless Tolman ha# a "a/ to top up his (N 4, b/ no" he must be anxious to retrieve his container, an# han# it over to his bu/er. It ha# to happen soon. Within an hour, Vasco "as sure of it.

$8f course, people "ill tr/ to obstruct pro'ress,% Watson sai#, from the po#ium. $Even our best companies fin# themselves embroile# in pointless, unpro#uctive liti'ation. 8ne of m/ startups, Bio!en, in (os )n'eles, is in court ri'ht no" because some 'u/ name# Burnet thin&s he #oesnt nee# to honor the contracts he himself si'ne#. Because no" hes chan'e# his min#. Burnet is

tr/in' to bloc& me#ical pro'ress unless "e pa/ him. )n extortionist "hose #au'hter is the la"/er han#lin' the case for him. <eepin' it in the famil/.% Watson smile#. $But "e "ill "in the Burnet case. Because pro'ress cannot be stoppe#7% )t that, Watson thre" both han#s up in the air, "avin' to the au#ience as applause fille# the room. 0e almost acts li&e a can#i#ate, Vasco thou'ht. Is that "hat Watson "as aimin' for? The 'u/ certainl/ ha# enou'h mone/ to 'et electe#. Bein' rich "as essential in )merican politics these #a/s. -rett/ soon 0e loo&e# over, an# sa" that the Tolman &i# "as 'one. The seat "as empt/. Shit7

$-ro'ress is our mission, our sacre# callin',% Watson crie#. $-ro'ress to van=uish #isease7 -ro'ress to halt a'in', banish #ementia, exten# life7 ) life free of #isease, #eca/, pain, an# fear7 The 'reat #ream of humanit/ma#e real at last7% Vasco Bor#en "asnt listenin'. 0e "as hea#in' #o"n the ro" to"ar# the si#e aisle, scannin' the exit #oors. ) couple of people leavin', nobo#/ loo&in' li&e Tolman. The 'u/ coul#nt have 'otten a"a/, there "as 0e loo&e# bac& @ust in time to see Tolman movin' slo"l/ up the center aisle. The &i# "as loo&in' at his cell phone a'ain. $Sixt/ billion this /ear. T"o hun#re# billion next /ear. :ive hun#re# billion in five /ears7 That is the future of our in#ustr/, an# that is the prospect "e brin' to all man&in#7% The cro"# su##enl/ rose to its feet, 'ivin' Watson a stan#in' ovation, an# for a moment Vasco coul# no lon'er see Tolman at all. But onl/ for a momentno" Tolman "as ma&in' for the center exit. Vasco turne# a"a/, slippin' throu'h the si#e #oor an# out into the lobb/, @ust as Tolman came blin&in' into the bri'ht lobb/ li'ht. Tolman 'lance# at his "atch an# hea#e# #o"n the far corri#or, past bi' 'lass "in#o"s that loo&e# out on the re# bric& campanile of San *arco, re,create# b/ the Venetian hotel an# lit brilliantl/ at ni'ht. 0e "as 'oin' to"ar# the s"immin' pool area, or perhaps the court/ar#. This time of ni'ht those spaces "oul# be cro"#e#. Vasco sta/e# close.

This "as it, he thou'ht.

In the ballroom, +ac& Watson pace# bac& an# forth, smilin' an# "avin' to the cheerin' cro"#. $Than& /ou, thats ver/ &in#, than& /ouC% #uc&in' his hea# a little each time he sai# it. +ust the ri'ht amount of mo#est/. ic& Biehl snorte# in #is'ust as he "atche#. Biehl "as bac&sta'e, ta&in' it all in on a little blac&,an#,"hite monitor. Biehl "as the thirt/,four,/ear,ol# 3E8 of Bio!en esearch, a stru''lin' startup in (os )n'eles, an# this performance b/ his most important outsi#e investor fille# him "ith unease. Because Biehl &ne" that #espite the cheerlea#in', an# the press releases "ith smilin' blac& &i#s, at the en# of the #a/, +ac& Watson "as a true bastar#. )s someone put it, $The best I can sa/ about Watson is, hes not a sa#ist. 0es @ust a first,class son of a bitch.% Biehl ha# accepte# fun#in' from Watson "ith the 'reatest reluctance. 0e "ishe# he #i#nt nee# it. Biehls "ife "as "ealth/, an# he ha# starte# Bio!en "ith her mone/. 0is first venture as 3E8 ha# been to bi# on a cell line bein' license# b/ .3(). It "as the so,calle# Burnet cell line, #evelope# from a man name# :ran& Burnet, "hose bo#/ pro#uce# po"erful cancer,fi'htin' chemicals calle# c/to&ines. Biehl ha#nt reall/ expecte# to lan# the license, but he #i#, an# su##enl/ he face# the prospect of 'earin' up for :B) approval for clinical trials. The cost of clinical trials starte# at a million #ollars, an# "ent rapi#l/ to ten million a pop, not countin' #o"nstream costs an# after, mar&etin' expenses. 0e coul# no lon'er rel/ solel/ on his "ifes mone/. 0e nee#e# outsi#e financin'. That "as "hen he #iscovere# @ust ho" ris&/ venture capitalists consi#ere# c/to&ines to be. *an/ c/to&ines, such as interleu&ins, ha# ta&en /ears to come to mar&et. )n# man/ others "ere &no"n to be #an'erous, even #ea#l/, to patients. )n# then :ran& Burnet ha# brou'ht a la"suit, castin' #oubt on Bio!ens o"nership of the cell line. Biehl ha# trouble 'ettin' investors to even meet "ith him. In the en#, he ha# to accept smilin', suntanne# +ac& Watson. But Watson, Biehl &ne", "ante# nothin' less than to ta&e over Bio!en an# thro" ic& Biehl out on his ass.

$+ac&7 :antastic speech7 :antastic7% ic& exten#e# his han#, as Watson came bac&sta'e at last. $;eah. !la# /ou li&e# it.% Watson #i#nt sha&e his han#. Instea#, he unclippe# his "ireless transmitter an# #roppe# it in Biehls palm. $Ta&e care of this, ic&.% $Sure, +ac&.% $;our "ife here?%

$No, <aren coul#nt ma&e it.% Biehl shru''e#. $Thin' "ith the &i#s.% $Im sorr/ she misse# this speech,% Watson sai#. $Ill see she 'ets the BVB,% Biehl sai#. $But "e 'ot the ba# ne"s out there,% Watson sai#. $Thats the point. Ever/bo#/ no" &no"s theres a la"suit, the/ &no" Burnet is a ba# 'u/, an# the/ &no" "ere on top of it. Thats the important thin'. The compan/s no" perfectl/ positione#.% Biehl sai#, $Isthat "h/ /ou a'ree# to 'ive the speech?% Watson stare# at him. $;ou thin& I"ant to come to Ve'as? 3hrist.% 0e unclippe# the microphone, han#e# it to Biehl. $Ta&e care of this, too.% $Sure, +ac&.% )n# +ac& Watson turne# an# "al&e# a"a/ from him "ithout another "or#. ic& Biehl shivere#. Than& !o# for <arens mone/, he thou'ht. Because "ithout it, he# be #oome#.

-assin' throu'h the arches of the Bo'es -alace, Vasco Bor#en move# into the court/ar#, follo"in' his fu'itive, E##ie Tolman, throu'h the ni'httime cro"#. 0e hear# his earpiece crac&le. That "oul# be his assistant, Boll/, in another part of the hotel. 0e touche# his ear. $!o,% he sai#. $Bal#/ bo/ Tolman has reserve# some entertainment.% $Is that ri'ht?% $Thats ri'ht, he% $0ol# on,% Vasco sai#. $+ust hol# that thou'ht.% .p ahea#, he "as seein' somethin' he coul# not believe. :rom the ri'ht si#e of the court/ar#, he sa" +ac& B. Watson, accompanie# b/ a beautiful, slin&/, #ar&,haire# "oman, mer'in' "ith the cro"#. Watson "as famous for al"a/s bein' accompanie# b/ 'or'eous "omen. The/ all "or&e# for him, the/ "ere all smart, an# the/ "ere all stunnin'. The "oman #i#nt surprise Vasco. What surprise# him "as that +ac& Watson "as hea#in' #irectl/ to"ar# E##ie Tolman, the fu'itive. That ma#e no sense at all. Even if Tolman "ere #oin' a #eal "ith Watson, the famous investor "oul# never meet him face,to,face. )n# certainl/ never in public. But there the/ "ere, on a collision course in the cro"#e# Venetian court/ar#, ri'ht before his e/es.

What the hell? 0e coul#nt believe it "as 'oin' to happen. But then the slin&/ "oman stumble# a bit, an# stoppe#. She "as "earin' a short, s&inti'ht #ress an# heels. She leane# on Watsons shoul#er, bent her &nee, sho"in' plent/ of le', an# inspecte# her shoe. She a#@uste# her heel strap, stoo# up a'ain, an# smile# at Watson. )n# Vasco 'lance# a"a/ from them an# sa" that Tolman "as 'one. But no" Watson an# the "oman crosse# Vascos o"n path, passin' so close to him that he coul# smell her perfume, an# he hear# Watson murmur somethin' to her, an# she s=uee1e# his arm an# put her hea# on his shoul#er as the/ "al&e#. The romantic couple. Was all that an acci#ent? 0a# it happene# on purpose? 0a# the/ ma#e him? 0e presse# his earpiece. $Boll/. I lost him.% $No prob. I 'ot him.% 0e 'lance# up. She "as on the secon# floor, "atchin' ever/thin' belo". $Was that +ac& Watson that @ust "al&e# b/?% $;eah. I thou'ht ma/beC% $No, no,% Boll/ sai#. $I cant ima'ine Watsons involve# in this. Not his st/le. I mean, Bal#/ bo/ is hea#in' for his room because he has an appointment. Thats "hat I "as tellin' /ou. 0e 'ot some entertainment.% $Namel/?% $ ussian 'irl. )pparentl/ he onl/ li&es ussians. Tall ones.% $)n/bo#/ "e &no"?% $No, but I have a little information. )n# I 'ot cameras in his suite.% $0o"# /ou #o that?% 0e "as smilin'. $(ets @ust sa/ Venetian securit/ isnt "hat it use# to be. 3heaper, too.%

Irina <ata/eva, t"ent/,t"o, &noc&e# on the #oor. In her left han# she hel# a bottle of "ine, encase# in a velvet 'ift ba' "ith #ra"strin's at the top. ) 'u/ of about thirt/ ans"ere# the #oor, smile#. 0e "asnt attractive. $)re /ou E##ie?%

$Thats ri'ht. 3ome on in.% $I brou'ht this for /ou, from the hotel safe.% She han#e# him the "ine. Watchin' all this on his little han#hel# vi#eo monitor, Vasco sai#, $She 'ave it to him in the hall"a/. Where it "oul# be seen on the securit/ monitor. Wh/ #i#nt she "ait until she "as in the room?% $*a/be she "as tol# to #o it that "a/,% Boll/ sai#. $She must be six feet. What #o "e &no" about her?% $!oo# En'lish. :our /ears in this countr/. Stu#/in' at the universit/.% $Wor&s at the hotel?% $No.% $So, non,pro?% Vasco sai#. $This is Neva#a,% Boll/ sai#. 8n the monitor, the ussian 'irl "ent into the room an# the #oor close#. Vasco turne# the tunin' #ial on his vi#eo monitor, pic&e# up one of the insi#e cameras. The &i# ha# a bi' suite, close to t"o thousan# s=uare feet, #one in the Venetian st/le. The 'irl no##e# an# smile#. $Nice. Nice room.% $;eah. So, /ou "ant a #rin&?% She shoo& her hea#. $I #ont reall/ have time.% She reache# behin# her bac& an# un1ippe# the #ress, left it han'in' from her shoul#ers. She turne# aroun#, preten#in' to be pu11le#, allo"in' him to see her bare bac& all the "a/ #o"n to her buttoc&s. $Which "a/ is the be#room?% $This "a/, bab/.% )s the/ "ent into the be#room, Vasco a'ain turne# the #ials. 0e sa" the be#room @ust as she "as sa/in', $I #ont &no" an/thin' about /our business, an# I #ont "ant to &no". Business is so borin'.% She let the #ress fall. She steppe# out of it an# la/ #o"n on the be#, na&e# no" except for hi'h heels. She &ic&e# them off. $I #ont thin& /ou nee# a #rin&,% she sai#. $)n# I &no" I #ont.% Tolman thre" himself on her, lan#in' "ith a &in# of thu#. She 'runte# an# trie# to smile. $Eas/, bo/.% 0e "as pantin', 'aspin'. 0e reache# for her hair, to caress her. $(eave the hair alone,% she sai#. She t"iste# a"a/. $+ust lie #o"n,% she sai#, $an# let me ma&e /ou happ/.%

$)", hell, %Vasco sai#, starin' at the tin/ screen. $Bo /ou believe that? 0e aint even a minuteman. When a "oman loo&s li&e that, /ou# thin&% $Never min#,% Boll/ sai#, over the hea#set. $Shes 'ettin' #resse# no".% $So she is,% he sai#. $)n# rather hurrie#l/, too.% $Shes suppose# to 'ive him half an hour. )n# if he pai# her, I #i#nt see it.% $*e neither. But hes 'ettin' #resse#, too.% $Somethin's up,% Boll/ sai#. $Shes "al&in' out the #oor.% Vasco thumbe# the tuner, tr/in' to chan'e to a #ifferent camera. )ll he 'ot "as static. $I cant see shit.% $Shes leavin'. 0es still there. No, "aitChes leavin', too.% $;eah?% $;eah. )n# hes ta&in' the "ine bottle "ith him.% $8&a/,% Vasco sai#. $)n# "heres he 'oin' "ith it?%

:ro1en embr/os in li=ui# nitro'en "ere transporte# in a special stainless steel thermos line# "ith borosilicate 'lass calle# a #e"ar. Be"ars "ere mostl/ bi' affairs, shape# li&e mil& @u's, but /ou coul# 'et them as small as a liter. ) #e"ar #i#nt have the shape of a "ine bottle, because the/ ha# a "i#e,mouth cap, but it "oul# be about the same si1e. )n# "oul# fit in a "ine sac& for sure. $0e must be carr/in' it,% Vasco sai#. $It must be in the sac&.% $I fi'ure,% Boll/ sai#. $;ou see em /et?% $;eah, I #o.% Vasco pic&e# up the couple on the 'roun# floor, near the 'on#ola stan#. The/ "al&e# arm in arm, the 'u/ carr/in' the "ine bottle in the croo& of his arm, &eepin' it upri'ht. It "as an a"&"ar# "a/ to carr/ it, an# the/ ma#e an o##,loo&in' pairthe beautiful 'irl an# the #iffi#ent, slouch/ 'u/. The/ "al&e# alon' the canal, har#l/ 'lancin' at the shops as the/ passe# them. $8n their "a/ to a meetin',% Vasco sai#.

$I see em,% Boll/ sai#. Vasco loo&e# #o"n the cro"#e# street an# sa" Boll/ at the far en#. Boll/ "as t"ent/,ei'ht, an# completel/ or#inar/,loo&in'. Boll/ coul# be an/bo#/> an accountant, 'irlfrien#, secretar/, assistant. She coul# al"a/s pass. Toni'ht she "as #resse# Ve'as,st/le, tease# blon# hair an# a spar&l/ #ress "ith cleava'e. She "as a little over"ei'ht, "hich ma#e the impression perfect. Vasco ha# been "ith her for four /ears no", an# the/ "or&e# "ell as a team. In private life, the/ 'ot alon' onl/ o&a/. She hate# that he smo&e# ci'ars in be#. $0ea#in' for the hall,% Boll/ sai#. $No, the/re #oublin' bac&.% The main hall "as a hu'e oval passa'e"a/, hi'h 'il#e# ceilin', soft li'hts, marble pillars. It #"arfe# the cro"#s that move# throu'h it. Vasco hun' bac&. $3han'e their min#? 8r the/ ma#e us?% $I thin& the/re bein' careful.% $Well, this is the bi' moment.% Because even more than catchin' the fu'itive, the/ ha# to &no" "hom he "as turnin' the embr/os over to. 8bviousl/ someone at the conference. $Wont be lon' no",% Boll/ sai#.

ic& Biehl"as "al&in' bac& an# forth alon' the shops b/ the 'on#ola canal, hol#in' his cell phone in his han#. 0e i'nore# the stores, "hich "ere fille# "ith expensive stuff of the sort he never "ante#. Biehl ha# 'ro"n up as the thir# son of a Baltimore ph/sician. )ll the other bo/s "ent to me#ical school an# became obstetricians, li&e their father. Biehl refuse#, an# "ent into me#ical research. :amil/ pressure eventuall/ #rove him to move West. 0e #i# 'enetic research at .3S: for a "hile, but he "as more intri'ue# b/ the entrepreneurial culture amon' the universities in San :rancisco. It seeme# li&e ever/ professor "orth his salt ha# either starte# his o"n compan/ or "as sittin' on the boar#s of several biotech firms. )t lunch, the conversation "as all about tech transfer, cross,licensin', milestone pa/ments, bu/outs an# pa/outs, fore'roun# an# bac&'roun# I- s. B/ then <aren, ic&s "ife, ha# come into a substantial inheritance, an# he reali1e# he ha# enou'h capital to 'et starte#. The Ba/ )rea "as cro"#e# "ith firms9 there "as intense competition for space an# hirin'. 0e #eci#e# to 'o to the area north of (os )n'eles, "here )m'en ha# set up their hu'e facilit/. Biehl built a terrific mo#ern plant, put bri'ht research teams in place, an# "as on his "a/. 0is father an# brothers came to visit. The/ "ere #ul/ impresse#. ButC"h/ "asnt she callin' him bac&? 0e loo&e# at his "atch. It "as nine ocloc&. The &i#s shoul# be in be# b/ no". )n# <aren shoul# be home. The mai# sai# she ha# 'one out an hour before, she #i#nt &no" "here. But <aren never left "ithout her cell phone. She must have it "ith her. Wh/ "asnt she callin' him bac&?

0e #i#nt un#erstan# it, an# it @ust ma#e him nervous as hell. 0ere he "as, alone in this #amn cit/, "ith more beautiful "omen per s=uare foot than he ha# ever seen in his life. True, the/ "ere plastic, lots of sur'er/, but the/ "ere also sex/ as hell. .p ahea#, he sa" a schlump/ 'u/ "al&in' "ith a tall chic& "ho "as stri#in' alon' on spi&e heels, an# she "as @ust a &noc&out> blac& hair, smooth s&in, an# a hot, lean bo#/. The schlump/ 'u/ must have pai# for her, but even so, he clearl/ #i#nt appreciate her. 0e "as clutchin' his "ine bottle li&e it "as a bab/, an# appeare# so nervous he "as almost s"eatin'. But that 'irlC+esus, she "as hot. 0ot, hotC Wh/ the hell, he thou'ht, "asnt <aren callin' him bac&?

$0e/,% Vasco sai#. $(oo&/ loo&. Its that Bio!en 'u/. Wal&in' aroun# li&e he has nothin' to #o.% $I see him,% Boll/ sai#. She "as about a bloc& ahea# of him. $Nope, never min#.% Tolman an# the ussian 'irl "al&e# ri'ht past the Bio!en 'u/, "ho #i# nothin' but flip open his phone an# #ial. What "as his name? Biehl. Vasco ha# hear# somethin' about him. Starte# a compan/ on his "ifes #ou'h, an# no" ma/be she "as in control of their marria'e. Somethin' li&e that. ich broa#, ol# Eastern famil/, lots of mone/. Those broa#s coul# "ear the pants. $ estaurant,% Boll/ sai#. $The/re 'oin' in that Terra1o place.% Il Terra11o )ntico "as a t"o,stor/ restaurant "ith 'lasse#,in balconies. The #Dcor "as "horehouse mo#ern, 'il#e# ever/thin'. -illars, ceilin', "alls> ever/ surface covere# "ith #ecoration. *a#e Vasco @ump/ @ust to loo& at it. The couple "al&e# in, ri'ht past the reservation #es&, hea#in' for a si#e table. )n# at the table, Vasco sa" a heav/set 'u/ "ho loo&e# li&e a thu', #ar&,s&inne# an# heav/,bro"e#, an# the thu' "as loo&in' at the ussian 'irl an# practicall/ lic&in' his lips. Tolman marche# ri'ht up to the table an# spo&e to the #ar&,s&inne# man. The 'u/ loo&e# pu11le#. 0e #i#nt invite them to sit. Vasco thou'ht, Somethin's "ron' . The ussian 'irl ha# steppe# bac& a pace. )t that moment a flash "ent off. Boll/ ha# snappe# a picture. The Tolman &i# loo&e#, too& it all in, an# bolte#. $Shit, Boll/7%

Vasco starte# runnin' after Tolman, "ho "as hea#in' #eeper into the restaurant. ) "aiter hel# up his han#s. $Sir, excuse me% Vasco &noc&e# him flat, &ept ri'ht on 'oin'. Tolman "as ahea#, movin' slo"er than he mi'ht, because he "as tr/in' not to sha&e his precious "ine bottle. But he #i#nt &no" "here he "as 'oin' an/more. 0e #i#nt &no" the restaurant9 he "as @ust runnin'. Whan' throu'h s"in'in' #oors, into the &itchen, Vasco ri'ht after him. Ever/bo#/ "as /ellin' at them, an# some of the coo&s "ere "avin' &nives, but Tolman pushe# on, apparentl/ convince# there "as some sort of rear entrance to the &itchen. There "asnt. 0e "as trappe#. 0e loo&e# aroun# "il#l/. Vasco slo"e#. 0e flashe# one of his ba#'es, in an official,loo&in' "allet. $3iti1ens arrest,% he sai#. Tolman co"ere# bac& b/ t"o "al&,in free1ers an# a narro" #oor "ith a slim vertical "in#o". Tolman "ent throu'h the narro" #oor an# it close# behin# him. ) li'ht blin&e# b/ the #oor. It "as a service elevator. Shit. $Where #oes this 'o?% $Secon# floor.% $)n/"here else?% $No, @ust secon# floor.% Vasco presse# his earpiece. $Boll/?% $Im on it,% she sai#. 0e hear# her pantin', as she ran up stairs. Vasco positione# himself in front of the elevator #oor an# "aite#. 0e presse# the button to brin' the elevator #o"n. $Im at the elevator no",% Boll/ sai#. $I sa" him9 he "ent bac& #o"n.% $Thats a tin/ elevator,% Vasco sai#. $I &no".% $If hes reall/ 'ot li=ui# nitro'en "ith him, he shoul#nt be in there.% ) couple of /ears bac&, Vasco ha# chase# a fu'itive into a laborator/,suppl/ "arehouse. The 'u/ ha# nearl/ suffocate# after he loc&e# himself in a closet. The elevator came #o"n. )s soon as it stoppe#, Vasco /an&e# the han#le to open it, but Tolman

must have pushe# an emer'enc/ s"itch, because the #oor "oul#nt open. Vasco coul# see the "ine sac& on the floor. The velvet ha# been pushe# #o"n to reveal the stainless steel rim of the #e"ar. )n# the top "as off. White steam aroun# the openin'. Throu'h the 'lass, Tolman stare# at him, "il#,e/e#. $3ome out, son,% Vasco sai#. $Bont be foolish.% Tolman shoo& his hea#. $Its #an'erous,% Vasco sai#. $;ou &no" its #an'erous.% But the &i# pushe# a button, an# the elevator starte# bac& up. Vasco ha# a ba# feelin'. The &i# &ne", all ri'ht. 0e &ne" exactl/ "hat he "as #oin'.

$0es up here, %Boll/ sai#, stan#in' on the secon# floor. $But the #oor "ont open. No, hes 'oin' #o"n a'ain.% $!o bac& to the table,% Vasco sai# to her. $(et him 'o.% She reali1e# at once "hat he "as tal&in' about. She hurrie# bac& #o"n the plush re# velvet staircase to the 'roun# floor. She "as not surprise# to see that the table "here the thu''ish man ha# sat "as no" empt/. No thu'. No beautiful ussian 'irl. +ust a hun#re#,#ollar bill tuc&e# un#er a 'lass. 0e# pai# in cash, of course. )n# vanishe#.

Vasco "as no" surroun#e# b/ three hotel securit/ 'u/s, all tal&in' at once. Stan#in' half a hea# above them he /elle# for =uiet. $8ne thin',% he sai#. $0o" #o "e 'et the elevator open?% $0e must have hit the overri#e.% $0o" #o "e 'et it open ?% $We have to &ill the po"er to it.% $Will that open it?%

$No, but then "e can "e#'e it open, once its stoppe#.% $0o" lon' "ill that ta&e?% $*a/be ten, fifteen minutes. Boesnt matter, this 'u/ isnt 'oin' an/place.% $;es, he is,% Vasco sai#. The securit/ 'u/ lau'he#. $Where the hell can he 'o?% The elevator came #o"n a'ain. Tolman "as on his &nees, hol#in' the 'lass #oor shut. $!et up,% Vasco sai#. $!et up, 'et up. 3ome on, son, its not "orth it, stan# up7% Su##enl/, Tolmans e/es rolle# up into his hea# an# he fell onto his bac&. The elevator starte# to rise. $What the hell?% one of the securit/ men sai#. $Who is he, an/"a/?% )h shit, Vasco thou'ht.

The &i# ha# pushe# some overri#e that ha# @amme# the elevator circuits. It too& them fort/ minutes to 'et the #oors open an# haul him out. 0e "as lon' since #ea#, of course. The instant he fell, he "as immerse# in E55 percent nitro'en atmosphere, from the li=ui# nitro'en that "as streamin' from the #e"ar. Because nitro'en "as heavier than air, it pro'ressivel/ fille# the elevator from the bottom up. 8nce the &i# floppe# on his bac&, he "as alrea#/ unconscious, an# he "oul# have #ie# "ithin a minute. The securit/ 'u/s "ante# to &no" "hat "as in the #e"ar, "hich "as no lon'er smo&in'. Vasco 'ot some 'loves an# pulle# out the lon' metal stic&. There "as nothin' there, @ust a series of empt/ clips "here the embr/os shoul# have been. The embr/os ha# been remove#. $;ou mean to sa/ he &ille# himself?% one of the securit/ men sai#. $Thats ri'ht,% Vasco sai#. $0e "or&e# in an embr/olo'/ lab. 0e &ne" about the #an'er of li=ui# nitro'en in a confine# space.% Nitro'en cause# more laborator/ fatalities than an/ other chemical. 0alf the people "ho #ie# "ere tr/in' to rescue co,"or&ers "ho ha# collapse# in confine# spaces. $It "as his "a/ out of a ba# situation,% Vasco sai#.

(ater, #rivin' home "ith him, Boll/ sai#, $So "hat happene# to the embr/os?%

Vasco shoo& his hea#. $No i#ea. The &i# never 'ot them.% $;ou thin& the 'irl too& them? Before she "ent to his room?% $Somebo#/ too& them.% Vasco si'he#. $The hotel #oesnt &no" her?% $The/ revie"e# securit/ cameras. The/ #ont &no" her.% $)n# her stu#ent status?% $.niversit/ ha# her as a stu#ent last /ear. She #i#nt enroll this /ear.% $So shes vanishe#.% $;eah,% Boll/ sai#. $0er, the #ar&,s&inne# 'u/, the embr/os. Ever/thin' vanishe#.% $I# li&e to &no" ho" all this 'oes to'ether,% Vasco sai#. $*a/be it #oesnt,% Boll/ sai#. $Woul#nt be the first time,% Vasco sai#. .p ahea#, he sa" the neon of a roa#house in the #esert. 0e pulle# over. 0e nee#e# a #rin&. 3055E Bivision FG of (os )n'eles Superior 3ourt "as a "oo#,panele# room #ominate# b/ the 'reat seal of the state of 3alifornia. The room "as small an# ha# a ta"#r/ feelin'. The re##ish carpet "as fra/e# an# strea&e# "ith #irt. The "oo# veneer on the "itness stan# "as chippe#, an# one of the fluorescent li'hts "as out, leavin' the @ur/ box #ar&er than the rest of the room. The @urors themselves "ere #resse# casuall/, in @eans an# short,sleeve shirts. The @u#'es chair s=uea&e# "henever the 0onorable Bavis -i&e turne# a"a/ to 'lance at his laptop, "hich he #i# often throu'hout the #a/. )lex Burnet suspecte# he "as chec&in' his e,mail or his stoc&s. )ll in all, this courtroom seeme# an o## place to liti'ate complex issues of biotechnolo'/, but that "as "hat the/ ha# been #oin' for the past t"o "ee&s in :ran& *. Burnet v. e'ents of the .niversit/ of 3alifornia . )lex "as thirt/,t"o, a successful liti'ator, a @unior partner in her la" firm. She sat at the plaintiffs table "ith the other members of her fathers le'al team, an# "atche# as her father too& the "itness stan#. )lthou'h she smile# reassurin'l/, she "as, in fact, "orrie# about ho" he "oul# fare. :ran& Burnet "as a barrel,cheste# man "ho loo&e# /oun'er than his fift/,one /ears. 0e appeare# health/ an# confi#ent as he "as s"orn in. )lex &ne" that her fathers vi'orous appearance coul# un#ermine his case. )n#, of course, the pretrial publicit/ ha# been sava'el/

ne'ative. ic& Biehls - team ha# "or&e# har# to portra/ her #a# as an un'rateful, 'ree#/, unscrupulous man. ) man "ho interfere# "ith me#ical research. ) man "ho "oul#nt &eep his "or#, "ho @ust "ante# mone/. None of that "as truein realit/, it "as the opposite of the truth. But not a sin'le reporter ha# calle# her father to as& his si#e of the stor/. Not one. Behin# ic& Biehl stoo# +ac& Watson, the famous philanthropist. The me#ia assume# that Watson "as the 'oo# 'u/, an# therefore her father "as the ba# 'u/. 8nce that version of the moralit/ pla/ appeare# in theNe" ;or& Times H"ritten b/ the local entertainment reporterI, ever/bo#/ else fell into line. There "as a hu'e $me, too% piece in the(.). Times, tr/in' to out#o the Ne" ;or& version in vilif/in' her father. )n# the local ne"s sho"s &ept up a #ail/ #rumbeat about the man "ho "ante# to halt me#ical pro'ress, the man "ho #are# critici1e .3(), that reno"ne# center of learnin', the 'reat hometo"n universit/. ) half,#o1en cameras follo"e# her an# her father "henever the/ "al&e# up the courthouse steps. Their o"n efforts to 'et the stor/ out ha# been sin'ularl/ unsuccessful. 0er fathers hire# me#ia a#visor "as competent enou'h, but no match for +ac& Watsons "ell,oile#, "ell,finance# machine. 8f course, members of the @ur/ "oul# have seen some of the covera'e. )n# the impact of the covera'e "as to put a##e# pressure on her father not merel/ to tell his stor/, but also to re#eem himself, to contra#ict the #ama'e alrea#/ #one to him b/ the press, before he ever 'ot to the "itness stan#.

0er fathers attorne/ stoo# an# be'an his =uestions. $*r. Burnet, let me ta&e /ou bac& to the month of +une, some ei'ht /ears a'o. What "ere /ou #oin' at that time?% $I "as "or&in' construction,% her father sai#, in a firm voice. $Supervisin' all the "el#in' on the 3al'ar/ natural 'as pipeline.% $)n# "hen #i# /ou first suspect /ou "ere ill?% $I starte# "a&in' up in the ni'ht. Soa&in' "et, #renche#.% $;ou ha# a fever?% $I thou'ht so.% $;ou consulte# a #octor?% $Not for a "hile,% he sai#. $I thou'ht I ha# the flu or somethin'. But the s"eats never stoppe#. )fter a month, I starte# to feel ver/ "ea&. Then I "ent to the #octor.% $)n# "hat #i# the #octor tell /ou?%

$0e sai# I ha# a 'ro"th in m/ ab#omen. )n# he referre# me to the most eminent specialist on the West 3oast. ) professor at .3() *e#ical 3enter, in (os )n'eles.% $Who "as that specialist?% $Br. *ichael !ross. 8ver there.% 0er father pointe# to the #efen#ant, sittin' at the next table. )lex #i# not loo& over. She &ept her 'a1e on her father. $)n# "ere /ou subse=uentl/ examine# b/ Br. !ross?% $;es, I "as.% $0e con#ucte# a ph/sical exam?% $;es.% $Bi# he #o an/ tests at that time?% $;es. 0e too& bloo# an# he #i# J,ra/s an# a 3)T scan of m/ entire bo#/. )n# he too& a biops/ of m/ bone marro".% $0o" "as that #one, *r. Burnet?% $0e stuc& a nee#le in m/ hipbone, ri'ht here. The nee#le punches throu'h the bone an# into the marro". The/ suc& out the marro" an# anal/1e it.% $)n# after these tests "ere conclu#e#, #i# he tell /ou his #ia'nosis?% $;es. 0e sai# I ha# acute T,cell l/mphoblastic leu&emia.% $What #i# /ou un#erstan# that #isease to be?% $3ancer of the bone marro".% $Bi# he propose treatment?% $;es. Sur'er/ an# then chemotherap/.% $)n# #i# he tell /ou /our pro'nosis? What the outcome of this #isease "as li&el/ to be?% $0e sai# that it "asnt 'oo#.% $Was he more specific?% $0e sai#, probabl/ less than a /ear.%

$Bi# /ou subse=uentl/ 'et a secon# opinion from another #octor?% $;es, I #i#.% $With "hat result?% $*/ #ia'nosis "asChe9 uhChe confirme# the #ia'nosis.% 0er father pause#9 bit his lip, fi'htin' emotion. )lex "as surprise#. 0e "as usuall/ tou'h an# unemotional. She felt a t"in'e of concern for him, even thou'h she &ne" this moment "oul# help his case. $I "as scare#, reall/ scare#,% her father sai#. $The/ all tol# meCI #i#nt have lon' to live.% 0e lo"ere# his hea#. The courtroom "as silent. $*r. Burnet, "oul# /ou li&e some "ater?% $No. Im fine.% 0e raise# his hea#, passe# his han# across his forehea#. $-lease continue "hen /oure rea#/.% $I 'ot a thir# opinion, too. )n# ever/bo#/ sai# to me that Br. !ross "as the best #octor for this #isease.% $So /ou initiate# /our therap/ "ith Br. !ross.% $;es. I #i#.% 0er father seeme# to have recovere#. )lex sat bac& in her chair, too& a breath. The testimon/ unrolle# smoothl/ no", a stor/ her father ha# tol# #o1ens of times before. 0o" he, a scare# an# fri'htene# man, fearin' for his life, ha# put his faith in Br. !ross9 ho" he ha# un#er'one sur'er/ an# chemotherap/ un#er the #irection of Br. !ross9 ho" the s/mptoms of the #isease ha# slo"l/ fa#e# over the course of the follo"in' /ear9 ho" Br. !ross ha# seeme# at first to believe that her father "as "ell, his treatment successfull/ complete#. $;ou ha# follo",up examinations "ith Br. !ross?% $;es. Ever/ three months.% $With "hat result?% $Ever/thin' "as normal. I 'aine# "ei'ht, m/ stren'th came bac&, m/ hair 're" bac&. I felt 'oo#.% $)n# then "hat happene#?% $)bout a /ear later, after one of m/ chec&ups, Br. !ross calle# to sa/ he nee#e# to #o more

tests.% $Bi# he sa/ "h/?% $0e sai# some of m/ bloo# "or& #i#nt loo& ri'ht.% $Bi# he sa/ "hich tests, specificall/?% $No.% $Bi# he sa/ /ou still ha# cancer?% $No, but thats "hat I "as afrai# of. 0e ha# never repeate# an/ tests before.% 0er father shifte# in his chair. $I as&e# him if the cancer ha# come bac&, an# he sai#, ANot at this point, but "e nee# to monitor /ou ver/ closel/. 0e insiste# I nee#e# constant testin'.% $0o" #i# /ou react?% $I "as terrifie#. In a "a/, it "as "orse the secon# time. When I "as sic& the first time, I ma#e m/ "ill, ma#e all the preparations. Then I 'ot "ell an# I 'ot a ne" lease on lifea chance to start over. Then his phone call came, an# I "as terrifie# a'ain.% $;ou believe# /ou "ere sic&.% $8f course. Wh/ else "oul# he be repeatin' tests?% $;ou "ere fri'htene#?% $Terrifie#.% Watchin' the =uestionin', )lex thou'ht, Its too ba# "e #ont have pictures. 0er father appeare# vi'orous an# heart/. She remembere# "hen he ha# been frail, 'ra/, an# "ea&. 0is clothes ha# hun' on his frame9 he loo&e# li&e a #/in' man. No" he loo&e# stron', li&e the construction "or&er he ha# been all his life. 0e #i#nt loo& li&e a man "ho became fri'htene# easil/. )lex &ne" these =uestions "ere essential to establish a basis for frau#, an# a basis for mental #istress. But it ha# to be #one carefull/. )n# their lea# la"/er, she &ne", ha# a ba# habit of i'norin' his o"n notes once the testimon/ "as rollin'. The la"/er sai#, $What happene# next, *r. Burnet?% $I "ent in for tests. Br. !ross repeate# ever/thin'. 0e even #i# another liver biops/.% $With "hat result?% $0e tol# me to come bac& in six months.%

$Wh/?% $0e @ust sai#, A3ome bac& in six months.% $0o" #i# /ou feel at this time?% $I felt health/. But I fi'ure# I# ha# a relapse.% $Br. !ross tol# /ou that?% $No. 0e never tol# me an/thin'. Nobo#/ at the hospital ever tol# me an/thin'. The/ @ust sai#, A3ome bac& in six months.%

Naturall/ enou'h, her father believe# he "as still sic&. 0e met a "oman he mi'ht have marrie#, but #i#nt because he thou'ht he #i# not have lon' to live. 0e sol# his house an# move# into a small apartment, so he "oul#nt have a mort'a'e. $It soun#s li&e /ou "ere "aitin' to #ie,% the attorne/ sai#. $8b@ection7% $Ill "ith#ra" the =uestion. But lets move on. *r. Burnet, ho" lon' #i# /ou continue 'oin' to .3() for testin'?% $:our /ears.% $:our /ears. )n# "hen #i# /ou first suspect /ou "ere not bein' tol# the truth about /our con#ition?% $Well, four /ears later, I still felt health/. Nothin' ha# happene#. Ever/ #a/, I "as "aitin' for li'htnin' to stri&e, but it never #i#. But Br. !ross &ept sa/in' I ha# to come bac& for more tests, more tests. B/ then I ha# move# to San Bie'o, an# I "ante# to have m/ tests #one there, an# sent up to him. But he sai# no, I ha# to #o the tests at .3().% $Wh/?% $0e sai# he preferre# his o"n lab. But it #i#nt ma&e sense. )n# he "as 'ivin' me more an# more forms to si'n.% $What forms?% $)t first, the/ "ere @ust consent forms to ac&no"le#'e that I "as un#erta&in' a proce#ure "ith ris&. Those first forms "ere one or t"o pa'es lon'. -rett/ soon there "ere other forms that sai# I a'ree# to be involve# in a research pro@ect. Each time I "ent bac&, there "ere still more forms.

Eventuall/ the forms "ere ten pa'es lon', a "hole #ocument in #ense le'al lan'ua'e.% $)n# #i# /ou si'n them?% $To"ar# the en#, no.% $Wh/ not?% $Because some of the forms "ere releases to permit the commercial use of m/ tissues.% $That bothere# /ou?% $Sure. Because I #i#nt thin& he "as tellin' me the truth about "hat he "as #oin'. The reason for all the tests. 8n one visit, I as&e# Br. !ross strai'ht out if he "as usin' m/ tissues for commercial purposes. 0e sai# absolutel/ not, his interests "ere purel/ research. So I sai# o&a/, an# I si'ne# ever/thin' except the forms allo"in' m/ tissues to be use# for commercial purposes.% $)n# "hat happene#?% $0e 'ot ver/ an'r/. 0e sai# he "oul# not be able to treat me further unless I si'ne# all the forms, an# I "as ris&in' m/ health an# m/ future. 0e sai# I "as ma&in' a bi' mista&e.% $8b@ection7 0earsa/.% $)ll ri'ht. *r. Burnet, "hen /ou refuse# to si'n the consent forms, #i# Br. !ross stop treatin' /ou?% $;es.% $)n# #i# /ou then consult a la"/er?% $;es.% $)n# "hat #i# /ou subse=uentl/ #iscover?% $That Br. !ross ha# sol# m/ cellsthe cells he too& from m/ bo#/ #urin' all these teststo a #ru' compan/ calle# Bio!en.% $)n# ho" #i# /ou feel "hen /ou hear# that?% $I "as shoc&e#,% her father sai#. $I ha# 'one to Br. !ross "hen I "as sic&, an# scare#, an# vulnerable. I ha# truste# m/ #octor. I ha# put m/ life in his han#s. I truste# him. )n# then it turne# out that he ha# been l/in' to me, an# scarin' me nee#lessl/ for /ears , @ust so he coul# steal parts of m/ o"n bo#/ from me an# sell them to ma&e a profit. :or himself. 0e never care# about me at all. 0e @ust "ante# to ta&e m/ cells.%

$Bo /ou &no" "hat those cells "ere "orth?% $The #ru' compan/ sai# three billion #ollars.% The @ur/ 'aspe#.

30554 )lex ha# been "atchin' the @ur/ all #urin' the latest testimon/. Their faces "ere impassive, but nobo#/ move#, nobo#/ shifte#. The 'asps "ere involuntar/, evi#ence of ho" #eepl/ en'a'e# the/ "ere "ith "hat the/ "ere hearin'. )n# the @ur/ remaine# transfixe# as the =uestions continue#> $*r. Burnet, #i# Br. !ross ever apolo'i1e to /ou for mislea#in' /ou?% $No.% $Bi# he ever offer to share his profit "ith /ou?% $No.% $Bi# /ou as& him to?% $Eventuall/ I #i#, /es. When I reali1e# "hat he ha# alrea#/ #one. The/ "ere m/ cells, from m/ bo#/. I thou'ht I shoul# have somethin' to sa/ about "hat "as #one "ith them.% $But he refuse#?% $;es. 0e sai# it "as none of m/ business "hat he #i# "ith m/ cells.% The @ur/ reacte# to that. Several turne# an# loo&e# at Br. !ross. That "as a 'oo# si'n, too, )lex thou'ht. $8ne final =uestion, *r. Burnet. Bi# /ou ever si'n an authori1ation for Br. !ross to use /our cells for an/ commercial purposes?% $No.% $;ou never authori1e# their sale?% $Never. But he #i# it an/"a/.% $No further =uestions.%

The @u#'e calle# a fifteen,minute recess, an# "hen the court reconvene#, the .3() attorne/s be'an the cross,examination. :or this trial, .3() ha# hire# aeper an# 3ross, a #o"nto"n firm that speciali1e# in hi'h,sta&es corporate liti'ation. aeper represente# oil companies an# ma@or #efense contractors. 3learl/, .3() #i# not re'ar# this trial as a #efense of me#ical research. Three billion #ollars "ere at sta&e9 it "as bi' business, an# the/ hire# a bi',business firm. The lea# attorne/ for .3() "as )lbert o#ri'ue1. 0e ha# a /outhful, eas/ appearance, a frien#l/ smile, an# a #isarmin' sense of seemin' ne" at the @ob. )ctuall/, o#ri'ue1 "as fort/, five an# ha# been a successful liti'ator for t"ent/ /ears, but he someho" mana'e# to 'ive the impression that this "as his first trial, an# he subtl/ appeale# to the @ur/ to cut him some slac&. $No", *r. Burnet, I ima'ine it has been taxin' for /ou to 'o over the emotionall/ #rainin' experiences of the last fe" /ears. I appreciate /our tellin' the @ur/ /our experiences, an# I "ont &eep /ou lon'. I believe /ou tol# the @ur/ that /ou "ere ver/ fri'htene#, as an/one "oul# naturall/ be. B/ the "a/, ho" much "ei'ht ha# /ou lost, "hen /ou first came to Br. !ross?% )lex thou'ht, .h,oh . She &ne" "here this "as 'oin'. The/ "ere 'oin' to emphasi1e the #ramatic nature of the cure. She 'lance# at the attorne/ sittin' besi#e her, "ho "as clearl/ tr/in' to thin& of a strate'/. She leane# over an# "hispere#, $Stop it.% The attorne/ shoo& his hea#, confuse#. 0er father "as sa/in', $I #ont &no" ho" much I lost. )bout fort/ or fift/ poun#s.% $So /our clothes #i#nt fit "ell?% $Not at all.% $)n# "hat "as /our ener'/ li&e at that time? 3oul# /ou climb a fli'ht of stairs?% $No. I# 'o t"o or three steps, an# I# have to stop.% $:rom exhaustion?% )lex nu#'e# the attorne/ at her si#e, "hispere#,$)s&e# an# ans"ere#.% The attorne/ imme#iatel/ stoo# up. $8b@ection. ;our 0onor, *r. Burnet has alrea#/ state# he "as #ia'nose# "ith a terminal con#ition.% $;es,% o#ri'ue1 sai#, $an# he has sai# he "as fri'htene#. But I thin& the @ur/ shoul# &no" @ust ho" #esperate his con#ition reall/ "as.% $Ill allo" it.%

$Than& /ou. No" then, *r. Burnet. ;ou ha# lost a =uarter of /our bo#/ "ei'ht, /ou "ere so "ea& /ou coul#nt climb more than a couple of stairs, an# /ou ha# a #ea#l/ serious form of leu&emia. Is that ri'ht?% $;es.% )lex 'ritte# her teeth. She "ante# #esperatel/ to stop this line of =uestionin', "hich "as clearl/ pre@u#icial, an# irrelevant to the =uestion of "hether her fathers #octor ha# acte# improperl/ after curin' him. But the @u#'e ha# #eci#e# to allo" it to continue, an# there "as nothin' she coul# #o. )n# it "asnt e're'ious enou'h to provi#e 'roun#s for appeal. $)n# for help in /our time of nee#,% o#ri'ue1 sai#, $/ou came to the best ph/sician on the West 3oast to treat this #isease?% $;es.% $)n# he treate# /ou.% $;es.% $)n# he cure# /ou. This expert an# carin' #octor cure# /ou.% $8b@ection7 ;our 0onor, Br. !ross is a ph/sician, not a saint.% $Sustaine#.% $)ll ri'ht,% o#ri'ue1 sai#. $(et me put it this "a/> *r. Burnet, ho" lon' has it been since /ou "ere #ia'nose# "ith leu&emia?% $Six /ears.% $Is it not true that a five,/ear survival in cancer is consi#ere# a cure?% $8b@ection, calls for expert conclusion.% $Sustaine#.% $;our 0onor,% o#ri'ue1 sai#, turnin' to the @u#'e, $I #ont &no" "h/ this is so #ifficult for *r. Burnets attorne/s. I am merel/ tr/in' to establish that Br. !ross #i#, in fact, cure the plaintiff of a #ea#l/ cancer.% $)n# I,% the @u#'e replie#, $#ont &no" "h/ it is so #ifficult for the #efense to as& that =uestion plainl/, "ithout ob@ectionable phrasin'.% $;es, ;our 0onor. Than& /ou. *r. Burnet, #o /ou consi#er /ourself cure# of leu&emia?%

$;es.% $;ou are completel/ health/ at this time?% $;es.% $Who in /our opinion cure# /ou?% $Br. !ross.% $Than& /ou. No", I believe /ou tol# the court that "hen Br. !ross as&e# /ou to return for further testin', /ou thou'ht that meant /ou "ere still ill.% $;es.% $Bi# Br. !ross ever tell /ou that /ou still ha# leu&emia?% $No.% $Bi# an/one in his office, or #i# an/ of his staff, ever tell /ou that?% $No.% $Then,% o#ri'ue1 sai#, $if I un#erstan# /our testimon/, at no time #i# /ou have an/ specific information that /ou "ere still ill?% $3orrect.% $)ll ri'ht. No" lets turn to /our treatment. ;ou receive# sur'er/ an# chemotherap/. Bo /ou &no" if /ou "ere 'iven the stan#ar# treatment for T,cell leu&emia?% $No, m/ treatment "as not stan#ar#.% $It "as ne"?% $;es.% $Were /ou the first patient to receive this treatment protocol?% $;es. I "as.% $Br. !ross tol# /ou that?% $;es.% $)n# #i# he tell /ou ho" this ne" treatment protocol "as #evelope#?%

$0e sai# it "as part of a research pro'ram.% $)n# /ou a'ree# to participate in this research pro'ram?% $;es.% $)lon' "ith other patients "ith the #isease?% $I believe there "ere others, /es.% $)n# the research protocol "or&e# in /our case?% $;es.% $;ou "ere cure#.% $;es.% $Than& /ou. No", *r. Burnet, /ou are a"are that in me#ical research, ne" #ru's to help fi'ht #isease are often #erive# from, or teste# on, patient tissues?% $;es.% $;ou &ne" /our tissues "oul# be use# in that fashion?% $;es, but not for commercial% $Im sorr/, @ust ans"er /es or no. When /ou a'ree# to allo" /our tissues to be use# for research, #i# /ou &no" the/ mi'ht be use# to #erive or test ne" #ru's?% $;es.% $)n# if a ne" #ru' "as foun#, #i# /ou expect the #ru' to be ma#e available to other patients?% $;es.% $Bi# /ou si'n an authori1ation for that to happen?% ) lon' pause. Then> $;es.% $Than& /ou, *r. Burnet. I have no further =uestions.%

$0o" #o /ou thin& it "ent?% her father as&e# as the/ left the courthouse. 3losin' ar'uments

"ere the follo"in' #a/. The/ "al&e# to"ar# the par&in' lot in the ha1/ sunshine of #o"nto"n (os )n'eles. $0ar# to sa/,% )lex sai#. $The/ confuse# the facts ver/ successfull/. We &no" theres no ne" #ru' that emer'e# from this pro'ram, but I #oubt the @ur/ un#erstan#s "hat reall/ happene#. Well brin' in more expert "itnesses to explain that .3() @ust ma#e a cell line from /our tissues an# use# it to manufacture a c/to&ine, the "a/ it is manufacture# naturall/ insi#e /our bo#/. Theres no Ane" #ru' here, but thatll probabl/ be lost on the @ur/. )n# theres also the fact that o#ri'ue1 is explicitl/ shapin' this case to loo& exactl/ li&e the *oore case, a couple of #eca#es bac&. *oore "as a case ver/ much li&e /ours. Tissues "ere ta&en un#er false pretenses an# sol#. .3() "on that one easil/, thou'h the/ shoul#nt have.% $So, counselor, ho" #oes our case stan#?% She smile# at her father, thre" her arm aroun# his shoul#er, an# &isse# him on the chee&. $Truth? Its uphill,% she sai#. 3055K Barr/ Sin#ler,#ivorce la"/er to the stars, shifte# in his chair. 0e "as tr/in' to pa/ attention to the client seate# across the #es& from him, but he "as havin' trouble. The client "as a ner# name# Biehl "ho ran some biotech compan/. The 'u/ tal&e# abstractl/, no emotion, practicall/ no expression on his face, even thou'h he "as tellin' ho" his "ife "as scre"in' aroun# on him. Biehl must have been a terrible husban#. But Barr/ "asnt sure ho" much mone/ there "as in this case. It seeme# the "ife ha# all the mone/. Biehl #rone# on. 0o" his first suspicions arose "hen he calle# her from (as Ve'as. 0o" he #iscovere# the char'e slips for the hotel that she "ent to ever/ We#nes#a/. 0o" he "aite# in the lobb/ an# cau'ht her chec&in' in "ith a local tennis pro. Same ol# 3alifornia stor/. Barr/ ha# hear# it a hun#re# times. Bi#nt these people &no" the/ "ere "al&in' clichDs? 8utra'e# husban# catches "ife "ith the tennis pro. The/ "oul#nt even use that one on Besperate 0ouse"ives. Barr/ 'ave up tr/in' to listen. 0e ha# too much on his min# this mornin'. 0e ha# lost the <ir&orivich case, an# it "as all over to"n. +ust because BN) tests ha# sho"n that it "asnt the billionaires bab/. )n# then the court "oul#nt a"ar# him his fees, even thou'h he ha# cut them to a measl/ LE.F mil. The @u#'e 'ave him a =uarter of that. Ever/ #amn la"/er in to"n "as 'loatin', because the/ all ha# it in for Barr/ Sin#ler. 0e ha# hear# that (.). *a'a1ine "as #oin' a bi' stor/ on the case, sure to be unfavorable to Barr/. Not that he 'ave a crap about that. The truth "as, the more he 'ot portra/e# as an unprinciple#, ruthless pric&, the more clients floc&e# to him. Because "hen it came to a #ivorce, people "ante# a ruthless pric&. The/ line# up for one. )n# Barr/ Sin#ler "as "ithout a #oubt the most ruthless, unscrupulous, publicit/,hun'r/, self,a''ran#i1in', stop,at,nothin' son,of,a,bitch #ivorce la"/er in Southern 3alifornia. )n# prou# of it7

No, Barr/ #i#nt "orr/ about an/ of those thin's. 0e #i#nt even "orr/ about the house he "as buil#in' in *ontana for Benise an# her t"o rotten &i#s. 0e #i#nt "orr/ about the renovations on their house in 0olmb/ 0ills, even thou'h the &itchen alone "as costin' LM55<, an# Benise &ept chan'in' the plans. Benise "as a serial renovator. It "as a #isease. No, no, no. Barr/ Sin#ler "orrie# about @ust one thin'the lease. 0e ha# one "hole floor in an office buil#in' on Wilshire an# Bohen/, t"ent/,three attorne/s in his office, none of them "orth a shit, but seein' all of them at their #es&s impresse# the clients. )n# the/ coul# #o the minor stuff, li&e ta&e #epositions an# file #ela/in' motionsstuff Barr/ #i#nt "ant to be bothere# "ith. Barr/ &ne" that liti'ation "as a "ar of attrition, especiall/ in custo#/ cases. The 'oal "as to run the costs as hi'h as /ou coul# an# stretch the procee#in's out as lon' as /ou coul#, because that "a/ Barr/ earne# the lar'est possible fees, an# the spouse eventuall/ 'ot tire# of the en#less #ela/s, the ne" filin's, an# of course the spiralin' costs. Even the richest of them eventuall/ 'ot tire#. B/ an# lar'e, husban#s "ere sensible. The/ "ante# to 'et on "ith their lives, bu/ a ne" house, move in "ith the ne" 'irlfrien#, 'et a nice blo" @ob. The/ "ante# custo#/ issues settle#. But the "ives usuall/ "ante# reven'eso Barr/ &ept thin's from bein' settle#, /ear after /ear, until the husban#s cave#. *illionaires, billionaires, celebrit/ assholesit #i#nt matter. The/ all cave# in the en#. -eople sai# it "asnt a 'oo# strate'/ for the &i#s. Well, scre" the &i#s. If the clients care# an/thin' about the &i#s, the/ "oul#nt 'et #ivorce# in the first place. The/# sta/ marrie# an# miserable li&e ever/bo#/ else, because The ner# ha# sai# somethin' that @o''e# him bac& to attention. $Im sorr/,% Barr/ Sin#ler sai#. $ un that b/ me a'ain, *r. Biehl. What #i# /ou @ust sa/?% $I sai#, AI "ant m/ "ife teste#.% $I can assure /ou, these procee#in's "ill test her to the limit. )n# of course "ell put a #etective on her, see ho" much she #rin&s, "hether she #oes #ru's, sta/s out all ni'ht, has lesbian affairs, all that. Stan#ar# proce#ure.% $No, no,% Biehl sai#. $I "ant her teste# 'eneticall/.% $:or "hat?% $:or ever/thin',% he sai#. $)h,% Barr/ sai#, no##in' "isel/. What the hell "as the 'u/ tal&in' about? !enetic testin'? In a custo#/ case? 0e 'lance# #o"n at the papers in front of him, an# the business car#. I30) B $ I3<% BIE0(, -0.B. Barr/ fro"ne# unhappil/. 8nl/ assholes put a nic&name on the car#. The car# sai# he "as 3E8 of Bio!en esearch Inc., some compan/ out in Westvie" Villa'e. $:or example,% Biehl sai#, $Ill bet m/ "ife has a 'enetic pre#isposition to bipolar illness. She certainl/ acts erratic. She mi'ht have the )l1heimers 'ene. If she #oes, ps/cholo'ical tests

coul# sho" earl/ si'ns of )l1heimers.% $!oo#, ver/ 'oo#.% Barr/ Sin#ler "as no##in' vi'orousl/ no". This "as ma&in' him happ/. :resh, ne" #ispute# areas. Sin#ler love# #ispute# areas. )#minister the ps/cholo'ical test. Bi# the test sho" earl/ )l1heimers or not? Who the fuc& coul# sa/ for sure? Won#erful, "on#erful "hatever the test results, the/ "oul# be #ispute#. *ore #a/s in court, more expert "itnesses to intervie", battles of the #octorates, #ra''in' on for #a/s. Ba/s in court "ere especiall/ lucrative. )n# best of all, Barr/ reali1e# that this 'enetic testin' coul# become stan#ar# proce#ure for all custo#/ cases. Sin#ler "as brea&in' ne" 'roun# here. 0e# 'et publicit/ for this7 0e leane# for"ar# ea'erl/. $!o on, *r. BiehlC% $Test her for the #iabetes 'ene, breast cancer from the B 3) 'enes, an# all the rest. )n#,% Biehl continue#, $m/ "ife mi'ht also have the 'ene for 0untin'tons #isease, "hich causes fatal nerve #e'eneration. 0er 'ran#father ha# 0untin'tons, so its in her famil/. Both her parents are still /oun', an# the #isease onl/ sho"s up "hen /oure ol#er. So m/ "ife coul# be carr/in' the 'ene an# that "oul# mean a #eath sentence from 0untin'tons.% $.mm, /es,% Barr/ Sin#ler sai#, no##in'. $That coul# ren#er her unfit to be the primar/ care'iver to the chil#ren.% $Exactl/.% $Im surprise# she hasnt been teste# alrea#/.% $She #oesnt "ant to &no",% Biehl sai#. $Theres a fift/,fift/ chance she ma/ have the 'ene. If she #oes, shell eventuall/ #evelop the #isease an# #ie "rithin' in #ementia. But shes t"ent/, ei'ht. The #isease mi'ht not appear for another t"ent/ /ears. So if she &ne" about it no"Cit coul# ruin the rest of her life.% $But it coul# also relieve her, if she #i#nt have the 'ene.% $Too bi' a ris&. She "ont test.% $)n/ other tests /ou can thin& of?% $0ell /es,% Biehl sai#. $Thats @ust the be'innin'. I "ant her teste# "ith all the current panels. There are t"elve hun#re# 'ene tests no".% T"elve hun#re#7 Sin#ler lic&e# his lips at the prospect. Excellent7 Wh/ ha# he never hear# of this before? 0e cleare# his throat. $But /ou reali1e that if /ou #o this, she "ill #eman# /ou be teste#, as "ell.% $No problem,% Biehl sai#. $;ouve alrea#/ been teste#?%

$No. I @ust &no" ho" to fa&e the lab results.% Barr/ Sin#ler sat bac& in his chair. -erfect.

3055F Beneath the hi'h canop/ of trees, the @un'le floor "as #ar& an# silent. No bree1e stirre# the 'iant ferns at shoul#er hei'ht. 0a'ar "ipe# s"eat from his forehea#, 'lance# bac& at the others, an# pushe# on. The expe#ition move# #eep into the @un'les of central Sumatra. No one spo&e, "hich "as the "a/ 0a'ar li&e# it. The river "as @ust ahea#. ) #u'out canoe on the near ban&, a rope stretche# across the river at shoul#er hei'ht. The/ crosse# in t"o 'roups, 0a'ar stan#in' up in the #u'out, pullin' them across on the rope, then 'oin' bac& for the others. It "as silent except for the cr/ of a #istant hornbill. The/ continue# on the opposite ban&. The @un'le trail 're" narro"er, an# mu##/ in spots. The team #i#nt li&e that9 the/ ma#e a lot of noise tr/in' to scramble aroun# the "et patches. :inall/, one sai#, $0o" much farther is it?% It "as that &i#. The "hin/ )merican teena'er "ith spots on his face. 0e "as loo&in' to his mother, a lar'ish matron in a broa# stra" hat. $)re "e almost there?% the &i# "hine#. 0a'ar put his fin'er to his lips. $Nuiet7% $*/ feet hurt.% The other tourists "ere stan#in' aroun#, a cluster of bri'ht,colore# clothin'. Starin' at the &i#. $(oo&,% 0a'ar "hispere#, $if /ou ma&e noise, /ou "ont see them.% $I #ont see them an/ho".% The &i# poute#, but he fell into line as the 'roup move# on. To#a/ the/ "ere mostl/ )mericans. 0a'ar #i#nt li&e )mericans, but the/ "erent the "orst. The "orst, he ha# to a#mit, "ere the $There7% $(oo& there7%

The tourists "ere pointin' ahea#, excite#, chatterin'. )bout fift/ /ar#s up the trail an# off to the ri'ht, a @uvenile male oran'utan stoo# upri'ht in the branches that s"a/e# 'entl/ "ith his "ei'ht. *a'nificent creature, re##ish fur, rou'hl/ fort/ poun#s, #istinctive "hite strea& in the fur above his ear. 0a'ar ha# not seen him in "ee&s. 0a'ar 'esture# for the others to be =uiet, an# move# up the trail. The tourists "ere close behin# him no", stumblin', ban'in' into one another in their excitement. $Ssssh7% he hisse#. $Whats the bi' #eal?% one sai#. $I thou'ht this "as a sanctuar/.% $Ssssh7% $But the/re protecte# here% $Ssssh7% 0a'ar nee#e# it =uiet. 0e reache# into his shirt poc&et an# presse# the ecor# button. 0e unclippe# his lapel mi&e an# hel# it in his han#. The/ "ere no" about thirt/ /ar#s from the oran'. The/ passe# a si'n alon' the trail that sai# B.<.T )()* 8 )N!.T)N S)N3T.) ; . This "as "here orphane# oran's "ere nurse# to health, an# reintro#uce# into the "il#. There "as a veterinar/ facilit/, a research station, a team of researchers. $If its a sanctuar/, I #ont un#erstan# "h/% $!eor'e, /ou hear# "hat he sai#. Be =uiet.% T"ent/ /ar#s, no". $(oo&, another one7 T"o7 There7% The/ "ere pointin' off to the left. 0i'h in the canop/, a one,/ear,ol#, crashin' throu'h branches "ith an ol#er @uvenile. S"in'in' 'racefull/. 0a'ar #i#nt care. 0e "as focuse# on the first animal. The "hite,strea&e# oran' #i# not move a"a/. No" he "as han'in' b/ one han#, s"in'in' in the air, hea# coc&e# to one si#e as he loo&e# at them. The /oun'er animals in the canop/ "ere 'one. White,strea& sta/e# "here he "as, an# stare#. Ten /ar#s. 0a'ar hel# his microphone out in front of him. The tourists "ere pullin' out their cameras. The oran' stare# #irectl/ at 0a'ar an# ma#e an o## soun#, li&e a cou'h.$B"aas.% 0a'ar repeate# the soun# bac&. $B"aas.%

The oran' stare# at him. The curve# lips move#. ) se=uence of 'uttural 'runts>$8oh stomm #"aas, varlaat leanme.% 8ne of the tourists sai#, $Is he ma&in' those soun#s?% $;es,% 0a'ar sai#. $Is heCtal&in'?% $)pes cant tal&,% another tourist sai#. $8ran's are silent. It sa/s so in the boo&.% Several snappe# flash pictures of the han'in' ape. The @uvenile male sho"e# no surprise. But the lips move#>$!een lichten #"aas.% $Boes he have a col#?% a "oman as&e# nervousl/. $Soun#s li&e hes cou'hin'?% $0es not cou'hin',% another voice sai#. 0a'ar 'lance# over his shoul#er. ) heav/set man at the bac&, a man "ho ha# stru''le# to &eep up, re#,face# an# puffin', no" hel# a tape recor#er in his han#, pointin' it to"ar# the oran'. 0e ha# a #etermine# loo& on his face. 0e sai# to 0a'ar, $Is this some &in# of tric& /ou pla/?% $No,% 0a'ar sai#. The man pointe# to the oran'. $Thats Butch,% he sai#. $Sumatra use# to be a Butch colon/. Thats Butch.% $I "oul#nt &no",% 0a'ar sai#. $I "oul#. The animal sai#, AStupi#, leave me alone. )n# then it sai#, ANo li'hts. When the camera flashes "ent off.% $I #ont &no" "hat those soun#s "ere,% 0a'ar sai#. $But /ou "ere recor#in' them.% $+ust out of curiosit/% $;ou ha# /our microphone out lon' before the soun#s be'an. ;ou &ne" that animal "oul# spea&.% $8ran's cant spea&,% 0a'ar sai#. $That one can.%

The/ all stare# at the oran'utan, still s"in'in' from one arm. It scratche# itself "ith the free arm. It "as silent. The heav/set man sai# lou#l/,$!een lichten.% The ape @ust stare#, blin&e# slo"l/. $!een lichten7% The oran' 'ave no si'n of comprehension. )fter a moment, he s"un' to a nearb/ branch, an# be'an to climb into the air, movin' easil/, arm on arm. $!een lichten7% The ape &ept climbin'. The "oman in the bi' stra" hat sai#, $I thin& it "as @ust cou'hin' or somethin'.% $0e/,% the heav/set man /elle#.$*sieu7 3omment Oa va?% The ape continue# up throu'h the branches, s"in'in' in an eas/ rh/thm "ith its lon' arms. It #i# not loo& #o"n. $I thou'ht ma/be it spea&s :rench,% the man sai#. 0e shru''e#. $!uess not.% ) li'ht rain be'an to #rip from the canop/. The other tourists put their cameras a"a/. 8ne shru''e# on a li'ht, transparent raincoat. 0a'ar "ipe# the s"eat from his forehea#. .p ahea#, three /oun' oran's "ere scamperin' aroun# a tra/ of papa/as on the 'roun#. The tourists turne# their attention to them. :rom hi'h in the canop/ came a 'ro"lin' soun#>$EspPce #e con.% The phrase came to them clearl/, surprisin'l/ #istinct in the still air. The heav/set man spun aroun#.$What?% Ever/one turne# to loo& up"ar#. $That "as a s"ear "or#,% the teena'er sai#. $In :rench. I &no" it "as a s"ear "or#. In :rench.% $0ush,% his mother sai#. The 'roup stare# up at the canop/, searchin' the #ense mass of #ar& leaves. The/ coul# not see the ape up there. The heav/set man /elle#,$Nuest,ce =ue tu #is?% There "as no ans"er. +ust the crash of an animal movin' throu'h branches, an# the #istant cr/

of a hornbill.

30EE<; 30I*- 30EWS 8:: T8. ISTS HNe"s of the Worl#I

)::E S- I30T I* BS30.N!E(, :(Q30E !E8 !E B.S0 HBer Spie'elI

8 )N! -) (E : )NR)IS?77 H-aris *atch,beneath a picture of +ac=ues Berri#aI

*.S(I* *8N<E; BE )TES WESTE NE S HWee&l/ Stan#ar#I

*8N<E; *8.T0S 8::, WITNESSES )!)-E HNational En=uirerI

T)(<IN! 30I*-)NSEE E-8 TEB IN +)V) HNe" ;or& Times, subse=uent correction printe#I

-8(;!(8T - I*)TES SI!0TEB IN S.*)T ) H(os )n'eles TimesI $)n#, finall/, a 'roup of tourists in In#onesia s"ear the/ "ere abuse# b/ an oran'utan in the @un'les of Borneo. )ccor#in' to the tourists, the ape s"ore at them in Butch an# :rench, "hich

means it "as probabl/ a lot smarter than the/ "ere. But no recor#in's of the cursin' chimp have turne# up, lea#in' us to conclu#e that if /ou believe this stor/, "e have a @ob for /ou in the current a#ministration. -lent/ of tal&in' apes there7% H3ount#o"n "ith <eith 8lbermann,*SNB3 Ne"s, no correctionI 3055M !et this,%3harlie 0u''ins sai#, loo&in' at the television in the &itchen of his house in San Bie'o. The soun# "as turne# off, but he "as rea#in' the cra"l beneath. $It sa/s, ATal&in' )pe 3ite# in Sumatra.% $;ou mean it 'ot a spee#in' tic&et?% his "ife sai#, 'lancin' at the screen. She "as ma&in' brea&fast. $No,% 0u''ins sai#. $The/ must mean the ape "as Asi'hte#. With an As.% $The ape "as si'hte#? *eanin' the ape coul# see?% 0is "ife "as a hi'h school En'lish teacher. She li&e# these @o&es. $No, hone/. The stor/ sa/sCsome people in Sumatra encountere# an ape in the @un'le that tal&e#.% $I thou'ht apes cant tal&,% his "ife sai#. $Well, thats "hat the stor/ sa/s.% $So it has to be a lie.% $;ou thin&? .h, no"CBritne/ Spears is not 'ettin' #ivorce#. Im relieve#. She ma/ be pre'nant a'ain. :rom the pictures it loo&s li&e it. )n# -osh Spice "ore a nice 'reen #ress to a 'ala. )n# Stin' sa/s he can have sex for ei'ht hours "ithout stoppin'.% $Scramble# or over eas/?% his "ife sai#. $Tantric, apparentl/.% $I mean /our e''s.% $Scramble#.% $3all the &i#s, "ill /ou?% she sai#. $Ever/thin's almost rea#/.% $8&a/.% 3harlie 'ot up from the table an# hea#e# for the stairs. When he 'ot to the livin' room, the phone ran'. It "as the lab.

In the laboratories of a#ial !enomics Inc., in the eucal/ptus 'roves of the .niversit/ of 3alifornia at San Bie'o, 0enr/ <en#all #rumme# his fin'ers on the countertop "hile he "aite# for 3harlie to pic& up. The phone ran' three times. Where the fuc& "as he? :inall/, 3harlies voice> $0ello?% $3harlie,% 0enr/ sai#. $Bi# /ou hear the ne"s?% $What ne"s?% $The ape in Sumatra, for 3hrists sa&e.% $That has to be bullshit,% 3harlie sai#. $Wh/?% $3ome on, 0enr/. ;ou &no" its bullshit.% $The/ sai# the ape spo&e Butch.% $Its bullshit.% $It mi'ht have been .ttenbroe&s team,% <en#all sai#. $Nah. The ape "as bi', t"o or three /ears ol#.% $So? .ttenbroe& coul# have #one it a fe" /ears a'o. 0is teams a#vance# enou'h. Besi#es, those 'u/s from .trecht are all liars.% 3harlie 0u''ins si'he#. $Its ille'al in the Netherlan#s to #o that research.% $ i'ht. Which is "h/ the/ "oul# 'o to Sumatra to #o it.% $0enr/, the technolo'/s much too #ifficult. Were /ears a"a/ from ma&in' a trans'enic ape. ;ou &no" that.% $I #ont &no" that. ;ou hear "hat .trecht announce# /ester#a/? The/ harveste# bull stem cells an# culture# them in mouse testicles. I "oul# sa/that is #ifficult. I "oul# sa/ that is fuc&in' cuttin' e#'e.% $Especiall/ for the bulls.% $I #ont see an/thin' funn/ here.% $3ant /ou ima'ine the poor mice, #ra''in' aroun# 'iant purple bulls balls?% $Still not lau'hin'C%

$0enr/,% 3harlie sai#. $)re /ou tellin' me /ou see one report on television about a tal&in' ape, an# /ou actuall/ believe it?% $Im afrai# I #o.% $0enr/.% 3harlie soun#e# exasperate#. $Its television. This stor/s ri'ht up there "ith the t"o, hea#e# sna&e. -ull /ourself to'ether.% $The t"o,hea#e# sna&e "as real.% $I have to 'et the &i#s to school. Ill tal& to /ou later.% )n# 3harlie hun' up. :uc&er. 0is "ife al"a/s too& the &i#s to school. 0es avoi#in' me. 0enr/ <en#all "al&e# aroun# the lab, stare# out the "in#o", pace# some more. 0e too& a #eep breath. 8f course he &ne" 3harlie "as ri'ht. It ha# to be a fa&e stor/. ButC"hat if it "asnt?

It "as truethat 0enr/ <en#all ha# a ten#enc/ to be hi'h,strun'9 his han#s sometimes shoo& "hen he spo&e, especiall/ "hen he "as excite#. )n# he "as a bit of a &lut1, al"a/s stumblin', ban'in' into thin's at the lab. 0e ha# a nervous stomach. 0e "as a "orrier. But "hat 0enr/ coul#nt tell 3harlie "as that the real reason he "as "orrie# no" ha# to #o "ith a conversation that ha# ta&en place a "ee& a'o. It seeme# meanin'less at the time. No" it too& on a more ominous =ualit/. Some #its/ secretar/ from the National Institutes of 0ealth ha# calle# the lab an# as&e# for Br. <en#all. When he ans"ere# the phone, she sai#, $)re /ou Br. 0enr/ ). <en#all?% $;esC% $Is it correct that /ou came to the NI0 on a six,month sabbatical four /ears a'o?% $;es, I #i#.% $Was that from *a/ until 8ctober?% $I thin& it "as. Whats this about?%

$)n# #i# /ou con#uct part of /our research at the primate facilit/ in *ar/lan#?% $;es.% $)n# is it correct that "hen /ou came to the NI0 in *a/ of that /ear, /ou un#er"ent the usual testin' for communicable #iseases, because /ou "ere 'oin' to #o primate research?% $;es,% 0enr/ sai#. The/ ha# #one a batter/ of tests, ever/thin' from 0IV to hepatitis to flu. The/# #ra"n a lot of bloo#. $*a/ I as& "hat this is about?% $I am @ust fillin' out some a##itional paper"or&,% she sai#, $for Br. Bellarmino.% 0enr/ felt a chill. ob Bellarmino "as the hea# of the 'enetics section of NI0. 0e ha#nt been there four /ears before, "hen 0enr/ "as there, but he "as in char'e of thin's no". )n# he "as no particular frien# of either 0enr/ or 3harlie. $Is there some problem?% 0enr/ as&e#. 0e ha# the #istinct feelin' there "as. $No, no,% she sai#. $Weve @ust misplace# some of our paper"or&, an# Br. Bellarmino is a stic&ler about recor#s. While /ou "ere at the primate facilit/, #i# /ou #o an/ research involvin' a female chimpan1ee name# *ar/? 0er lab number "as :,F54.% $;ou &no", I #ont remember,% 0enr/ sai#. $Its a lon' time bac&. I "or&e# "ith several chimps. I #ont recall specificall/.% $She "as pre'nant #urin' that summer.% $Im sorr/, I @ust #ont remember.% $That "as the summer "e ha# an outbrea& of encephalitis, an# the/ ha# to =uarantine most of the chimps. Is that ri'ht?% $;es, I remember the =uarantine. The/ sent chimps all aroun# the countr/ to #ifferent facilities.% $Than& /ou, Br. <en#all. 8h"hile I have /ou on the phone, can I verif/ /our a##ress? We have KFG *arbur/ *a#ison Brive, (a +olla?% $;es, it is.% $Than&s for /our time, Br. <en#all.%

That "as the entire conversation. )ll 0enr/ reall/ thou'ht, at the time, "as that Bellarmino "as

a tric&/ son of a bitch9 /ou never &ne" "hat he "as up to. But no"C"ith this primate in SumatraC 0enr/ shoo& his hea#. 3harlie 0u''ins coul# ar'ue all he "ante#, but it "as a fact that scientists ha# alrea#/ ma#e a trans'enic mon&e/. The/# #one it /ears a'o. There "ere all &in#s of trans'enic mammals these #a/s#o's, cats, ever/thin'. It "as not out of the =uestion that the tal&in' oran' "as a trans'enic animal. 0enr/s "or& at NI0 ha# been concerne# "ith the 'enetic basis of autism. 0e# 'one to the primate facilit/ because he "ante# to &no" "hich 'enes accounte# for the #ifferences in communication abilities bet"een humans an# apes. )n# he ha# #one some "or& "ith chimp embr/os. It #i#nt lea# an/"here. In fact, he ha# har#l/ 'otten starte# before the encephalitis outbrea& halte# his research. 0e en#e# up bac& at Bethes#a an# "or&in' in a lab for the #uration of his sabbatical. That "as all he &ne". )t least, all he &ne" for sure. 0.*)NS )NB 30I*-S INTE B EB .NTI( E3ENT(; Species Split Bi# Not En# Sex, esearchers :in# a 3ontroversial esult from !enetics esearchers at 0arvar# an# *IT have conclu#e# that the split bet"een humans an# chimpan1ees occurre# more recentl/ than previousl/ thou'ht. !ene investi'ators ha# lon' &no"n that apes an# human bein's both #erive# from a common ancestor, "ho "al&e# the earth some EG million /ears a'o. !ibbons split off first, E6 million /ears a'o. 8ran'utans split about E4 million /ears a'o. !orillas split E5 million /ears a'o. 3himpan1ees an# human bein's "ere the last to split, about T million /ears a'o. 0o"ever, after #eco#in' the human 'enome in 455E, 'eneticists #iscovere# that human bein's an# chimps #iffere# in onl/ E.MU of their 'enesabout M55 'enes in all. This "as far fe"er than expecte#. B/ 455K, scientists ha# be'un to catalo' precisel/ "hich 'enes #iffere# bet"een the species. It is no" clear that man/ structural proteins, inclu#in' hemo'lobin an# c/tochrome c proteins, are i#entical in chimps an# humans. 0uman an# chimp bloo# are i#entical. If the species split T million /ears a'o, "h/ are the/ still so ali&e? 0arvar# 'eneticists believe humans an# chimpan1ees continue# to interbree# lon' after the species split. Such interbree#in', or h/bri#i1ation, puts evolutionar/ pressure on the J chromosome, causin' it to chan'e more rapi#l/ than normal. The researchers foun# that the ne"est 'enes on the human 'enome appear on the J chromosome. :rom this, researchers ar'ue that ancestral humans continue# to bree# "ith chimps until M.F

million /ears a'o, "hen the split became permanent. This ne" vie" stan#s in sharp contrast to the consensus vie" that once speciation occurs, h/bri#i1ation is $a ne'li'ible influence.% But accor#in' to Br. Bavi# eich of 0arvar#, the fact that h/bri#i1ation has rarel/ been seen in other species $ma/ simpl/ be #ue to the fact that "e have not been loo&in' for it.% The 0arvar# researchers caution that interbree#in' of humans an# chimpan1ees is not possible in the present #a/. The/ point out that press reports of h/bri# $human1ees% have invariabl/ proven false. 30556 Bio!en esearch Inc."as house# in a titanium,s&inne# cube in an in#ustrial par& outsi#e Westvie" Villa'e in Southern 3alifornia. *a@esticall/ situate# above the traffic on the E5E :ree"a/, the cube ha# been the i#ea of Bio!ens presi#ent, ic& Biehl, "ho insiste# on callin' it a hexahe#ron. The cube loo&e# impressive an# hi'h,tech "hile revealin' absolutel/ nothin' about "hat "ent on insi#e"hich is exactl/ ho" Biehl "ante# it. In a##ition, Bio!en maintaine# fort/ thousan# s=uare feet of non#escript she# space in an in#ustrial par& t"o miles a"a/. It "as there that the animal stora'e facilities "ere locate#, alon' "ith the more #an'erous labs. +osh Win&ler, an up,an#,comin' /oun' researcher, pic&e# up rubber 'loves an# a sur'ical mas& from a shelf b/ the #oor to the animal =uarters. 0is assistant, Tom Weller, "as rea#in' a ne"s clippin' tape# to the "all. $(ets 'o, Tom,% +osh sai#. $Biehl must be crappin' in his pants,% Weller sai#, pointin' to the article. $0ave /ou rea# this?% +osh turne# to loo&. It "as an article from the Wall Street +ournal > S3IENTISTS IS8()TE $*)STE % !ENE ) !enetic Basis for 3ontrollin' 8ther -eople? T8.(8.SE, : )N3E) team of :rench biolo'ists have isolate# the 'ene that #rives certain people to attempt to control others. !eneticists at the Biochemical Institute of Toulouse .niversit/, hea#e# b/ Br. *ichel Narce@ac,Boileau, announce# the #iscover/ at a press conference to#a/. $The 'ene,% Br. Narce@ac,Boileau sai#, $is associate# "ith social #ominance an# stron' control over other people. We have isolate# it in sports lea#ers, 3E8s, an# hea#s of state. We believe the 'ene is foun# in all #ictators throu'hout histor/.% Br. Narce@ac,Boileau explaine# that "hile the stron' form of the 'ene pro#uce# #ictators, the mil#er hetero1/'ous form pro#uce# a $mo#erate, =uasi,totalitarian ur'e% to tell other people ho" to run their lives, 'enerall/ for their o"n 'oo# or for their o"n safet/. $Si'nificantl/, on ps/cholo'ical testin', in#ivi#uals "ith the mil# form "ill express the vie"

that other people nee# their insi'hts, an# are unable to mana'e their o"n lives "ithout their 'ui#ance. This form of the 'ene exists amon' politicians, polic/ a#vocates, reli'ious fun#amentalists, an# celebrities. The belief complex is manifeste# b/ a stron' feelin' of certaint/, couple# "ith a po"erful sense of entitlementan# a carefull/ nurture# sense of resentment to"ar# those "ho #ont listen to them.% )t the same time, he ur'e# caution in interpretin' the results. $*an/ people "ho are #riven to control others merel/ "ant ever/bo#/ to be the same as the/ are. The/ cant tolerate #ifference.% This explaine# the teams para#oxical fin#in' that in#ivi#uals "ith the mil# form of the 'ene "ere also the most tolerant of authoritarian environments "ith strict an# invasive social rules. $8ur stu#/ sho"s that the 'ene pro#uces not onl/ a boss/ person, but also a person "illin' to be bosse#. The/ have a #istinct attraction to totalitarian states.% 0e note# that these people are especiall/ responsive to fashions of all &in#s, an# suppress opinions an# preferences not share# b/ their 'roup. +osh sai#, $AEspeciall/ responsive to fashionsCIs this a @o&e?% $No, the/re serious. Its mar&etin',% Tom Weller sai#. $To#a/ ever/thin' is mar&etin'. ea# the rest.% )lthou'h the :rench team stoppe# short of claimin' that the mil# form of the master 'ene represente# a 'enetic #iseasean $a##iction to belon'in',% as Narce@ac,Boileau phrase# it the/ nevertheless su''este# that evolutionar/ pressures "ere movin' the human race to"ar# ever,'reater conformit/. $.nbelievable,% +osh sai#. $These 'u/s in Toulouse hol# a press conference an# the "hole "orl# runs their stor/ about the Amaster 'ene? 0ave the/ publishe# in a @ournal an/"here?% $Nope, the/ @ust hel# a press conference. No publication, an# no mention of publication.% $Whats next, the slave 'ene? (oo&s li&e crap to me,% +osh sai#. 0e 'lance# at his "atch. $;ou mean, "e hope its crap.% $;eah, thats "hat I mean. We hope its crap. Because it 'ets in the "a/ of "hat Bio!ens announcin', thats for sure.% $;ou thin& Biehl "ill #ela/ the announcement?% Tom Weller as&e#. $*a/be. But Biehl #oesnt li&e "aitin'. )n# hes been nervous ever since he 'ot bac& from Ve'as.% +osh tu''e# on his rubber 'loves, put on safet/ 'o''les an# his paper face,mas&, then pic&e# up the six,inch,lon' compresse#,air c/lin#er, an# scre"e# on the vial of retrovirus. The "hole

apparatus "as the si1e of a ci'ar tube. Next, he fitte# a tin/ plastic cone on top of that, pushin' it in place "ith his thumb. $!rab /our -B).% )n# the/ pushe# throu'h the s"in'in' #oor, into the animal =uarters.

The stron', sli'htl/ s"eet o#or of the rats "as a familiar smell. There "ere five or six hun#re# rats here, all neatl/ labele# in ca'es stac&e# six feet hi'h, on both si#es of an aisle that ran #o"n the center of the room. $Whatre "e #osin' to#a/?% Tom Weller sai#. +osh rea# off a strin' of numbers. Tom chec&e# his -B) listin' of numerical locations. The/ "al&e# #o"n the aisle until the/ foun# the ca'es "ith that #a/s numbers. :ive rats in five ca'es. The animals "ere "hite, plump, movin' normall/. $The/ loo& o&a/. This is the secon# #ose?% $ i'ht.% $8&a/, bo/s,% +osh sai#. $(ets be nice for Ba##/.% 0e opene# the first ca'e, an# =uic&l/ 'rabbe# the rat insi#e. 0e hel# the animal b/ the bo#/, forefin'ers expertl/ 'rippin' the nec&, an# =uic&l/ fitte# the small plastic cone over the rats snout. The animals breath clou#e# the cone. ) brief hiss as the virus "as release#9 +osh hel# the mas& in place for ten secon#s, "hile the rat inhale#. Then he release# the animal bac& into the ca'e. $8ne #o"n.% Tom Weller tappe# his st/lus on the -B), then move# to the next ca'e.

The retrovirus ha# been bioen'ineere# to carr/ a 'ene &no"n as )3*-B KNV, one of the famil/ of 'enes controllin' aminocarbox/muconate paral#eh/#e #ecarbox/lase. Within Bio!en the/ calle# it the maturit/ 'ene. When activate#, )3*-B KNV seeme# to mo#if/ responses of the am/'#ala an# cin'ulate '/rus in the brain. The result "as an acceleration of maturational behaviorat least in rats. Infant female rats, for example, "oul# sho" precursors of maternal behavior, such as rollin' feces in their ca'es, far earlier than usual. )n# Bio!en ha# preliminar/ evi#ence for the maturational 'ene action in rhesus mon&e/s, as "ell. Interest in the 'ene centere# on a potential lin& to neuro#e'enerative #isease. 8ne school of thou'ht ar'ue# that neuro#e'enerative illnesses "ere a result of #isruptions of maturational path"a/s in the brain. If that "ere trueif )3*-B KNV "ere involve# in, sa/, )l1heimers #isease, or another form of senilit/then the commercial value of the 'ene "oul# be enormous.

+osh ha# move# on to the next ca'e an# "as hol#in' the mas& over the secon# rat "hen his cell phone "ent off. 0e 'esture# for Tom to pull it from his shirt poc&et. Weller loo&e# at the screen. $Its /our mother,% he sai#. $)h hell,% +osh sai#. $Ta&e over for a minute, "oul# /ou?%

$+oshua, "hat are /ou #oin'?% $Im "or&in', *om.% $Well, can /ou stop?% $Not reall/% $Because "e have an emer'enc/.% +osh si'he#. $What #i# he #o this time, *om?% $I #ont &no",% she sai#, $but hes in @ail, #o"nto"n.% $Well, let 3harles 'et him out.% 3harles Silverber' "as the famil/ la"/er. $3harles is 'ettin' him out ri'ht no",% his mother sai#. $But )#am has to appear in court. Somebo#/ has to #rive him home after the hearin'.% $I cant. Im at "or&.% $0es /our brother, +osh.% $0es also thirt/ /ears ol#,% +osh sai#. This ha# been 'oin' on for /ears. 0is brother )#am "as an investment ban&er "ho ha# been in an# out of rehab a #o1en times. $3ant he ta&e a taxi?% $I #ont thin& thats "ise, un#er the circumstances.% +osh si'he#. $What# he #o, *om?% $)pparentl/ he bou'ht cocaine from a "oman "ho "or&e# for the BE).% $)'ain?% $+oshua. )re /ou 'oin' to 'o #o"nto"n an# pic& him up or not?% (on' si'h. $;es, *om. Ill 'o.%

$No"? Will /ou 'o no"?% $;es, *om. Ill 'o no".% 0e flippe# the phone shut an# turne# to Weller. $What #o /ou sa/ "e finish this in a couple of hours?% $No problem,% Tom sai#. $I have some notes to "rite up bac& in the office, an/"a/.% +oshua turne#, strippin' off his 'loves as he left the room. 0e stuc& his c/lin#er, 'o''les, an# paper mas& into the poc&et of his lab coat, unclippe# his ra#iation ta', an# hurrie# to his car.

Brivin' #o"nto"n, he 'lance# at the c/lin#er protru#in' from the lab coat, "hich he ha# tosse# onto the passen'er seat. To sta/ "ithin the protocol, +osh ha# to return to the lab an# expose the remainin' rats before five p.m. That &in# of sche#ule an# the nee# to &eep to it seeme# to represent ever/thin' that separate# +osh from his ol#er brother. 8nce, )#am ha# ha# ever/thin'loo&s, popularit/, athletic pro"ess. 0is hi'h school #a/s at the elite Westfiel# School ha# consiste# of one triumph after anothere#itor of the ne"spaper, soccer team captain, presi#ent of the #ebatin' team, National *erit Scholar. +osh, in contrast, ha# been a ner#. 0e "as chubb/, short, un'ainl/. 0e "al&e# "ith a &in# of "a##le9 he coul#nt help it. The orthope#ic shoes his mother insiste# he "ear #i# not help. !irls #is#aine# him. 0e hear# them 'i''le as he passe# them in the hall"a/s. 0i'h school "as torture for +osh. 0e #i# not #o "ell. )#am "ent to ;ale. +osh barel/ 'ot into Emerson State. 0o" times ha# chan'e#. ) /ear a'o, )#am ha# been fire# from his @ob at Beutsche Ban&. 0is #ru' troubles "ere en#less. *ean"hile, +osh ha# starte# at Bio!en as a lo"l/ assistant, but ha# =uic&l/ move# up as the compan/ be'an to reco'ni1e his har# "or& an# his inventive approach. +osh ha# stoc& in the compan/, an# if an/ of the current pro@ects, inclu#in' the maturit/ 'ene, prove# out commerciall/, then he "oul# be rich. )n# )#amC +osh pulle# up in front of the courthouse. )#am "as sittin' on the steps, starin' fixe#l/ at the 'roun#. 0is ratt/ suit "as strea&e# "ith 'rime an# he ha# a #a/s 'ro"th of bear#. 3harles Silverber' "as stan#in' over him, tal&in' on his cell phone. +osh hon&e# the horn. 3harles "ave#, an# hea#e# off. )#am tru#'e# over an# 'ot in the car. $Than&s, bro.% 0e slamme# the #oor shut. $)ppreciate it.%

$No problem.% +osh pulle# into traffic, 'lancin' at his "atch. 0e ha# enou'h time to ta&e )#am bac& to their mothers house an# 'et bac& to the lab b/ five. $Bi# I interrupt somethin'?% )#am as&e#. That "as the anno/in' thin' about his brother. 0e li&e# to mess up ever/one elses life, too. 0e seeme# to ta&e pleasure in it. $;es, actuall/. ;ou #i#.% $Sorr/.% $Sorr/? If /ou "ere sorr/, /ou# stop #oin' this shit.% $0e/, man,% )#am sai#. $0o" the fuc& "as I suppose# to &no"? It "as entrapment, man. Even 3harles sai# so. The bitch entrappe# me. 3harles sai# he "oul# 'et me off eas/.% $There "oul#nt be an/ entrapment,% +osh sai#, $if /ou "erent usin'.% $8h, 'o fuc& /ourself7 Bont lecture me.% +osh sai# nothin'. Wh/ #i# he even brin' it up? )fter all these /ears, he &ne" nothin' he sai# mattere#. Nothin' ma#e a #ifference. There "as a lon' silence as he #rove. $Im sorr/,% )#am sai#. $;oure not sorr/.% $;eah, /oure ri'ht,% )#am sai#. $;oure ri'ht.% 0e hun' his hea#. 0e si'he# theatricall/. $I fuc&e# up a'ain.% The repentant )#am. +osh ha# seen it #o1ens of times before. The belli'erent )#am, the repentant )#am, the lo'ical )#am, the #en/in' )#am. *ean"hile his brother al"a/s teste# positive. Ever/ time. )n oran'e li'ht came on on the #ashboar#. !as "as lo". 0e sa" a station up ahea#. $I nee# 'as.% $!oo#. I 'ot to ta&e a lea&.% $;ou sta/ in the car.% $I 'ot to ta&e a lea&, man.%

$Sta/ in the fuc&in' car.% +osh pulle# up alon'si#e the pump an# 'ot out. $Sta/ "here I can fuc&in' see /ou.% $I #ont "ant to pee in /our car, manC% $;ou better not.% $But% $+ust hol# it, )#am7% +osh put a cre#it car# in the slot an# starte# pumpin' 'as. 0e 'lance# at his brother throu'h the rear "in#shiel#, then loo&e# bac& at the spinnin' numbers. !as "as so #amn expensive no". 0e probabl/ shoul# bu/ a car that "as cheaper to run. 0e finishe# an# 'ot bac& in the car. 0e 'lance# at )#am. 0is brother ha# a funn/ loo& on his face. There "as a faint o#or in the car. $)#am?% $What.% $What #i# /ou #o?% $Nothin'.% 0e starte# the en'ine. That smellCSomethin' silver cau'ht his e/e. 0e loo&e# at the floor bet"een his brothers feet an# sa" the silver c/lin#er. 0e leane# over, pic&e# up the c/lin#er. It "as li'ht in his han#. $)#amC% $I #i#nt #o an/thin'7% +osh shoo& the c/lin#er. It "as empt/. $I thou'ht it "as nitrous or somethin',% his brother sai#. $;ou asshole.% $Wh/? It #i#nt #o an/thin'.% $Its for a rat, )#am. ;ou @ust inhale# virus for a rat.% )#am slumpe# bac&. $Is that ba#?%

$It aint 'oo#.%

B/ the time +osh pulle# up in front of his mothers house in Beverl/ 0ills, he ha# thou'ht it throu'h an# conclu#e# that there "as no #an'er to )#am. The retrovirus "as a mouse,infective strain, an# "hile it mi'ht also infect human bein's, the #ose ha# been calculate# for an animal "ei'hin' ei'ht hun#re# 'rams. 0is brother "ei'he# a hun#re# times as much. The 'enetic exposure "as subclinical. $So, Im o&a/?% )#am sai#. $;eah.% $Sure?% $;eah.% $Sorr/ about that,% )#am sai#, 'ettin' out of the car. $But than&s for pic&in' me up. See /ou, bro.% $Ill "ait until /ou 'et insi#e,% +osh sai#. 0e "atche# as his brother "al&e# up the #rive an# &noc&e# on the #oor. 0is mother opene# it. )#am steppe# insi#e, an# she shut the #oor. She never even loo&e# at +osh. 0e starte# the en'ine an# #rove a"a/. 3055V )t noon, )lex Burnet left her office in her 3entur/ 3it/ la" firm an# "ent home. She #i#nt have far to 'o9 she live# in an apartment on oxbur/ -ar& "ith her ei'ht,/ear,ol# son, +amie. +amie ha# a col# an# ha# sta/e# home from school. 0er father "as loo&in' after him for her. She foun# her #a# in the &itchen, ma&in' macaroni an# cheese. It "as the onl/ thin' +amie "oul# eat these #a/s. $0o" is he?% she sai#. $:evers #o"n. Still 'ot a runn/ nose an# a cou'h.% $Is he hun'r/?% $0e "asnt earlier. But he as&e# for macaroni.% $Thats a 'oo# si'n,% she sai#. $Shoul# I ta&e over?%

0er father shoo& his hea#. $Ive 'ot it han#le#. ;ou #i#nt have to come home, /ou &no".% $I &no".% She pause#. $The @u#'e issue# his rulin', Ba#.% $When?% $This mornin'.% $)n#?% $We lost.% 0er father continue# to stir. $We lost ever/thin'?% $;es,% she sai#. $We lost on ever/ point. ;ou have no ri'hts to /our o"n tissue. 0e rule# them Amaterial "aste that /ou allo"e# the universit/ to #ispose of for /ou. The court sa/s /ou have no ri'hts to an/ of /our tissue once it has left /our bo#/. The universit/ can #o "hat it "ants "ith it.% $But the/ brou'ht me bac&% $0e sai# a reasonable person "oul# have reali1e# the tissues "ere bein' collecte# for commercial use. Therefore /ou tacitl/ accepte# it.% $But the/ tol# me I "as sic&.% $0e re@ecte# all our ar'uments, Ba#.% $The/ lie# to me.% $I &no", but accor#in' to the @u#'e, 'oo# social polic/ promotes me#ical research. !rantin' /ou ri'hts no" "oul# have a chillin' effect on future research. Thats the thin&in' behin# the rulin' the common 'oo#.% $This "asnt about the common 'oo#. It "as about 'ettin' rich,% her father sai#. $+esus, three billion #ollarsC% $I &no", Ba#. .niversities "ant mone/. )n# basicall/, this @u#'e hel# "hat 3alifornia @u#'es have hel# for the last t"ent/,five /ears, ever since the *oore #ecision in ETG5. +ust li&e /our case, the court foun# that *oores tissues "ere "aste materials to "hich he ha# no ri'ht. )n# the/ havent revisite# that =uestion in more than t"o #eca#es.% $So "hat happens no"?% $We appeal,% she sai#. $I #ont thin& "e have 'oo# 'roun#s, but "e have to #o it before "e can 'o to the 3alifornia Supreme 3ourt.%

$)n# "hen "ill that be?% $) /ear from no".% $Bo "e have a chance?% her father sai#.

$)bsolutel/ not,%)lbert o#ri'ue1 sai#, turnin' in his chair to"ar# her father. o#ri'ue1 an# the other .3() attorne/s ha# come to )lexs la" offices in the aftermath of the @u#'es rulin'. $;ou have no chance on further appeal, *r. Burnet.% $Im surprise#,% )lex sai#, $that /oure so confi#ent about ho" the 3alifornia Supreme 3ourt "ill rule.% $8h, "e have no i#ea ho" the/ "ill rule,% o#ri'ue1 sai#. $I simpl/ mean that /ou "ill lose this case no matter "hat the court hol#s.% $0o" is that?% )lex sai#. $.3() is a state universit/. The Boar# of e'ents is prepare#, on behalf of the state of 3alifornia, to ta&e /our fathers cells b/ ri'ht of eminent #omain.% She blin&e#>$What?% $Shoul# the Supreme 3ourt rule that /our fathers cells are his propert/"hich "e thin& is unli&el/the state "ill ta&e o"nership of his propert/ b/ eminent #omain.% Eminent #omain referre# to the ri'ht of the state to ta&e private propert/ "ithout the o"ners consent. It "as almost al"a/s invo&e# for public uses. $But eminent #omain is inten#e# for schools or hi'h"a/sC% $The state can #o it in this case,% o#ri'ue1 sai#. $)n# it "ill.% 0er father stare# at them, thun#erstruc&. $)re /ou @o&in'?% $No, *r. Burnet. Its a le'itimate ta&in', an# the state "ill exercise its ri'ht.% )lex sai#, $Then "hat is the purpose of this meetin'?% $We thou'ht it appropriate to inform /ou of the situation, in case /ou "ante# to #rop further liti'ation.% $;oure su''estin' "e en# liti'ation?% she sai#.

$I "oul# a#vise it,% o#ri'ue1 sai# to her, $if this "ere m/ client.% $En#in' liti'ation saves the state consi#erable expense.% $It saves ever/one expense,% o#ri'ue1 sai#. $So "hat are /ou proposin' as a settlement, for us to #rop the case?% $Nothin' "hatever, *s. Burnet. Im sorr/ if /ou misun#erstoo# me. This is not a ne'otiation. Were simpl/ here to explain our position, so that /ou can ma&e an informe# #ecision in /our best interest.% 0er father cleare# his throat. $;oure tellin' us that /oure ta&in' m/ cells, no matter "hat. ;ouve sol# them for three billion #ollars, no matter "hat. )n# /oure &eepin' all of that mone/, no matter "hat.% $Bluntl/ put,% o#ri'ue1 sai#, $but not inaccurate.% The meetin' en#e#. o#ri'ue1 an# his team than&e# them for their time, sai# their 'oo#,b/es, an# left the room. )lex no##e# to her father an# then follo"e# the other attorne/s outsi#e. Throu'h the 'lass, :ran& Burnet "atche# as the/ tal&e# further. $Those fuc&ers,% he sai#. $What &in# of "orl# #o "e live in?%

$*/ sentiments exactl/,%sai# a voice from behin# him. Burnet turne#. ) /oun' man "earin' horn,rimme# 'lasses "as sittin' in the far corner of the conference room. Burnet remembere# him9 he ha# come in #urin' the meetin', brin'in' coffee an# mu's, "hich he ha# put on the si#eboar#. Then he ha# sat #o"n in the corner for the rest of the meetin'. Burnet ha# assume# he "as a @unior member of the firm, but no" the /oun' man "as spea&in' "ith confi#ence. $(ets face it, *r. Burnet,% he sai#, $/ouve been scre"e#. It turns out /our cells are ver/ rare an# valuable. The/re efficient manufacturers of c/to&ines, chemicals that fi'ht cancer. Thats the real reason /ou survive# /our #isease. )s a matter of fact, /our cells churn out c/to&ines more efficientl/ than an/ commercial process. Thats "h/ those cells are "orth so much mone/. The .3() #octors #i#nt create an/thin' or invent an/thin'. The/ #i#nt 'eneticall/ mo#if/ an/thin'. The/ @ust too& /our cells, 're" them in a #ish, an# sol# the #ish to Bio!en. )n# /ou, m/ frien#, "ere scre"e# .% $Who are /ou?% Burnet sai#. $)n# /ou have no hope of @ustice,% the /oun' man continue#, $because the courts are totall/ incompetent. The courts #ont reali1e ho" fast thin's are chan'in'. The/ #ont un#erstan# "e

are alrea#/ in a ne" "orl#. The/ #ont 'et the ne" issues. )n# because the/ are technicall/ illiterate, the/ #ont un#erstan# "hat proce#ures are #oneor in this case, not #one. ;our cells "ere stolen an# sol#. -lain an# simple. )n# the court #eci#e# that "as @ust fine.% Burnet 'ave a lon' si'h. $But,% the man continue#, $thieves can still 'et their comeuppance.% $0o"s that?% $Because .3() #i# nothin' to chan'e /our cells, another compan/ coul# ta&e those same cells, ma&e minor 'enetic mo#ifications, an# sell them as a ne" pro#uct.% $But Bio!en alrea#/ has m/ cells.% $True. But cell lines are fra'ile. Thin's happen to them.% $What #o /ou mean?% $3ultures are vulnerable to fun'us, bacterial infection, contamination, mutation. )ll &in#s of thin's can 'o "ron'.% $Bio!en must ta&e precautionsC% $8f course. But sometimes the precautions are ina#e=uate,% the man sai#. $Who are /ou?% Burnet sai# a'ain. 0e "as loo&in' aroun#, throu'h the 'lass "alls of the conference room, at the lar'er office outsi#e. 0e sa" people "al&in' bac& an# forth. 0e "on#ere# "here his #au'hter ha# 'one. $Im nobo#/,% the /oun' man sai#. $;ou never met me.% $;ou have a business car#?% The man shoo& his hea#. $Im not here, *r. Burnet.% Burnet fro"ne#. $)n# m/ #au'hter% $0as no i#ea. Never met her. This is bet"een us.% $But /oure tal&in' about ille'al activit/.% $Im not tal&in' at all, because /ou an# I have never met,% the man sai#. $But lets consi#er ho" this mi'ht "or&.% $8&a/C%

$;ou cant le'all/ sell /our cells at this point, because the court has rule# /ou no lon'er o"n themBio!en #oes. But /our cells coul# be obtaine# from other places. 8ver the course of /our life, /ouve 'iven bloo# man/ times in man/ places. ;ou "ent to Vietnam fort/ /ears a'o. The arm/ too& /our bloo#. ;ou ha# &nee sur'er/ t"ent/ /ears a'o in San Bie'o. The hospital too& /our bloo#, an# &ept /our cartila'e. ;ouve consulte# various #octors over the /ears. The/ ran bloo# tests. The labs &ept the bloo#. So /our bloo# can be foun#, no problem. )n# it can be ac=uire# from publicl/ available #atabasesif, for example, another compan/ "ante# to use /our cells.% $)n# "hat about Bio!en?% The /oun' man shru''e#. $Biotechnolo'/ is a #ifficult business. 3ontaminations happen ever/ #a/. If somethin' 'oes "ron' in their labs, thats not /our problem, is it?% $But ho" coul#% $I have no i#ea. So man/ thin's can happen.% There "as a short silence. $)n# "h/ shoul# I #o this?% Burnet sai#. $;oull 'et a hun#re# million #ollars.% $:or "hat?% $-unch biopsies of six or'an s/stems.% $I thou'ht /ou coul# 'et m/ bloo# else"here.% $In theor/. If it came to liti'ation, that "oul# be claime#. But, in practice, an/ compan/ "oul# "ant fresh cells.% $I #ont &no" "hat to sa/.% $No problem. Thin& it over, *r. Burnet.% The /oun' man stoo#, pushe# his 'lasses up his nose. $;ou ma/ have been scre"e#. But theres no reason to ben# over for it.% :rom Beaumont 3olle'e )lumni Ne"s STE* 3E(( BEB)TE )!ES Effective Treatments $Beca#es )"a/% -rof. *c<eo"n Shoc&s )u#ience B/ *ax Thaler

Spea&in' to a pac&e# au#ience in Beaumont 0all, fame# biolo'/ professor <evin *c<eo"n shoc&e# listeners b/ callin' stem cell research $a cruel frau#.% $What /ou have been tol# is nothin' more than a m/th,% he sai#, $inten#e# to ensure fun#in' for researchers, at the expense of false hopes for the seriousl/ ill. So lets 'et to the truth.% Stem cells, he explaine#, are cells that have the abilit/ to turn themselves into other &in#s of cells. There are t"o &in#s of stem cells. )#ult stem cells are foun# throu'hout the bo#/. The/ are foun# in muscle, brain, an# liver tissue, an# so on. )#ult stem cells can 'enerate ne" cells, but onl/ of the tissue in "hich the/ are foun#. The/ are important because the human bo#/ replaces all its cells ever/ seven /ears. esearch involvin' a#ult stem cells is for the most part not controversial. But there is another &in# of stem cell, the embr/onic stem cell, that is hi'hl/ controversial. It is foun# in umbilical cor# bloo#, or #erive# from /oun' embr/os. Embr/onic stem cells are pluripotent, meanin' the/ can #evelop into an/ &in# of tissue. But the research is controversial because it involves the use of human embr/os, "hich man/ people feel, for reli'ious an# other reasons, have the ri'hts of human bein's. This is an ol# #ebate not li&el/ to be resolve# soon. S3IENTISTS SEE ) B)N 8N ESE) 30 The current )merican a#ministration has sai# that embr/onic stem cells can be ta&en from existin' research lines, but not from ne" embr/os. Scientists re'ar# existin' lines as ina#e=uate, an# thus vie" the rulin' a #e facto ban on research. Thats "h/ the/ are 'oin' to private centers to carr/ out their research, "ithout fe#eral 'rants. But in the en#, the real problem isnt simpl/ a lac& of stem cells. Its the fact that in or#er to pro#uce therapeutic effects, scientists nee# each person to have his or her o"n pluripotent stem cells. This "oul# allo" us to re'ro" an or'an, or to repair #ama'e from in@ur/ or #isease, or to un#o paral/sis. This represents the 'reat #ream. No one is able to perform these therapeutic miracles no". No one even has an in&lin' ho" it mi'ht be #one. But it re=uires the cells. No", for ne"borns, /ou can collect umbilical cor# bloo# an# free1e it, an# people are #oin' that "ith their ne"borns. But "hat about a#ults? Where "ill "e 'et pluripotent stem cells? Thats the bi' =uestion. T8W) B T0E T0E )-E.TI3 B E)* )ll "e a#ults have left is a#ult stem cells, "hich can ma&e onl/ one &in# of tissue. But "hat if there "ere a "a/ to convert a#ult stem cells bac& into embr/onic stem cells? Such a proce#ure "oul# enable ever/ a#ult to have a rea#/ source of his or her o"n embr/onic stem cells. That "oul# ma&e the therapeutic #ream possible. Well, it turns out that /oucan reverse a#ult stem cells, but onl/ if /ou insert them into an e''. Somethin' "ithin the e'' un"in#s the #ifferentiation an# converts the a#ult stem cell bac& into

an embr/onic stem cell. This is 'oo# ne"s, but it is vastl/ more #ifficult to #o "ith human cells. )n# if the metho# coul# be ma#e to "or& in human bein's, it "oul# re=uire an enormous suppl/ of human e'' cells. That ma&es the proce#ure controversial a'ain. So scientists are loo&in' for other "a/s to ma&e a#ult cells pluripotent. It is a "orl#"i#e effort. ) researcher in Shan'hai has been in@ectin' human stem cells into chic&en e''s, "ith mixe# results"hile others cluc& in #isapproval. Its not clear no" "hether such proce#ures "ill "or&. Its e=uall/ unclear "hether the stem cell #reamtransplants "ithout re@ection, spinal cor# in@uries repaire#, an# so on"ill come true. )#vocates have ma#e #ishonest claims, an# me#ia speculation has been fantastical for /ears. -eople "ith serious illnesses have been le# to believe a cure is @ust aroun# the corner. Sa#l/, this is not true. Wor&in' therapeutic approaches lie man/ /ears in the future, perhaps #eca#es. *an/ thou'htful scientists have sai#, in private, that "e "ont &no" "hether stem cell therap/ "ill "or& until 45M5. The/ point out that it too& fort/ /ears from the time Watson an# 3ric& #eco#e# the 'ene until human 'ene therap/ be'an. ) S3)NB)( S083<S T0E W8 (B It "as in the context of feverish hope an# h/pe that <orean biochemist 0"an' Woo,Su& announce# in 455F that he ha# successfull/ create# a human embr/onic stem cell from an a#ult cell b/ somatic nuclear transferin@ection into a human e''. 0"an' "as a famous "or&aholic, spen#in' ei'hteen hours a #a/, seven #a/s a "ee&, in the lab. 0"an's excitin' report "as publishe# in *arch 455M inScience ma'a1ine. esearchers from aroun# the "orl# floc&e# to <orea. 0uman stem cell treatment seeme# su##enl/ on the ver'e of realit/. 0"an' "as a hero in <orea, an# appointe# to hea# a ne" Worl# Stem 3ell 0ub, finance# b/ the <orean 'overnment. But in November 455M, an )merican collaborator in -ittsbur'h announce# that he "as en#in' his association "ith 0"an'. )n# then one of 0"an's co,"or&ers reveale# that 0"an' ha# obtaine# e''s ille'all/, from "omen "ho "or&e# in his lab. B/ Becember 455M, Seoul National .niversit/ announce# that 0"an's cell lines "ere a fabrication, as "ere his papers in Science. Science retracte# the papers. 0"an' no" faces criminal char'es. There the matter stan#s. -E I(S 8: $*EBI) 0;-E% $What lessons can be #ra"n from this?% as&e# -rofessor *c<eo"n. $:irst, in a me#ia,saturate# "orl#, persistent h/pe len#s un"arrante# cre#ulit/ to the "il#est claims. :or /ears the me#ia have toute# stem cell research as the comin' miracle. So "hen somebo#/ announce# that the miracle ha# arrive#, he "as believe#. Boes that impl/ there is a #an'er in me#ia h/pe? ;ou bet. Because not onl/ #oes it raise cruel hopes amon' the ill, it affects scientists, too. The/ start to believe the miracle is aroun# the cornereven thou'h the/ shoul# &no" better. $What can "e #o about me#ia h/pe? It "oul# stop in a "ee&, if scientific institutions "ante# that. The/ #ont. The/ love the h/pe. The/ &no" it brin's 'rants. So that "ont chan'e. ;ale, Stanfor#, an# +ohns 0op&ins promote h/pe @ust as much as Exxon or :or#. So #o in#ivi#ual

researchers at those institutions. )n# increasin'l/, researchers an# universities are all commerciall/ motivate#, @ust li&e corporations. So "henever /ou hear a scientist claim that his statements have been exa''erate#, or ta&en out of context, @ust as& him if he has "ritten a letter of protest to the e#itor. Ninet/,nine times out of a hun#re#, he hasnt. $Next lesson> -eer revie". )ll of 0"an's papers in Science "ere peer,revie"e#. If "e ever nee#e# evi#ence that peer revie" is an empt/ ritual, this episo#e provi#es it. 0"an' ma#e extraor#inar/ claims. 0e #i# not provi#e extraor#inar/ evi#ence. *an/ stu#ies have sho"n that peer revie" #oes not improve the =ualit/ of scientific papers. Scientists themselves &no" it #oesnt "or&. ;et the public still re'ar#s it as a si'n of =ualit/, an# sa/s, AThis paper "as peer, revie"e#, or AThis paper "as not peer,revie"e#, as if that meant somethin'. It #oesnt. $Next, the @ournals themselves. Where "as the firm han# of the e#itor of Science ? emember that the @ournal Science is a bi' enterpriseEEM people "or& on that ma'a1ine. ;et 'ross frau#, inclu#in' photo'raphs altere# "ith )#obe -hotoshop, "ere not #etecte#. )n# -hotoshop is "i#el/ &no"n as a ma@or tool of scientific frau#. ;et the ma'a1ine ha# no "a/ to #etect it. $Not that Science is uni=ue in bein' foole#. :rau#ulent research has been publishe# in the Ne" En'lan# +ournal of *e#icine, "here authors "ithhel# critical information about Vioxx heart attac&s9 in the (ancet, "here a report about #ru's an# oral cancer "as entirel/ fabricate#in that one, 4M5 people in the patient #atabase ha# the same birth #ate7 That mi'ht have been a clue. *e#ical frau# is more than a scan#al, its a public health threat. ;et it continues.% T0E 38ST 8: : ).B $The cost of such frau# is enormous,% *c<eo"n sai#, $estimate# at thirt/ billion #ollars annuall/, probabl/ three times that. :rau# in science is not rare, an# its not limite# to frin'e pla/ers. The most respecte# researchers an# institutions have been cau'ht "ith fa&e# #ata. Even :rancis 3ollins, the hea# of NI0s 0uman !enome -ro@ect, "as liste# as co,author on five fa&e# papers that ha# to be "ith#ra"n. $The ultimate lesson is that science isnt specialat least not an/more. *a/be bac& "hen Einstein tal&e# to Niels Bohr, an# there "ere onl/ a fe" #o1en important "or&ers in ever/ fiel#. But there are no" three million researchers in )merica. Its no lon'er a callin', its a career. Science is as corruptible a human activit/ as an/ other. Its practitioners arent saints, the/re human bein's, an# the/ #o "hat human bein's #olie, cheat, steal from one another, sue, hi#e #ata, fa&e #ata, overstate their o"n importance, an# #eni'rate opposin' vie"s unfairl/. Thats human nature. It isnt 'oin' to chan'e.% 3055G In the Bio!enanimal lab, Tom Weller "as 'oin' #o"n the line of ca'es "ith +osh Win&ler, "ho "as #ispensin' #oses of 'ene,lace# virus to the rats. It "as their #ail/ routine. Toms cell phone ran'. +osh 'ave him a loo&. +osh "as his senior. +osh coul# ta&e calls at "or&, but Tom coul#nt.

Weller strippe# off one rubber 'love an# pulle# the phone from his poc&et. $0ello?% $Tom.% It "as his mother. $0i, *om. Im at "or& no".% +osh 'ave him another loo&. $3an I call /ou bac&?% $;our #a# ha# a car acci#ent last ni'ht,% she sai#. $)n#Che #ie#.% $What?%0e felt su##enl/ #i11/. Tom leane# a'ainst the rat ca'es, too& a shallo" breath. No" +osh "as 'ivin' him a concerne# loo&. $What happene#?% $0is car hit an overpass aroun# mi#ni'ht,% his mother sai#. $The/ too& him to (on' Beach *emorial 0ospital, but he #ie# earl/ this mornin'.% $8h !o#. )re /ou at home?% Tom sai#. $;ou "ant me to come over? Boes achel &no"?% $I @ust 'ot off the phone.% $8&a/, Ill come over,% he sai#. $Tom, I hate to as& /ou this,% she sai#, $butC% $;ou "ant me to tell (isa?% $Im sorr/. I cant seem to reach her.% (isa "as the blac& sheep of the famil/. The /oun'est chil#, @ust turne# t"ent/. (isa ha#nt tal&e# to her mother in /ears. $Bo /ou &no" "here she is these #a/s, Tom?% $I thin& so,% he sai#. $She calle# a fe" "ee&s a'o.% $To as& for mone/?% $No, @ust to 'ive me her a##ress. Shes in Torrance.% $I cant reach her,% his mother sai#. $Ill 'o,% he sai#. $Tell her the funeral is Thurs#a/, if she "ants to come.%

$Ill tell her.% 0e flippe# the phone shut an# turne# to +osh. +osh "as loo&in' concerne# an# s/mpathetic. $What "as it?% $*/ father #ie#.% $Im reall/ sorr/C% $3ar crash, last ni'ht. I nee# to 'o tell m/ sister.% $;ou have to leave no"?% $Ill stop b/ the office on m/ "a/ out an# sen# San#/ in.% $San#/ cant #o this. 0e #oesnt &no" the routine% $+osh,% he sai#, $I have to 'o.%

Traffic "as heav/ on the F5M. It too& almost an hour before he foun# himself in front of a ratt/ apartment buil#in' on South )cre in Torrance, pushin' the bu11er for apartment KG. The buil#in' stoo# close to the free"a/9 the roar of traffic "as constant. 0e &ne" (isa "or&e# ni'hts, but it "as no" ten ocloc& in the mornin'. She mi'ht be a"a&e. Sure enou'h, the bu11er soun#e#, an# he opene# the #oor. The lobb/ smelle# stron'l/ of cat piss. The elevator #i#nt "or&, so he too& the stairs to the thir# floor, steppin' aroun# plastic sac&s of 'arba'e. ) #o' ha# bro&en one sac& open, an# the contents spille# #o"n a couple of steps. 0e stoppe# in front of apartment KG, pushe# the #oorbell. $+ust a fuc&in' minute,% his sister calle#. 0e "aite#. Eventuall/, she opene# the #oor. She "as "earin' a bathrobe. 0er short blac& hair "as pulle# bac&. She loo&e# upset. $The bitch calle#,% she sai#. $*om?% $She "o&e me up, the bitch.% She turne#, "ent bac& into the apartment. 0e follo"e# her. $I thou'ht /ou "ere the li=uor #eliver/.% The apartment "as a mess. (isa pa##e# into the &itchen, an# po&e# aroun# the pans an# #ishes stac&e# in the sin&, foun# a coffee cup. She rinse# it out. $;ou "ant coffee?% 0e shoo& his hea#. $Shit, (ise,% he sai#. $This place is a pi'st/.%

$I "or& ni'hts, /ou &no" that.% She ha# never care# about her surroun#in's. Even as a chil#, her room "as al"a/s a mess. She @ust #i#nt seem to notice. No" Tom loo&e# throu'h the 'reas/ #rapes of the &itchen "in#o" at the traffic cra"lin' past on the F5M. $So. 0o"s "or& 'oin'?% $Its 0ouse of -anca&es. 0o" #o /ou thin& its 'oin'? Same ever/ fuc&in' ni'ht.% $What #i# *om sa/?% $She "ante# to &no" if I "as comin' to the funeral.% $What# /ou sa/?% $I tol# her to fuc& off. Wh/ shoul# I 'o? 0e "asnt m/ father.% Tom si'he#. This "as a lon',stan#in' ar'ument "ithin the famil/. (isa believe# she "as not +ohn Wellers #au'hter. $;ou #ont thin& so, either,% she sai# to Tom. $;eah, I #o.% $;ou @ust sa/ "hatever *om "ants /ou to sa/.% She fishe# out a ci'arette butt from a heapin' ashtra/, an# bent over the stove to li'ht it from the burner. $Was he #run& "hen he crashe#?% $I #ont &no".% $I bet he "as shitface#. 8r on those steroi#s he use#, for his bo#/buil#in'.% Toms father ha# been a bo#/buil#er. 0e too& it up later in life, an# even compete# in amateur contests. $Ba# #i#nt use steroi#s.% $8h sure, Tom. I use# to loo& in his bathroom. 0e ha# nee#les.% $8&a/, so /ou #i#nt li&e him.% $It #oesnt matter an/more,% she sai#. $0e "asnt m/ father. I #ont care about an/ of it.% $*om al"a/s sai# that he "as /our father, that /ou "ere @ust sa/in' it, because /ou #i#nt li&e him.% $Well, 'uess "hat? We can settle it, once an# for all.% $0o" #o /ou mean?% $I mean, a paternit/ test.%

$(isa,% he sai#. $Bont start this.% $Im not startin'. Im finishin'.% $Bont. -romise me /ou "ont #o this. 3ome on. Ba#s #ea#, *oms upset, promise me.% $;ou are a chic&enshit puss/, /ou &no" that?% That "as "hen he sa" she "as near tears. 0e put his arms aroun# her, an# she be'an to cr/. 0e @ust hel# her, feelin' her bo#/ sha&e. $Im sorr/,% she sai#. $Im so sorr/.%

)fter her brother ha# 'one, she heate# a cup of coffee in the micro"ave, then sat #o"n at the &itchenette table b/ the phone. She #iale# Information. She 'ot the number for the hospital. ) moment later, she hear# the receptionist sa/, $(on' Beach *emorial.% $I "ant to tal& to the mor'ue,% she sai#. $Im sorr/. The mor'ue is at the 3ount/ 3oroners 8ffice. Woul# /ou li&e that number?% $Someone in m/ famil/ @ust #ie# at /our hospital. Where "oul# his bo#/ be no"?% $8ne moment please, I "ill connect /ou to patholo'/.%

:our #a/s later, her mother calle# bac&. $What the hell #o /ou thin& /oure #oin'?% $What #o /ou mean?% $I mean, 'oin' #o"n to the hospital an# as&in' for bloo# from /our father.% $0es not m/ father.% $(isa. Bont /ou ever 'et tire# of this 'ame?% $No, an# hes not m/ father, because the 'enetic tests came bac& ne'ative. It sa/s ri'ht here% she reache# for the printe# sheet$that there is less than one chance in 4.T million that +ohn +. Weller is m/ father.% $What 'enetic test?% $I ha# a 'enetic test #one.%

$;oure so full of shit.% $No, *om. ;oure the one "hos full of shit. +ohn Wellers not m/ father, an# the test proves it.I al"a/s &ne" it. % $Well see about that,% her mother sai#, an# hun' up.

)bout half an hour after that, her brother, Tom, calle#. $0e/, (ise.% eal casual, lai#,bac&. $+ust 'ot a call from *om.% $;eah?% $She sai# somethin' about a test?% $;eah. I #i# a test, Tomm/. )n# 'uess "hat?% $I hear#. Who #i# this test, (ise?% $) lab here in (on' Beach.% $Whats it calle#?% $Bio a# Testin'.% $.h,huh,% her brother sai#. $;ou &no", these labs that a#vertise on the Internet arent ver/ reliable. ;ou &no" that, #ont /ou?% $The/ 'uarantee# it.% $*oms all upset.% $Too ba#,% she sai#. $;ou &no" shell #o her o"n test no"? )n# theres 'oin' to be la"suits? Because /oure accusin' her of infi#elit/.% $!ee, Tomm/, I #ont reall/ 'ive a #amn. ;ou &no" that?% $(ise, I thin& this is causin' a lot of nee#less trouble aroun# Ba#s #eath.% $;our #a#,% she sai#.$Not mine.% 3055T

<evin *c3ormic&, chief a#ministrator of (on' Beach *emorial, loo&e# up at the chubb/ fi'ure comin' into his office, an# sai#, $0o" the hell #i# this happen?% 0e pushe# a sheaf of papers across his #es&. *art/ oberts, the chief of patholo'/, 'lance# =uic&l/ throu'h the #ocument. $I have no i#ea,% he sai#. $The "ife of the #ecease#, *r. +ohn +. Weller, is suin' us for unauthori1e# release of tissue to the #au'hter.% $Whats the le'al situation?% *art/ oberts sai#. $.nclear,% *c3ormic& sai#. $(e'al sa/s the #au'hter is a famil/ member an# has a clear ri'ht to be 'iven tissues to test for #iseases that ma/ affect her. -roblem is, she #i# a paternit/ test an# it came bac& ne'ative. So shes not his #au'hter. )r'uabl/ that ma&es our release of tissues unauthori1e#.% $We coul#nt have &no"n that at the time% $8f course not. But "ere tal&in' about the la". The onl/ important =uestion is, can the famil/ sue? The ans"er is /es, the/ have 'roun#s to brin' a suit, an# the/ are.% $Wheres the bo#/ no"?% *art/ sai#. $Burie#. Ei'ht #a/s a'o.% $I see.% *art/ flippe# throu'h the pa'es. $)n# the/ are as&in' forC% $Besi#es unspecifie# #ama'es, the/re as&in' for bloo# an# tissue samples to con#uct further testin',% *c3ormic& sai#. $Bo "e have bloo# or tissue samples from the #ecease#?% $I# have to chec&,% *art/ sai#. $But I# presume that "e #o, /es.% $We #o?% $Sure. We &eep a lot of tissue these #a/s, <evin. I mean, ever/bo#/ that comes into the hospital, "e collect as much as "e possibl/ can le'all/C% $Thats the "ron' ans"er,% *c3ormic& sai#, 'lo"erin'. $8&a/. Whats the ri'ht ans"er?% $That "e #ont have an/ tissues from this 'u/.% $But the/ll &no" that "e #o. )t the ver/ least, "e #i# a tox screen on the 'u/ because of the

acci#ent, so "e have his bloo#% $That sample "as lost.% $8&a/. It "as lost. But "hat 'oo# #oes that #o? The/ can al"a/s #i' up the bo#/ an# 'et all the tissues the/ "ant.% $3orrect.% $So?% $So let them #o that. Thats (e'als a#vice. Exhumation ta&es time, permits, an# mone/. Were 'uessin' the/ "ont have the time or the mone/an# this thin' "ill 'o a"a/.% $8&a/,% *art/ sai#. $)n# I am here because?% $Because I nee# /ou to 'o bac& to patholo'/ an# confirm for me that, unfortunatel/, "e have no more samples from the #ecease#, an# that ever/thin' not 'iven to the #au'hter has been lost or misplace#.% $!ot it.% $3all me "ithin the hour,% *c3ormic& sai#, an# turne# a"a/.

*art/ oberts entere# the basement patholo'/ lab. 0is #iener, a1a asha#, a han#some, #ar&, e/e# man of t"ent/,seven, "as scrubbin' the stainless steel tables for the next post. If truth be tol#, a1a reall/ ran the path lab. *art/ felt himself bur#ene# b/ a heav/ a#ministrative loa#, mana'in' the senior patholo'ists, the resi#ents, the me#ical stu#ent rotations, an# all the rest. 0e# come to rel/ on a1a, "ho "as hi'hl/ intelli'ent an# ambitious. $0e/, a1a. ;ou remember that fort/,six,/ear,ol# "hite 'u/ "ith crush in@uries, a "ee& bac&? Brove himself into an overpass?% $;eah. I remember. 0eller, or Weller.% $The #au'hter as&e# for bloo#?% $;eah. We 'ave her bloo#.% $Well, she ran a paternit/ test, an# it came bac& ne'ative. !u/ "as not her father.% a1a stare# blan&l/. $That ri'ht?% $;eah. No" the mothers all upset. Wants more tissues. Whatve "e 'ot?%

$I# have to chec&. -robabl/ the usual. )ll ma@or or'ans.% *art/ sai#, $)n/ chance that material 'ot misplace#? So "e coul#nt fin# it?% a1a no##e# slo"l/, starin' at *art/. $*a/be so. )l"a/s possible it coul# be mislabele#. Then it "oul# be har# to fin#.% $*i'ht ta&e months?% $8r /ears. *a/be never.% $That# be a shame,% *art/ sai#. $No", "hat about the bloo# from the tox screen?% a1a fro"ne#. $(ab &eeps that. We "oul#nt have access to their stora'e facilit/.% $So the/ still have that bloo# sample?% $;eah. The/ #o.% $)n# "e have no access?% a1a smile#. $It mi'ht ta&e me a couple of #a/s.% $8&a/. Bo it.% *art/ oberts "ent to the phone an# #iale# the a#ministrators office. When *c3ormic& came on the line, he sai#, $I have some ba# ne"s, <evin. .nfortunatel/, all the tissues have been lost or misplace#.% $Sorr/ to hear that,% *c3ormic& sai#, an# hun' up. $*art/,% a1a sai#, comin' into the office, $is there a problem "ith this Weller 'u/?% $No,% *art/ sai#. $Not an/more. )n# I tol# /ou before#ont call me *art/. */ name is Br. oberts.% 305E5 )t the a#ial !enomics lab in (a +olla, 3harlie 0u''ins t"iste# his flat,panel screen aroun# to sho" 0enr/ <en#all the hea#line> T)(<IN! )-E 3()I*EB : ).B . $What# I tell /ou?% 3harlie sai#. $) "ee& later, an# "e learn the stor/s a fa&e.% $8&a/, o&a/. I "as "ron',% 0enr/ sai#. $I a#mit it, I "as "orrie# about nothin'.% $Ver/ "orrie#C%

$Its in the past. 3an "e tal& about somethin' important?% $Whats that?% $The novelt/,see&in' 'ene. 8ur 'rant application "as #enie#.% 0e be'an t/pin' at the &e/boar#. $8nce a'ain, "eve been scre"e#b/ /our personal favorite, the -ope of Bopamine, Br. obert ). Bellarmino of the NI0.%

:or the last ten /ears, brain stu#ies ha# increasin'l/ focuse# on a neurochemical calle# #opamine. (evels of #opamine seeme# to be important in maintainin' health as "ell as in #iseases such as -ar&insonism an# schi1ophrenia. :rom "or& in 3harlie 0u''inss lab, it appeare# that #opamine receptors in the brain "ere controlle# b/ the 'eneB FB , amon' others. 3harlies lab stoo# at the forefront of this research, until a rival scientist name# obert Bellarmino from the National Institutes of 0ealth be'an referrin' toB FB as the $novelt/ 'ene,% the 'ene that suppose#l/ controlle# the ur'e to ta&e ris&s, see& ne" sex partners, or en'a'e in thrill,see&in' behavior. )s Bellarmino explaine# it, the fact that #opamine levels "ere hi'her in men than "omen "as the reason for the 'reater rec&lessness of men, an# their attraction to ever/thin' from mountain climbin' to infi#elit/. Bellarmino "as an evan'elical 3hristian an# a lea#in' researcher at the NI0. -oliticall/ s&ille#, he "as the ver/ mo#el of an up,to,#ate scientist, neatl/ blen#in' a mo#est scientific talent "ith true me#ia savv/. 0is laborator/ "as the first to hire its o"n publicit/ firm, an# as a result, his i#eas invariabl/ 'ot plent/ of press covera'e. HWhich in turn attracte# the bri'htest an# most ambitious post#ocs, "ho #i# brilliant "or& for him, thus a##in' to his presti'e.I In the case of B FB , Bellarmino "as able to tailor his comments to the beliefs of his au#ience, either spea&in' enthusiasticall/ about the ne" 'ene to pro'ressive 'roups, or #ispara'in' it to conservatives. 0e "as colorful, future,oriente#, an# uninhibite# in his pre#ictions. 0e "ent so far as to su''est that there mi'ht one #a/ be a vaccine to prevent infi#elit/. The absur#it/ of such comments so anno/e# 3harlie an# 0enr/ that six months before, the/ ha# applie# for a 'rant to test the prevalence of the $novelt/ 'ene.% Their proposal "as simplicit/ itself. The/ "oul# sen# research teams to amusement par&s to #ra" bloo# samples from in#ivi#uals "ho ro#e roller coasters time an# a'ain #urin' the #a/. In theor/ these $repeat coasters% "oul# be more li&el/ to carr/ the 'ene. The onl/ problem "ith appl/in' to the NS: "as that their proposal "oul# be rea# b/ anon/mous revie"ers. )n# one of the revie"ers "as li&el/ to be obert Bellarmino. )n# Bellarmino ha# a reputation for "hat "as politel/ terme# $appropriation.%

$)n/"a/,% 0enr/ sai#, $the NS: turne# us #o"n. The revie"ers #i#nt thin& our i#ea "as "orth/. 8ne sai# it "as too A@o&e/.% $.h,huh,% 3harlie sai#. $What #oes this have to #o "ith obbin ob?% $ emember "here "e propose# to con#uct our stu#/?% $8f course,% 3harlie sai#. $)t t"o of the bi''est amusement par&s in the "orl#, in t"o #ifferent countries. San#us&/ in the ..S., an# Blac&pool in En'lan#.% $Well, 'uess "hos out of to"n?% 0enr/ sai#. 0e hit his e,mail button. :rom> ob Bellarmino, NI0 Sub@ect> 8ut of 8ffice )uto epl/> Travel I "ill be out of the office for the next t"o "ee&s. If /ou nee# imme#iate assistance please contact m/ office b/ phoneC $I calle# his office, an# 'uess "hat? Bellarmino is 'oin' to San#us&/, 8hioan# then to Blac&pool, En'lan#.% $That bastar#,% 3harlie sai#. $If /oure 'oin' to steal somebo#/ elses research proposal, /ou shoul# at least have the courtes/ to chan'e it a little.% $Bellarmino obviousl/ #oesnt care if "e &no" he stole it,% 0enr/ sai#. $Boesnt that piss /ou off? What #o /ou sa/ "e 'o for it? -ut him up for ethical violations?% $I# li&e nothin' better,% 3harlie sai#, $but, no. If "e formall/ char'e miscon#uct, it means a lot of time an# a lot of paper"or&. 8ur 'rants coul# #r/ up. )n# in the en#, the complaint 'oes no"here. obs a ma@or pla/er at NI0. 0es 'ot hu'e research facilities an# he #ispenses millions in 'rants. 0e hol#s pra/er brea&fasts "ith con'ressmen. 0es a scientist "ho believes in !o#. The/ love him on the 0ill. 0e# never be char'e# "ith miscon#uct. Even if "e cau'ht him bu''erin' a lab assistant, he "oul#nt be char'e#.% $So "e @ust let him #o it?% $Its not a perfect "orl#,% 3harlie sai#. $We have plent/ to #o. Wal& a"a/.% 305EE Barr/ Sin#ler"as bore#. The "oman before him /ammere# on. She "as an obvious t/pethe rich,bitch Eastern broa# "ho "ore pants, <atharine 0epburn "ith an attitu#e, a trust fun#, a nasal Ne"port accent. But #espite her aristocratic airs, the best she coul# mana'e "as to hump

the tennis pro, @ust li&e ever/ (.). fa&e,tit #im"it in this to"n. But she "as perfectl/ suite# to the #umb,ass attorne/ b/ her si#ethat Iv/ (ea'ue @ac&off Bob Wilson, "earin' a pinstripe suit an# a button,#o"n shirt "ith a rep tie an# those stupi# lace,up "in'tips "ith the little perforations in the toes. No "on#er ever/one calle# him White/ Wilson. Wilson never tire# of remin#in' ever/one he "as a 0arvar#,traine# la"/eras if an/bo#/ 'ave a shit. 3ertainl/ Barr/ Sin#ler #i#nt. Because he &ne" Wilson "as a 'entleman. Which reall/ meant he "as chic&enshit. 0e "oul#nt 'o for the throat. )n# Sin#ler al"a/s "ent for the throat. The "oman, <aren Biehl, "as still tal&in'. +esus, these rich bitches coul# tal&. Sin#ler #i#nt interrupt her because he #i#nt "ant White/ to state on the recor# that Sin#ler "as ba#'erin' the "oman. Wilson ha# sai# that four times alrea#/. So, fine. (et the bitch tal&. (et her tell in full, exhaustin', incre#ibl/ stupef/in'l/ borin' #etail "h/ her husban# "as a lous/ father an# a total shit heel. Because the truth "as,she "as the one "ho# ha# the affair. Not that that coul# ever come out in court. 3alifornia ha# no,fault #ivorce, "hich meant there "ere no specific 'roun#s for #ivorce, @ust $irreconcilable #ifferences.% But a "omans infi#elit/ al"a/s colore# the procee#in's. Because in s&ille# han#sBarr/s han#sthat fact coul# easil/ be turne# into the insinuation that this "oman ha# more important priorities than her #arlin' chil#ren. She "as a ne'lectful parent, an unreliable custo#ian, a selfish "oman "ho sou'ht her o"n pleasure "hile she left the &i#s all #a/ "ith the Spanish,spea&in' mai#. )n# she "as 'oo#,loo&in' at t"ent/,ei'ht, he thou'ht. That "or&e# a'ainst her, too. In#ee#, Barr/ Sin#ler coul# see his central theme shapin' up =uite nicel/. )n# White/ Wilson loo&e# a bit anxious. 0e probabl/ &ne" "here Sin#ler "oul# ta&e this. 8r ma/be White/ "as trouble# b/ the fact that Sin#ler "as atten#in' the #epo at all. Because or#inaril/ Barr/ Sin#ler #i#nt con#uct spousal #epos. 0e left those to the @er&off peons in his office, "hile he spent his #a/s #o"nto"n, rac&in' up expensive courtroom hours. :inall/, the "oman stoppe# to catch her breath. Sin#ler move# in. $*rs. Biehl, I "oul# li&e to hol# this line of =uestionin' an# 'o on to another issue. We are formall/ re=uestin' that /ou un#er'o a full batter/ of 'enetic tests at a reputable facilit/, preferabl/ .3(), an#% The "oman sat bolt upri'ht. 0er face colore# s"iftl/. $No7% $(ets not be hast/,% White/ sai#, puttin' his han# on his clients arm. She an'ril/ pushe# him a"a/. $No7 )bsolutel/ not7 I refuse7% 0o" "on#erful. 0o" unexpecte# an# "on#erful. $In anticipation of /our possible refusal,% Sin#ler continue#, $"e have #rafte# a re=uest that the

court or#er these tests%he passe# a #ocument to White/$an# "e full/ expect the @u#'e to a'ree.% $Ive never hear# of such a thin',% White/ sai#, thumbin' throu'h the pa'es. $!enetic testin' in a custo#/ caseC% B/ no" *rs. Biehl "as full,bore h/sterical. $No7 No7 I "ill not7 Its his i#ea, isnt it? That pric&7 0o" #are he7 That snea&in' son of a bitch7% White/ "as loo&in' at his client "ith a pu11le# expression. $*rs. Biehl,% he sai#, $I thin& its best if "e #iscuss this in private% $No7 No #iscussion7 No test7 Thats it7 No7% $In that case,% Sin#ler sai#, "ith a little shru', $"e have no choice but to 'o to the @u#'eC% $:uc& /ou7 :uc& him7 :uc& all of /ou7 No fuc&in' test7 % )n# she stoo# up, 'rabbe# her purse, an# stompe# out of the room, slammin' the #oor behin# her. There "as a moment of silence. Sin#ler sai#, $(et the recor# sho" that at three fort/,five p.m. the "itness left the room, thus en#in' the #eposition.% 0e be'an to put his papers into his briefcase. White/ Wilson sai#, $Ive never hear# of this, Barr/. Whats 'enetic testin' 'ot to #o "ith chil# custo#/?% $Thats "hat the tests are inten#e# to fin# out,% Sin#ler sai#. $This is a ne" proce#ure, but I thin& /oull fin# its the comin' thin'.% 0e snappe# his briefcase shut, shoo& White/s limp han#, an# left the office. 305E4 +osh Win&ler close# the #oor to his office an# starte# to"ar# the cafeteria "hen his phone ran'. It "as his mother. She "as bein' pleasant, al"a/s a #an'er si'n. $+osh, #ear, I "ant /ou to tell me, "hat have /ou #one to /our brother?% $What #o /ou mean, #one to him? I havent #one an/thin'. I havent seen him in t"o "ee&s, since I pic&e# him up from @ail.% $)#am ha# his arrai'nment to#a/,% she sai#. $)n# 3harles "as there, representin' him.% $.h,huhC% Waitin' for the other shoe to #rop. $)n#?%

$)#am came to court on time, in a clean shirt an# tie, clean suit, hair cut, even his shoes polishe#. 0e plea#e# 'uilt/, as&e# to be put in a #ru' pro'ram, sai# he ha# not use# in t"o "ee&s, sai# he ha# 'otten a @ob% $What?% $;es, hes 'ot a @ob, apparentl/ as a limo #river for his ol# compan/. Been "or&in' there stea#il/ for the last t"o "ee&s. 3harles sa/s hes 'aine# "ei'ht% $I #ont believe this,% +osh sai#. $I &no",% she sai#. $3harles #i#nt either, but he s"ears its all true. )#ams li&e a ne" man. 0es ac=uire# a ne"foun# maturit/. Its li&e he su##enl/ 're" up. Its a miracle, #ont /ou thin&? +oshua? )re /ou there?% $Im here,% he sai#, after a pause. $Isnt it a miracle?% $;es, *om. ) miracle.% $I calle# )#am. 0e has a cell phone no", an# he ans"ere# ri'ht a"a/. )n# he sa/s /ou #i# somethin' to help him. What #i# /ou #o?% $Nothin', *om. We @ust ha# a tal&.% $0e sai# /ou 'ave him some 'enetic thin'. )n inhaler.% 8h +esus, he thou'ht. There are rules a'ainst this &in# of thin' .Serious rules . 0uman experimentation "ithout formal application, meetin's of the approvals boar#, follo"in' the fe#eral 'ui#elines. +osh "oul# be fire# in an instant. $No, *om, I thin& he must be misrememberin'. 0e "as prett/ "hac&e# out at the time.% $0e sai# there "as a spra/.% $No, *om.% $0e inhale# some mouse spra/.% $No, *om.% $0e sai# he #i#.% $No, *om.% $Well, #ont be so #efensive,% she sai#. $I thou'ht /ou "oul# be please#. I mean, /oure al"a/s

loo&in' for ne" #ru's, +oshua. Bi' commercial applications. I mean, "hat if this spra/ 'ets people off #ru's? What if it brea&s their a##iction?% +oshua "as sha&in' his hea#. $*om, reall/, nothin' happene#.% $8&a/, fine, /ou #ont "ant to tell me the truth, I 'et it. Was it somethin' experimental? Is that "hat /our spra/ is?% $*om% $Because the thin' is, +osh, I tol# (ois !raham about it because her Eric #roppe# out of .S3. 0es on crac& or smac& or% $*om% $)n# she "ants to tr/ this spra/ on him.% 8h +esus. $*om, /ou cant tal& about this.% $)n# 0elen Stern, her #au'hter is on sleepin' pills9 she crashe# her car9 the/re tal&in' about puttin' her bab/ in foster care. )n# 0elen "ants% $*om, please7 ;ou cant tal& about it an/more 7% $)re /ou cra1/? I have to tal& about it,% she sai#. $;ou 'ave me m/ son bac&. Its a miracle. Bont /ou reali1e, +oshua? ;ou have performe# a miracle. The "hole "orl# is 'oin' to tal& about "hat /ou have #one"hether /ou li&e it or not.% 0e "as be'innin' to s"eat, to feel #i11/, but su##enl/ his vision became clear an# calm. The "hole "orl# is 'oin' to tal& about it. 8f course, that "as true. If /ou coul# 'et people off #ru's? It "oul# be the most valuable pharmaceutical in the last #eca#e. Ever/bo#/ "oul# "ant it. )n# "hat if it #i# more? 3oul# it cure obsessive,compulsive #isor#ers? 3oul# it cure attention,#eficit #isor#ers? The maturit/ 'ene ha# behavioral effects. The/ alrea#/ &ne" that. )#am sniffin' that aerosol "as a 'ift from !o#. )n# his next thou'ht "as> Whats the state of the patent application on )3*-B KNV? 0e #eci#e# to s&ip lunch an# hea# bac& to the office.

$*om?% $;es, +osh.%

$I nee# /our help.% $8f course, #ear. )n/thin'.% $I nee# /ou to #o somethin' for me an# not to tal& about it to an/one, ever.% $Well, thats #ifficult% $;es or no, *om.% $Well, all ri'ht, #ear.% $;ou sai# that (ois !rahams son is on smac&, an# #roppe# out of colle'e?% $;es.% $Where is he no"?% $)pparentl/,% she sai#, $hes #o"nto"n in some 'o#a"ful flophouse off campus% $Bo /ou &no" "here?% $No, but (ois "ent to see him. She tol# me it "as s=uali#. Its on East Thirt/,ei'hth, some ol# frame house "ith fa#e# blue shutters. Ei'ht or nine a##icts are there sleepin' on the floor, but I can call (ois an# as& her% $No,% he sai# =uic&l/. $Bont #o an/thin', *om.% $But /ou sai# /ou nee#e# m/ help% $Thats for later, *om. :or no", ever/thin' is fine. Ill call /ou in a #a/ or so.% 0e scribble# on a pa#> Eric !raham E KGth Street :rame hse blue shutters 0e reache# for his car &e/s.

achel )llen, "ho "or&e# in the #ispensar/, sai#, $;ou still havent si'ne# bac& in one ox/'en

canister from t"o "ee&s a'o, +osh. 8r the virus vial that "as "ith it.% The compan/ measure# remainin' virus in returne# vials, as a "a/ of &eepin' a rou'h trac& of #osa'es to the rats. $;es,% he sai#, $I &no", uh, I &eep for'ettin'.% $Where is it?% $Its in m/ car.% $In /our car? +osh, thats a conta'ious retrovirus.% $;eah, for mice.% $Even so. It must remain in a ne'ative,pressure laborator/ environment at all times.% achel "as a stic&ler for the rules. Nobo#/ reall/ pai# attention to her. $I &no", ach,% he sai#, $but I ha# a famil/ emer'enc/. I ha# to 'et m/ brother%he #roppe# his voice$out of @ail.% $ eall/.% $;es.% $:or "hat?% 0e hesitate#. $)rme# robber/.% $ eall/.% $(i=uor store. *om is crushe#. )n/"a/, Ill brin' the canister bac& to /ou. *ean"hile, can I have one more?% $We onl/ si'n out one at a time.% $I nee# one more no". -lease? Im un#er a lot of pressure.%

(i'ht rain "as fallin'. The streets "ere slic& "ith oil an# shimmere# in rainbo" patterns. Beneath lo", an'r/ clou#s, he #rove #o"n East Thirt/,ei'hth Street. It "as an ol# section of to"n, b/passe# b/ mo#ern rebuil#in' farther north. 0ere houses built in the ET45s an# ETK5s "ere still stan#in'. +osh #rove past several "oo#,frame houses, in various states of #isrepair. 8ne ha# a blue #oor. None ha# blue shutters. 0e en#e# up in the "arehouse #istrict, the street line# "ith loa#in' #oc&s. 0e turne# aroun# an# hea#e# bac&. 0e #rove as slo"l/ as he coul#, an# finall/ he sa" the house. It "as not actuall/ on

Thirt/,ei'hth but on the corner of Thirt/,ei'hth an# )lame#a, tuc&e# bac& behin# hi'h "ee#s an# ratt/ bushes. )n ol# mattress strea&e# "ith rust la/ on the si#e"al& in front of the house. There "as a truc& tire on the front la"n. ) battere# VW bus "as pulle# up to the curb. +osh par&e# across the street. 0e "atche# the house. )n# "aite#. 305EK The coffin rose into sunli'ht. It loo&e# the same as it ha# "hen burie# a "ee& earlier, except for the clumps of #irt that #roppe# from the un#ersi#e. $This is all so un#i'nifie#,% Emil/ Weller sai#. She stoo# stiffl/ at the 'ravesi#e, accompanie# b/ her son, Tom, an# her #au'hter achel. 8f course, (isa "as not there. She "as thecause of all this, but she coul# not be bothere# to see "hat she ha# #one to her poor father. The coffin s"un' slo"l/ in the air as the 'ravesi#e "or&ers 'ui#e# it to the far si#e of the pit un#er the #irection of the hospital patholo'ist, a nervous little man name# *art/ oberts. 0e shoul# be nervous, Emil/ thou'ht, if he "as the one "ho ha# 'iven the bloo# to (isa "ithout an/bo#/s permission. $What happens no"?% Emil/ sai#, turnin' to her son. Tom "as t"ent/,six, #resse# in a sharp suit an# tie. 0e ha# a masters #e'ree in microbiolo'/ an# "or&e# for a bi' biotech compan/ in (os )n'eles. Tom ha# turne# out 'oo#, as ha# her #au'hter achel. achel "as a senior at .S3, stu#/in' business a#ministration. $Will the/ ta&e +ac&s bloo# here?% $8h, the/ll ta&e more than bloo#,% Tom sai#. Emil/ sai#, $What #o /ou mean?% $;ou see,% Tom sai#, $for a 'enetic test li&e this, "here there is a #ispute, the/ or#inaril/ ta&e tissues from several or'an s/stems.% $I #i#nt reali1e,% Emil/ sai#, fro"nin'. She felt her heart poun#in', thumpin' in her chest. She hate# that feelin'. Soon there "as a s=uee1in' feelin' in her throat. It "as painful. She bit her lip. $;ou all ri'ht, *om?% $I shoul# have ta&en m/ anxiet/ pills.% achel sai#, $Will this ta&e lon'?% $No,% Tom sai#, $it shoul# be onl/ a fe" minutes. The patholo'ist "ill open the cas&et, to confirm the i#entit/ of the bo#/. Then hell ta&e it bac& to the hospital to remove the tissues for 'enetic anal/sis. 0ell return the bo#/ for reburial tomorro" or the next #a/.%

$Tomorro" or the next #a/?% Emil/ sai#. She sniffle#, "ipe# her e/es. $;ou mean "e have to come bac& here? We have to bur/ +ac& a'ain? This is all soCsoC% $I &no", *om.% 0e patte# her arm. $Im sorr/. But there is no other "a/. ;ou see, the/ have to chec& for somethin' calle# a chimera% $8h, #ont tell me,% she sai#, "avin' her han#. $I "ont &no" "hat /oure tal&in' about.% $8&a/, *om.% 0e put his arm aroun# her shoul#er.

In ancient m/tholo'/, chimeras "ere monsters compose# of #ifferent animal parts. The ori'inal 3himera ha# the hea# of a lion, the bo#/ of a 'oat, an# a serpents tail. Some chimeras "ere part human, li&e the E'/ptian Sphinx, "ith the bo#/ of a lion, the "in's of a bir#, an# the hea# of a "oman. But true human chimerasmeanin' people "ith t"o sets of BN)ha# been #iscovere# onl/ recentl/. ) "oman nee#in' a &i#ne/ transplant ha# teste# her o"n chil#ren as possible #onors, onl/ to #iscover that the/ #i# not share her BN). She "as tol# the chil#ren "erent hers, an# "as as&e# to prove she ha# actuall/ 'iven birth to them. ) la"suit ensue#. )fter consi#erable stu#/, #octors reali1e# that her bo#/ containe# t"o #ifferent stran#s of BN). In her ovaries, the/ foun# e''s "ith t"o &in#s of BN). The s&in cells of her ab#omen ha# her chil#rens BN). The s&in of her shoul#ers #i# not. She "as a mosaic. In ever/ or'an of her bo#/. It turne# out that the "oman ha# ori'inall/ been one of a pair of fraternal t"ins, but earl/ in #evelopment, her sisters embr/o ha# fuse# "ith hers. So she "as no" literall/ herself an# her o"n t"in. *ore than fift/ chimeras ha# since been reporte#. Scientists no" suspecte# that chimerism "as not as rare as the/ ha# once thou'ht. 3ertainl/, "henever there "as a #ifficult =uestion of paternit/, chimerism ha# to be consi#ere#. It "as possible that (isas father mi'ht be a chimera. But to #etermine that, the/ "oul# nee# tissues from ever/ or'an of his bo#/, an# preferabl/ from several #ifferent places on each or'an. That "as "h/ Br. oberts "as re=uire# to ta&e so man/ tissue samples, an# "h/ it "oul# have to be #one at the hospital, not at the 'rave site.

Br. oberts raise# the li# an# turne# to the famil/ on the opposite si#e of the 'rave. $Woul# one of /ou ma&e the i#entification, please?% $I "ill,% Tom sai#. 0e "al&e# aroun# the 'rave an# loo&e# into the coffin. 0is father appeare# surprisin'l/ unchan'e#, except the s&in "as much 'ra/er, a #ar& 'ra/ no", an# the limbs seeme# to have shrun&, to have lost mass, especiall/ the le's insi#e the trousers.

In a formal voice, the patholo'ist sai#, $Is this /our father, +ohn +. Weller?% $;es. 0e is, /es.% $)ll ri'ht. Than& /ou.% Tom sai#, $Br. oberts, I &no" /ou have /our proce#ures, butCif there is an/ "a/ /ou can ta&e the tissues hereCso m/ mother #oesnt have to 'o throu'h another #a/ an# another burialC% $Im sorr/,% *art/ oberts sai#. $*/ actions are 'overne# b/ state la". Were re=uire# to ta&e the bo#/ to the hospital for examination.% $If /ou coul#C@ust this onceCben#C% $Im sorr/. I "ish I coul#.% Tom no##e# an# "al&e# bac& to his mother an# sister. 0is mother sai#, $What "as all that about?% $+ust as&in' a =uestion.% Tom loo&e# bac& an# sa" that Br. oberts "as no" bent over, his bo#/ half insi#e the cas&et. )bruptl/ the patholo'ist rose up. 0e "al&e# over to spea& in Toms ear, so no one else coul# hear. $*r. Weller, perhaps "e shoul# spare /our famil/s feelin's. If "e can &eep this bet"een usC% $8f course. Then /oullC?% $;es, "ell #o ever/thin' here. It shoul# ta&e onl/ a fe" moments. (et me 'et m/ &it.% 0e hurrie# off to a nearb/ S.V. Emil/ bit her lip. $Whats he #oin'?% $I as&e# him to #o all the tests here, *om.% $)n# he sai# /es? Than& /ou, #ear,% she sai#, an# &isse# her son. $Will he #o all the tests that he "oul# #o at the hospital?% $No, but it shoul# be enou'h to ans"er /our =uestions.% T"ent/ minutes later, the tissue samples ha# been ta&en an# place# in a series of 'lass tubes. The tubes "ere place# in slots in a metal refri'eration case. The cas&et "as returne# to the 'rave, #isappearin' into sha#o".

$3ome on,% Emil/ Weller sai# to her chil#ren, $lets 'et out of here. I nee# a #amn #rin&.% )s the/ #rove a"a/, she sai# to Tom, $Im sorr/ /ou ha# to #o that. Was +ac&s poor bo#/ ver/ #eca/e#, #ear?% $No,% Tom sai#. $Not much, no.% $8h, thats 'oo#,% Emil/ sai#. $Thats ver/ 'oo#.% 305EF *art/ oberts "as s"eatin' b/ the time he 'ot bac& to (on' Beach *emorial 0ospital. Because of "hat he ha# #one at the cemeter/, he coul# lose his license, no problem. 8ne of those 'rave#i''ers coul# pic& up the phone an# call the count/. The count/ coul# "on#er "h/ *art/ ha# bro&en protocol, especiall/ "ith a la"suit pen#in'. When /ou ta&e tissues in the fiel#, /ou ris& contamination. Ever/bo#/ &ne" that. So the count/ mi'ht start "on#erin' "h/ *art/ oberts "oul# ris& that. )n# before lon', the/ mi'ht be "on#erin'C Shit. Shit, shit, shit7 0e pulle# into the emer'enc/ par&in', next to the ambulances, an# hurrie# #o"n the basement hall"a/ to -atholo'/. It "as lunchtime9 almost nobo#/ "as there. The ro"s of stainless steel tables stoo# empt/. a1a "as "ashin' up. $;ou #umb fuc&,% *art/ sai#, $are /ou tr/in' to 'et us both in @ail?% a1a turne# slo"l/. $What is the problem?% he sai# =uietl/. $The problem,% *art/ sai#, $is that I tol# /ou, ta&e the bones onl/ on the cremations. Not the burials. The cremations. Is that so fuc&in' har# to un#erstan#?% $;eah, "ell. Thats "hat I #o,% a1a sai#. $No, thats not "hat /ou #o. Because I @ust came from an exhumation, an# /ou &no" "hat I sa" "hen I #u' the 'u/ up? Ver/ fuc&in' s&inn/ le's, a1a. Ver/ s&inn/ arms. In a burial. % $No,% a1a sai#, $thats not "hat I #o.% $Well, somebo#/ too& the bones.% a1a hea#e# to the office. $Whats the name of this 'u/?% $Weller.%

$What, that 'u/ a'ain? 0es the 'u/ "e lost the tissues for, ri'ht?% $ i'ht. So the famil/ exhume# him. Because he "asburie#. % a1a leane# over the #es&, &e/e# in the patient name. 0e stare# at the screen. $8h /eah. ;oure ri'ht. It "as a burial. But I #i#nt #o that one.% *art/ sai#, $;ou #i#nt #o that one? Who the fuc& #i#?% a1a shru''e#. $*/ brother came in, thats all. I ha# an appointment that ni'ht.% $;our brother? What brother? Nobo#/ else is suppose# to be% $Bont s"eat it, *art/,% a1a sai#. $*/ brother comes in from time to time. 0e &no"s "hat to #o. 0e "or&s at 0ill#ale *ortuar/.% *art/ "ipe# s"eat from his forehea#. $+esus. 0o" lon' has this been 'oin' on?% $*a/be a /ear.% $) /ear7% $8nl/ at ni'ht, *art/. (ate ni'ht onl/. 0e "ears m/ lab coat, loo&s li&e meCWe loo& the same.% $Wait a minute,% *art/ sai#. $Who 'ave that 'irl the bloo# sample? That 'irl (isa Weller.% $8&a/,% a1a sai#. $So sometimes he ma&es mista&es.% $)n# sometimes he "or&s afternoons?% $8nl/ Sun#a/s, *art/. If I have appointments, is all.% *art/ 'rippe# the e#'e of the #es& to stea#/ himself. 0e leane# over an# breathe# #eepl/. $Some fuc&in' 'u/ "ho #oesnt even "or& for the hospital 'ave unauthori1e# bloo# to a "oman because she as&e# for it? Is that "hat /oure tellin' me?% $Not some fuc&in' 'u/. */ brother.% $+esus.% $0e sai# she "as cute.% $That explains ever/thin'.% $3ome on, *art/,% a1a sai#, in a soothin' tone. $Im sorr/ about the Weller 'u/, I reall/ am,

but an/bo#/ coul# have ma#e the s"itch. :uc&in' cemeter/ coul# have #u' him up an# ta&en the lon' bones. !rave#i''ers "or&in' as in#epen#ent contractors coul# have #one it. ;ou &no" it happens all over. The/ 'ot those 'u/s in -hoenix. )n# the ones in *innesota. )n# no" Broo&l/n.% $)n# the/re all in @ail no", a1a.% $8&a/,% a1a sai#. $Thats true. The thin' is, I tol# m/ brother to #o it.% $;ou #i#C% $;eah. That particular ni'ht, the Weller bo#/ came in, "e ha# a stat call for bone, an# the Weller 'u/ t/pe# ri'ht. So #o "e fill the or#er or "hat? Because /ou &no" those bone 'u/s can ta&e their business else"here. To them, no" means no". Suppl/ or #ie.% *art/ si'he#. $;eah, "hen the/ call stat, /ou shoul# fill it.% $8&a/, then.% *art/ sli# into the chair an# be'an t/pin' at the &e/boar# himself. $0o"ever,% he sai#, $if /ou extracte# those lon' bones ei'ht #a/s a'o, I #ont see an/ pa/ment transfer to me.% $Bont "orr/. Its comin'.% $The chec& is in the mail?% $0e/, I for'ot. ;oull 'et /our taste.% $*a&e sure of it,% *art/ sai#. 0e turne# to 'o. $)n# &eep /our fuc&in' brother out of the hospital from no" on. ;ou un#erstan# me?% $Sure, *art/. Sure.%

*art/ oberts "ent outsi#e to move his car from the emer'enc/ space. 0e bac&e# out an# #rove to the Boctors 8nl/ section of the par&in' 'ara'e. Then he sat in his car for a lon' time. Thin&in' about a1a. ;oull 'et /our taste. It seeme# that a1a "as startin' to believe that this "as his pro'ram, an# that *art/ oberts "or&e# for him. a1a "as han#in' out the pa/ments. a1a "as #eci#in' "ho shoul# come in to help. a1a "as not behavin' li&e an emplo/ee9 he "as startin' to behave li&e he "as in char'e, an# that "as #an'erous for all sorts of reasons.

*art/ ha# to #o somethin' about it. )n# he ha# to #o it soon. 8r losin' his me#ical license "oul# be the least of his problems. 305EM )t sunset, the titanium cube that house# Bio!en esearch shimmere# "ith a blin#in' re# 'lare, an# bathe# the a#@acent par&in' lot in a #ar& oran'e color. )s presi#ent ic& Biehl steppe# out of the buil#in', he pause# to put on his sun'lasses, then "al&e# to"ar# his bran#,ne" silver -orsche 3arrera S3. 0e love# this car, "hich he ha# bou'ht the "ee& before in celebration of his impen#in' #ivorce $:uc&7% 0e coul#nt believe his e/es. $:uc&7 :uc&7 :uc&7 % 0is par&in' spot "as empt/. The car "as 'one. That bitch7 0e #i#nt &no" ho" she ha# #one it, but he "as sure she ha# ta&en his car. -robabl/ 'ot her bo/frien# to arran'e it. )fter all, the ne" bo/frien#"as a car #ealer. *ovin' up from a tennis pro. Bitch7 0e stompe# bac& insi#e. Bra#le/ !or#on, his chief of securit/, stoo# in the lobb/s "aitin' area, leanin' over the counter, tal&in' to (isa, the receptionist. (isa "as cute. That "as "h/ ic& ha# hire# her. $!o##amn it, Bra#,% ic& Biehl sai#. $We nee# to revie" securit/ tapes of the par&in' lot.% Bra# turne#. $Wh/? What is it?% $Somebo#/ stole m/ -orsche.% $No shit,% Bra# sai#. $When #i# that happen?% )n# ic& thou'ht, Wron' 'u/ for this @ob. It "asnt the first time he ha# thou'ht it. $(ets chec& the securit/ tapes, Bra#.% $;eah, sure, of course,% Bra# sai#. 0e "in&e# at (isa, an# then hea#e# bac& throu'h the &e/car#,s"ipe #oor, into a secure area. ic& follo"e#, fumin'.

)t one of the t"o #es&s in the little 'lass,"alle# securit/ office, a &i# "as minutel/ examinin' the palm of his left han#. 0e i'nore# the ban& of monitors before him. $+ason,% Bra# sai#, in a "arnin' tone, $*r. Biehl is here.% $8h shit.% The &i# snappe# upri'ht in the chair. $Sorr/. !ot a rash. I #i#nt &no" if% $*r. Biehl "ants to revie" the securit/ cameras. Which cameras are the/ exactl/, *r. Biehl?% 8h +esus. ic& sai#, $The par&in' lot cameras.% $The par&in' lot, ri'ht. +ason, lets start fort/,ei'ht hours bac&, an#% $I #rove the car to "or& this mornin',% Biehl sai#. $ i'ht, "hat time "as that?% $I 'ot here at seven.% $ i'ht. +ason, lets 'o bac& to seven this mornin'.% The &i# shifte# in his chair. $.h, *r. !or#on, the par&in' lot cameras are out.% $8h, thats ri'ht.% Bra# turne# to ic&. $The par&in' lot cameras are out.% $Wh/?% $Not sure. We thin& theres a cable problem.% $0o" lon' have the/ been out?% $Well% $T"o months,% the &i# sai#. $T"o months7% Bra# sai#, $We ha# to or#er parts.% $What parts?% $:rom !erman/.% $What parts?%

$I# have to loo& it up.% The &i# sai#, $We can still use the roof cameras.% $Well, then sho" me the roof cameras,% Biehl sai#. $ i'ht. +ason, brin' up the roof cameras.% It too& them fifteen minutes to re"in# the #i'ital stora'e an# be'in to run it for"ar#. ic& "atche# his -orsche pull in. 0e "atche# himself 'et out an# enter the buil#in'. What happene# next surprise# him. Within t"o minutes, another car pulle# up, t"o men @umpe# out, bro&e into his car =uic&l/, an# #rove it a"a/. $The/ "ere "aitin' for /ou,% Bra# sai#. $8r follo"in' /ou.% $(oo&s li&e it,% ic& sai#. $3all the police, report it, an# tell (isa I "ant her to #rive me home.% Bra# blin&e# at that.

The problem, ic& reflecte#, as (isa #rove him home, "as that Bra# !or#on "as an i#iot, but ic& coul#nt fire him. Bra# !or#on, surf bum, s&i bum, travel bum, recoverin' al&/ an# colle'e #ropout, "as the nephe" of +ac& Watson, a principal investor in Bio!en. +ac& Watson ha# al"a/s loo&e# after Bra#, ha# al"a/s seen that he ha# a @ob. )n# Bra# invariabl/ 'ot into trouble. It "as even rumore# that Bra# ha# been fuc&in' the "ife of the vice presi#ent of !eneS/stems up in -alo )ltofor "hich he "as #ul/ fire#but not "ithout a bi' stin& from his uncle, "ho sa" no reason "h/ Bra# shoul# be let 'o. $Its the vice presi#ents o"n fault,% Watson famousl/ sai#. But no"> No securit/ cameras in the par&in' lot. :or t"o months. It ma#e ic& "on#er "hat else "as "ron' "ith securit/ at Bio!en. 0e 'lance# over at (isa, "ho #rove serenel/. ic& ha# hire# her to be the receptionist soon after he #iscovere# his "ifes affair. (isa ha# a beautiful profile9 she coul# have been a mo#el. Whoever ha# refine# her nose an# chin "as a 'enius. )n# she ha# a lovel/ bo#/, "ith a narro" "aist an# perfectl/ enhance# breasts. She "as t"ent/, on her summer brea& from 3restvie" State, an# she ra#iate# health/, all,)merican sexiness. Ever/one in the compan/ ha# the hots for her. So it "as surprisin' that "henever the/ ma#e love, (isa @ust la/ there. )fter a fe" minutes she seeme# to notice his frustration an# "oul# be'in to move mechanicall/, an# ma&e little pantin' soun#s, as if she ha# been tol# that "as "hat people #i# in be#. Sometimes, "hen ic& "as "orrie# an# preoccupie#, she "oul# tal& to him, $8h bab/, /es, bab/, #o it, bab/,% as if that "as suppose# to move thin's alon'. But it "as onl/ too obvious that she "as unmove#.

ic& ha# #one a little research an# #iscovere# a s/n#rome calle# anhe#onia, the inabilit/ to feel pleasure. )nhe#onics exhibite# a flat affect, "hich certainl/ #escribe# (isa in be#. Interestin'l/, anhe#onia appeare# to have a 'enetic component. It seeme# to involve the limbic s/stem of the brain. So there mi'ht be a 'ene for the con#ition. ic& inten#e# to #o a full panel on (isa one of these #a/s. +ust to chec&. *ean"hile, the ni'hts he spent "ith her mi'ht have ma#e him insecure, if it "ere not for !reta, the )ustrian post#oc in the microbiolo'/ lab. !reta "as chun&/ an# ha# 'lasses an# short, mannish hair, but she fuc&e# li&e a min&, leavin' them both 'aspin' for breath an# covere# in s"eat. !reta "as a screamer an# a "rither an# a ho"ler. 0e felt 'reat after"ar#. The car pulle# up at his ne" con#o. ic& chec&e# for his &e/s in his poc&et. (isa sai# matter,of, factl/, $;ou "ant me to come up?% She ha# beautiful blue e/es, "ith lon' lashes. Beautiful lush lips. 0e thou'ht, "hat the hell. $Sure,% he sai#. $3ome on up.%

0e calle# his la"/er, Barr/ Sin#ler, to report that his "ife ha# stolen his car. $;ou thin& so?% Sin#ler sai#. 0e soun#e# #oubtful. $;eah, I #o. She hire# some 'u/s. I have it on securit/ tape.% $;ou have her on tape?% $No, the 'u/s. But shes behin# it.% $Im not so sure,% Sin#ler sai#. $.suall/ "omen trash a husban#s car, not steal it.% $Im tellin' /ou% $8&a/, Ill chec& into it. But ri'ht no", there are a fe" thin's I "ant to 'o over "ith /ou. )bout the liti'ation.% )cross the room, (isa "as steppin' out of her clothes. She fol#e# each item of clothin' an# place# it on the bac& of the chair. She "as "earin' a pin& bra an# pin& briefs that s&imme# her pubic bone. No lace, @ust stretch/ fabric that mol#e# smoothl/ to her smooth bo#/. She reache# behin# her bac& to release the bra. $Ill have to call /ou bac&,% ic& sai#. B(8NBES BE38*IN! EJTIN3T

En#an'ere# Species To $Bie 8ut in 455 ;ears% )ccor#in' to the BB3, $a stu#/ b/ experts in !erman/ su''ests people "ith blon#e hair are an en#an'ere# species an# "ill become extinct b/ 4454.% esearchers pre#icte# that the last trul/ natural blon#e "oul# be born in :inlan#, a countr/ that boasts the hi'hest proportion of blon#es. But the scientists sa/ too fe" people no" carr/ the 'ene for blon#es to last much lon'er. The researchers hinte# that so,calle# bottle blon#es $ma/ be to blame for the #emise of their natural rivals.% Not ever/ scientist a'rees "ith the pre#iction of impen#in' extinction. But a stu#/ b/ the Worl# 0ealth 8r'ani1ation #oes in#icate that natural blon#es are li&el/ to become extinct "ithin the next t"o centuries. *ore recentl/, the probabilit/ of extinction "as revie"e# b/The Times of (on#on, in li'ht of ne" #ata about the evolution of the*3E 'ene for blon#eness. 305E6 The @un'le"as completel/ silent. Not a bu11in' cica#a, not a hornbill cr/, nor a #istant chatterin' mon&e/. .tterl/ silentan# no "on#er, 0a'ar thou'ht. 0e shoo& his hea# as he loo&e# at the ten camera cre"s from aroun# the "orl# no" clustere# in little 'roups on the @un'le floor, protectin' their lenses from the #rippin' moisture as the/ peere# up"ar# into the trees overhea#. 0e ha# tol# them to be silent, an# in#ee# nobo#/ "as actuall/ tal&in'. The :rench cre" smo&e# ci'arettes. )lthou'h the !erman cre" maintaine# silence, the cameraman &ept snappin' his fin'ers imperiousl/ as he 'esture# to his assistant to #o this an# that. The +apanese cre" from N0< "as =uiet, but besi#e them, the 3NN cre" out of Sin'apore "hispere# an# murmure# an# chan'e# lenses, clan&in' metal boxes. The British S&/ TV cre" from 0on' <on' ha# come inappropriatel/ #resse#. The/ no" ha# their runnin' shoes off an# "ere pluc&in' leeches from bet"een their toes, s"earin' as the/ #i# so. 0opeless. 0a'ar ha# "arne# the companies about con#itions in Sumatra an# the #ifficult/ of filmin' there. 0e ha# recommen#e# that the/ sen# "il#life photo'raph/ teams experience# in fiel#"or&. No one ha# listene#. Instea#, the/ ha# rushe# the nearest available cre"s to Berasta'i, an# as a result half the teams ha# talent stan#in' b/, microphones hel# rea#/, as if the/ "ere "aitin' to ambush a hea# of state. The/ ha# been "aitin' for three hours. So far, the tal&in' oran'utan ha# faile# to ma&e an appearance, an# 0a'ar "as prepare# to bet he never "oul#. 0a'ar cau'ht the e/e of one of the :rench team an# 'esture# for him to put out his ci'arette. The 'u/ shru''e# an# turne# his bac& to 0a'ar. 0e continue# smo&in'. 8ne of the +apanese team slippe# throu'h the 'roup an# stoo# besi#e 0a'ar. 0e "hispere#, $When #oes the animal come?%

$When its silent.% $So, /ou mean not to#a/?% 0a'ar ma#e a helpless 'esture, palms up"ar#. $We are too man/?% 0a'ar no##e#. $-erhaps tomorro", "e "ill come alone.% $)ll ri'ht,% 0a'ar sai#. +ust then a ripple of excitement ran throu'h the cre"s9 the/ @umpe# to their cameras, a#@uste# their tripo#s, an# be'an to film. 0a'ar hear# the soft murmur of voices in man/ lan'ua'es. Nearb/, the S&/ TV man hel# his microphone close to his lips an# spo&e in a sta'e "hisper> $We are stan#in' here #eep in the remote @un'les of Sumatra, an# there, @ust across the "a/, "e see the creature that has arouse# the speculation of the entire "orl#the chimpan1ee that is sai# to tal& an#, /es, even to s"ear.% 3hrist, 0a'ar thou'ht. 0e turne# to see "hat the/ "ere filmin'. 0e cau'ht a 'limpse of bro"nish fur an# a #ar& hea#. The animal "as clearl/ no lar'er than t"o feet tall, an# almost imme#iatel/ 'ave the lo" moanin' call of the pi',taile# maca=ue. The camera cre"s "ere electrifie#. *icrophones pointe# li&e so man/ 'un barrels to"ar# the =uic&,movin' animal. The/ hear# more moans from the #istant folia'e. 8bviousl/ a 'oo#,si1e troop "as here. The !ermans reco'ni1e# it first.$Nein, nein, nein7% The cameraman steppe# irritabl/ a"a/ from the camera.$Es ist ein maca=ue.% Soon the canop/ overhea# "as thrashin' as a #o1en maca=ues s"un' throu'h the area an# hea#e# north. 8ne of the Brits turne# to 0a'ar. $Wheres the chimp, then?% $8ran'utan,% 0a'ar sai#. $Whatever. Where is he?% 0is voice "as impatient. $0e #oesnt &eep an appointment calen#ar,% 0a'ar sai#. $Is this "here hes usuall/ foun#? ;es? 3an "e put some foo# out for him, somethin' to attract him? *a&e some matin' call?%

$No,% 0a'ar sai#. $No "a/ to attract him, is that it?% $Thats it.% $We @ust sit here an# hope for the best?% The @ournalist 'lance# at his "atch. $The/ "ant tape b/ noon.% $.nfortunatel/,% 0a'ar sai#, $"ere in the @un'le. It happens "hen it happens. Its the natural "orl#.% $Not if it tal&s, its not natural,% the cameraman sai#. $)n# I havent 'ot all fuc&in' #a/.% $I #ont &no" "hat to tell /ou,% 0a'ar sai#. $:in# me the fuc&in' mon&e/7% the 'u/ /elle#. 0is shout a'itate# the maca=ues in the trees, ma#e them scamper an# moan. 0a'ar loo&e# at the others. The :rench cameraman sai#, $-erhaps =uieter? :or ever/bo#/.% $Bu''er off, /ou miserable fuc&"it,% the Brit sai#. $Eas/, mate.% ) hu'e man from the )ustralian cre" steppe# for"ar# an# put his han# on the Brit, "ho s"un' a roun#house to his @a". The )ustralian cau'ht his han#, t"iste# it, an# shove# him into his tripo#. The tripo# "ent #o"n, the cameraman spra"lin'. The rest of the British cre" @umpe# the )ussie, "hose teammates rushe# to his #efense. So #i# the !ermans. Soon three cre"s "ere s"in'in' "il#l/. When the :rench tripo# fell, an# their camera "as splattere# "ith mu#, other cre"s be'an to fi'ht as "ell. 0a'ar @ust stare#. No oran' to#a/, he thou'ht. 305EV ic& Biehlof Bio!en "as chan'in' in the loc&er room of the Bel )ir 3ountr/ 3lub. 0e ha# 'one there to pla/ a foursome "ith some investors "ho mi'ht be intereste# in Bio!en. 8ne 'u/ from *errill (/nch, his bo/frien#, an# a 'u/ from 3itiban&. ic& trie# to pla/ it casual, but he felt some ur'enc/ because ever since he "atche# his "ife "al& throu'h the lobb/ "ith that asshole in "hite tennis to's, he ha# been in a panic. Without <arens financial bac&in', ic& "as expose# to the unten#er mercies of his other ma@or investor, +ac& Watson. )n# that "asnt comfortable. 0e nee#e# fresh mone/. 8ut there on the 'olf course, "ith the sun shinin' an# a soft bree1e blo"in', he fe# them his

little speeches about the emer'in' "on#ers of biotech, an# the po"er of the c/to&ines manufacture# b/ the Burnet cell line Bio!en ha# ac=uire#. It "as a real opportunit/ to 'et in on a compan/ that "as about to 'ro" fast. The/ #i#nt see it that "a/. The *errill (/nch 'u/ sai#, $)rent l/mpho&ines the same as c/to&ines? 0avent there been some unexplaine# #eaths from c/to&ines?% ic& explaine# that there ha# been a fe" #eaths, some /ears bac&, because a han#ful of ph/sicians ha# @umpe# the 'un on therap/. The *errill (/nch 'u/ sai#, $I "as in l/mpho&ines five /ears a'o. Never ma#e a #ime.% Then the 3itiban& 'u/ sai#, $What about c/to&ine storms?% 3/to&ine storms. 3hrist, ic& thou'ht. 0e ble" his putt. $Well,% he sai#, $c/to&ine storms are reall/ @ust a speculative concept. The i#ea is that in certain rare circumstances, the immune s/stem overreacts an# attac&s the bo#/, causin' multiple or'an s/stems to fail% $Isnt that "hat happene# in the influen1a epi#emic of ETEG?% $) fe" aca#emics have sai# so, but the/ all "or& for #ru' companies that mar&et competin' pro#ucts.% $;oure sa/in' it mi'ht not be true?% $;ou have to be ver/ careful about "hat universities tell /ou, no"a#a/s.% $Even about ETEG?% $Bisinformation ta&es man/ forms,% ic& sai#, pic&in' up his ball. $The truth is c/to&ines are the "ave of the future, the/ are fast,trac&e# for clinical testin' an# pro#uct #evelopment, an# the/ offer the fastest return on investment of all the pro#uct lines out there to#a/. Thats "h/ I ma#e c/to&ines m/ first ac=uisition at Bio!en. )n# "e have @ust "on the liti'ation that surroun#e#% $The/ "ont appeal? I hear# the/ "ere.% $The @u#'es rulin' too& the fi'ht out of them.% $But havent people #ie# from 'ene transfers that provo&e# a c/to&ine storm? 0avent alot of people #ie#?% ic& si'he#. $Not so man/C% $What? :ift/, a hun#re#, somethin' li&e that?%

$I #ont &no" the exact number,% ic& sai#, no" reali1in' that this "as not 'oin' to be a 'oo# #a/. )n# that "as an hour before one of them finall/ sai# that in his opinion onl/ an i#iot "oul# invest in c/to&ines. Nice.

)n# so he felt exhauste# an# #efeate#, sittin' slumpe# in the loc&er room after"ar#, "hen +ac& Watson, suntanne# an# resplen#ent in tennis "hites, #roppe# onto the bench besi#e him an# sai#, $So. .seful 'ame?% 0e "as the last person Biehl "ante# to see. $Not ba#.% $)n/ of those 'u/s 'oin' to come in?% $*a/be. Well "ait an# see.% Watson sai#, $Those *errill (/nch 'u/s have no balls. Their i#ea of ta&in' a ris& is peein' in the sho"er. I "oul#nt hol# m/ breath. What #o /ou thin& about the a#ial !enomics business?% $What a#ial !enomics business?% $I 'uess "or# hasnt 'otten aroun#. I fi'ure# /ou# &no" about it.% 0e bent over, be'an to unlace his shoes. $I @ust thou'ht /ou# be concerne#,% he sai#. $Bi#nt /ou have a robber/ recentl/?% $;es. */ car "as stolen from the par&in' lot,% Biehl sai#. $But Im 'oin' throu'h a #ivorce, an# its prett/ bitter @ust no".% $So /ou assume /our "ife too& /our car?% $Well, /esC% $Bo /ou &no" that for a fact?% $No,% Biehl sai#, fro"nin'. $I @ust assume#C% $Because thats ho" it starte# at a#ial !enomics. *inor thefts of ph/sical propert/. ) lab assistants car from the lot, a purse from the compan/ #inin' room. )n IB car# from the bathroom. Nobo#/ thou'ht much about italthou'h in retrospect, it "as someone probin' the s/stem for "ea&nesses. The/ un#erstoo# that, after the massive #ataban& theft.% $Bataban& theft?% Biehl sai#, fro"nin'. That "as potentiall/ ver/ serious. 0e &ne" 3harlie 0u''ins #o"n at !enomics. 0e# call him an# 'et the full stor/.

$8f course,% Watson sai#, $0u''inss not a#mittin' an/thin' happene#. The/ve 'ot an I-8 in +une, an# he &no"s it# &ill the offerin'. But the stor/ is, last month the/ ha# four cell lines ta&en from their labs, an# fift/ terab/tes of net"or& #ata remove#, inclu#in' bac&ups of that #ata from offsite stora'e. Ver/ professional @ob. eall/ set them bac&.% $No &i##in'. Im sorr/ to hear that.% $8f course I put 3harlie in contact "ith BB!, Biolo'ical Bata !roup. Its a securit/ outfit. Im sure /ou &no" them.% $BB!?% Biehl coul#nt remember that name, but it seeme# he ou'ht to &no" it. $8f course I &no" BB!.% $ i'ht. The/ve #one securit/ for !enentech, W/eth, BioS/n, a #o1en other places. Not that an/ of those 'u/s "ill ever tal& about "hat happene#, but BB! is un=uestionabl/ the best "hen /ou have problems. The/ come in, anal/1e /our securit/ setup, IB /our vulnerabilities, an# close the net"or& holes. Nuiet, fast, confi#ential.% Biehl "as thin&in' the onl/ securit/ problem he ha# "as +ac& Watsons nephe". But "hat he sai# "as, $*a/be I shoul# tal& to them.%

Which "as ho" ic& Biehl foun# himself sittin' in a restaurant across from an ele'ant blon#e in a #ar& business suit. She ha# intro#uce# herself as +ac=ueline *aurer. She ha# short hair an# a bris& manner. She shoo& han#s firml/ an# han#e# him her business car#. She coul#nt have been more than thirt/. She ha# the ti'ht bo#/ of a '/mnast. She loo&e# him in the e/e "hen she spo&e an# "as ver/ #irect. ic& 'lance# at the car#. It ha# BB! in blue, an# beneath, in small letterin', "as her name an# a phone number. Nothin' else. 0e sai#, $BB! has its offices "here?% $*an/ cities aroun# the "orl#.% $)n# /ou?% $I am base# in San :rancisco at the moment. Before that, Surich.% 0e "as listenin' to her accent. 0e ha# thou'ht it "as :rench, but it "as probabl/ !erman. $;ou are from Surich?% $No. I "as born in To&/o. */ father "as in the #iplomatic corps. I travele# a lot "hen I "as /oun'. I atten#e# school in -aris an# 3ambri#'e. I "or&e# first for 3rD#it (/onnais in 0on' <on', because I spea& *an#arin an# 3antonese. Then I "ent to (ombar# 8#ier in !eneva. -rivate ban&.% The "aiter came. She or#ere# mineral "ater, a bran# he #i# not &no".

$What is that?% he sai#. $Its Nor"e'ian. Ver/ 'oo#.% 0e or#ere# the same. $)n# ho" #i# /ou 'et to BB!?% he as&e#. $T"o /ears a'o. In Surich.% ic& sai#, $What "ere the circumstances?% $Im sorr/, I cant sa/. ) compan/ ha# a problem. BB! "as brou'ht in to solve it. I "as as&e# to helpsome technical issues. I subse=uentl/ @oine# them.% $) compan/ in Surich ha# a problem?% She smile#. $Im sorr/.% $What companies have /ou "or&e# "ith, since @oinin' BB!?% $Im not free to sa/.% ic& fro"ne#. 0e "as thin&in' this "as 'oin' to be a ver/ "eir# intervie", if she coul#nt tell him an/thin'. $;ou reali1e,% she sai#, $that #ata theft is a 'lobal concern. It affects companies aroun# the "orl#. Estimate# losses of one trillion euros annuall/. No compan/ "ishes its problems ma#e public. So "e respect the privac/ of our clients.% ic& sai#, $What exactl/ can /ou tell me?% $Thin& of an/ lar'e ban&in' or scientific or pharmaceutical firm. We have probabl/ #one "or& for them.% $Ver/ #iscreet.% $)s "e "ill be #iscreet "ith /ou. We "ill sen# onl/ three persons to /our compan/, inclu#in' me. We "ill i#entif/ ourselves as #ue,#ili'ence accountants for a V3 firm that is thin&in' of investin'. We "ill spen# one "ee& revie"in' /our status, an# then report to /ou.% Ver/ strai'htfor"ar#, ver/ #irect. 0e trie# to focus on "hat she "as sa/in', but he foun# her beaut/ #istractin'. She #i# not ma&e the sli'htest sexual 'esturenot a 'lance, not a bo#/ movement, not a touch/et she "as immensel/ sex/. No bra, he coul# see that, firm breasts beneath a sil& blouseC

$*r. Biehl?% she sai#. She "as starin' at him. 0e must have #rifte# off. $Im sorr/.% 0e shoo& his hea#. $Its been a ver/ #ifficult timeC% $We are a"are of /our personal stresses,% she sai#. $)n# also of /our securit/ issues. I mean, the political aspects of /our securit/.% $;es,% he sai#, $"e have a hea# of securit/, a man name# Bra#le/% $0e must be replace# imme#iatel/,% she sai#. $I &no",% he sai#, $but his uncle% $(eave all that to us,% she sai#. The "aiter came bac&, an# she or#ere# lunch.

)s the conversation continue#, he felt more an# more #ra"n to her. +ac=ueline *aurer ha# an exotic =ualit/, an# a personal reserve that he foun# challen'in'. It "as not #ifficult to #eci#e to hire her. 0e "ante# to see her a'ain. )t the en# of the meal, the/ "al&e# outsi#e. She shoo& han#s firml/. $When "ill /ou start?% he sai#. $Imme#iatel/. To#a/, if /ou li&e.% $;es, 'oo#,% he sai#. $)ll ri'ht, then. We "ill visit /our hea#=uarters in four #a/s.% $Not to#a/?% $8h no. We start to#a/, but "e must a##ress /our political problem first. Then "e "ill come.% ) blac& to"n car pulle# up. The #river came aroun# to open the #oor for her. $8h, an# b/ the "a/,% she sai#. $;our -orsche has been locate# in 0ouston. We are =uite certain /our "ife #i# not ta&e it.% She slippe# into the to"n car, her s&irt ri#in' up. She #i#nt pull it #o"n. She "ave# to ic& as the #river close# the #oor. )s the limousine pulle# a"a/, ic& reali1e# he "as breathless. 305EG It "as@ust his "a/ of relaxin', Bra# !or#on &ne", but tr/ explainin' that to an/one else. )

sin'le 'u/ ha# to be careful these #a/s. That "as "h/ he al"a/s brou'ht a -B) an# a cell phone "henever he sat in the school bleachers. 0e# preten# to sen# messa'es an# tal& on the cell phone, li&e a bus/ parent. *a/be an uncle. )n# he #i#nt come all the time, @ust once or t"ice a "ee& #urin' soccer season. When he #i#nt have an/thin' else to #o. In the afternoon sun, the 'irls runnin' aroun# in their shorts an# &nee soc&s loo&e# lovel/. Seventh,'ra#erscoltish le's, bu##in' breasts that har#l/ bounce# as the/ ran. Some of them ha# real rac&s on them, an# butts that "ere #evelope#, but most retaine# an en#earin', chil#,li&e =ualit/. Not /et "omen, but no lon'er 'irls. Innocent, at least for a "hile. Bra# too& his usual seat, half"a/ up the bleachers an# over to one si#e, as if he "ere &eepin' some #istance for his private business calls. 0e no##e# to the other re'ulars, 'ran#parents an# 0ispanic mai#s, as he too& out his -B) an# set his cell phone on his &nee. 0e 'ot his st/lus an# be'an to pec& at the -B), actin' as if he "ere too bus/ to loo& at the 'irls. $Excuse me.% 0e loo&e# up. )n )sian 'irl "as sittin' #o"n next to him. 0e ha# never seen her before, but she "as cute. *a/be ei'hteen or so. $Im reall/, reall/ sorr/,% she sai#, $but I have to call Emil/s parents%she no##e# to"ar# one of the 'irls on the fiel#$an# m/ batter/ #ie#. 3oul# I possibl/ use /our phone? +ust for a minute?% $.h, sure,% he sai#, han#in' her the phone. $Its @ust a local call.% $No problem.% She calle# =uic&l/, sa/in' somethin' about it bein' the thir# =uarter an# the/ coul# come an# pic& her up soon. 0e preten#e# not to listen. She han#e# the phone bac& to him, her han# touchin' his. $0e/, than&s.% $;oure "elcome.% $I havent seen /ou at an/ of the 'ames before,% she sai#. $Bo /ou come a lot?% $Not as often as I# li&e. Wor&, /ou &no".% Bra#le/ pointe# to the fiel#. $Which one is Emil/?% $The center for"ar#.% She pointe# to a blac& 'irl, on the other si#e of the fiel#. $Im her frien#. <ell/.% She exten#e# her han#, shoo& his. $Bra#,% he sai#.

$Nice to meet /ou, Bra#. )n# /oure here "ithC?% $8h, m/ niece is at the #entist to#a/,% he sai#. $I #i#nt fin# out until I "as alrea#/ here.% 0e shru''e#. $Nice uncle. She must reall/ appreciate /ou comin'. But /ou #ont seem ol# enou'h to be the uncle of one of the 'irls.% 0e smile#. :or some reason he felt nervous. <ell/ "as sittin' ver/ close, her thi'h almost touchin' his. 0e coul#nt use his -B) or his phone. Nobo#/ ever sat close li&e that. $*/ parents are so ol#,% <ell/ sai#. $*/ #a# "as fift/ "hen I "as born.% She stare# out at the fiel#. $I 'uess thats "h/ I li&e ol#er 'u/s.% 0e thou'ht, 0o" ol# is she? But he coul#nt thin& of a "a/ to as& her "ithout bein' obvious. She hel# her han#s up, scrutini1e# them, fin'ers sprea# "i#e. $I @ust 'ot m/ nails #one,% she sai#. $;ou li&e this color?% $;es. Ver/ 'oo# color.% $*/ #a# hates it "hen I 'et m/ nails #one. 0e thin&s it ma&es me loo& too mature. But I thin& its a 'oo# color. 0ot love. Thats the name of the color.% $;esC% $)n/"a/, all the 'irls 'et their nails #one. I mean, comeon . I "as 'ettin' m/ nails #one in seventh 'ra#e. )n# besi#es, I 'ra#uate#.% $8h, /ou 'ra#uate#?% $;es. (ast /ear.% She ha# opene# her purse an# "as rumma'in' aroun# insi#e it. )lon' "ith the lipstic&, car &e/s, i-o#, an# ma&eup cases, he notice# a couple of @oints "rappe# in plastic an# a ribbon of colore# con#oms that ma#e a crac&lin' soun# "hen she pushe# them aroun#. 0e loo&e# a"a/. $So, are /ou in colle'e no"?% $No,% she sai#. $I too& a /ear off.% She smile# at him. $*/ 'ra#es "erent too 'oo#. 0avin' too much fun.% She pulle# out a small plastic bottle of oran'e @uice. $Bo /ou have an/ vo#&a?% $Not on me,% he sai#, surprise#. $!in?% $.h, noC%

$But /ou coul# 'et some, ri'ht?% She smile# at him. $I suppose I coul#,% he sai#. $I promise I# pa/ /ou bac&,% she sai#, still smilin'. That "as ho" it starte#.

The/ left the pla/in' fiel# separatel/, several minutes apart. Bra#le/ "ent first, an# he "aite# in his car in the par&in' lot, "atchin' her "al& to"ar# him. She "as "earin' flip,flops, a short s&irt, an# a lac/ top that loo&e# li&e somethin' /ou "oul# "ear to be#. But all the 'irls #resse# that "a/ these #a/s. 0er hu'e ba' ban'e# a'ainst her si#e as she "al&e#. She lit a ci'arette an# then climbe# into her car. She "as #rivin' a blac& *ustan'. She "ave# to him. 0e starte# his en'ine, pulle# out, an# she follo"e# him. 0e thou'ht,Bont 'et /our hopes up. But the truth "as, he alrea#/ ha#. 305ET *arilee 0unter, the pe#antic #irector of the (on' Beach *emorial 'enetics lab, li&e# to hear herself tal&. *art/ oberts #i# his best to appear intereste#. *arilee ha# a fuss/, pinche# #emeanor, li&e a librarian in an ol# forties movie. She #eli'hte# in catchin' errors amon' hospital staff. She ha# calle# *art/ to sa/ she nee#e# to see him, ri'ht a"a/. $3orrect me if Im "ron' on the basics,% *arliee 0unter sai#. $*r. Wellers #au'hter obtains a postmortem paternit/ test that in#icates she an# her father #o not share BN). Nevertheless, the "i#o" insists Weller is the father, an# #eman#s further testin'. ;ou provi#e me samples of bloo#, spleen, liver, &i#ne/, an# testes, althou'h all have been compromise# from funeral home infusation. ;ou are loo&in' for a chimera, obviousl/.% $;es. 8r an error in the ori'inal test,% *art/ sai#. $We #ont &no" "here the #au'hter too& the bloo# for testin'.% $-aternit/ tests have a nontrivial error rate,% *arilee sai#. $Especiall/ in online establishments. */ lab #oes not ma&e errors. We "ill test all these tissues, *art/as soon as /ou provi#e buccal cells from the #au'hter.% $ i'ht, ri'ht.% 0e ha# for'otten all about that. The/ nee#e# chee& cells from the #au'hter to compare BN). $She ma/ not cooperate.% $In that case,% *arilee sai#, $"e "ill test the son an# the other #au'hter. But /ou reali1e these tissue tests ta&e time. Wee&s.%

$8f course, /es.% *arilee opene# the Weller patient file, "hich "as stampe# BE3E)SEB . She thumbe# throu'h the pa'es. $*ean"hile, I cant help but "on#er about /our ori'inal autops/.% *art/ @er&e# his hea# up. $What about it?% $It sho"s here /ou ran a tox screen that came bac& ne'ative.% $We #o a tox screen in ever/ automobile fatalit/. Its routine.% $.mm,% 0unter sai#, pursin' her lips. $The thin' is, "e repeate# the tox screen in our lab. )n# the result is not ne'ative.% $8h?% he sai#, controllin' his voice. Thin&in'> What the fuc&? $Its #ifficult to run a tox panel after all the funeral preservatives have been infuse#, but "e have experience #ealin' "ith that. )n# "e #etermine# that the #ecease# *r. Weller ha# elevate# intracellular levels of calcium an# ma'nesiumC% *art/ thou'ht, 8h bo/ C $Calon' "ith si'nificant hepatic elevation of ethanol #eh/#ro'enase, impl/in' a hi'h bloo#, alcohol level at the time of the acci#entC% *art/ 'roane# in"ar#l/. Who ha# #one the ori'inal tox screen? 0a# fuc&in' a1a sent it out? 8r onl/sai# that he ha#? $Can# finall/,% *arilee sai#, $"e foun# trace levels of ethacr/nic aci#.% $Ethacr/nic aci#?% *art/ "as sha&in' his hea#. $That ma&es no sense at all. Thats an oral #iuretic.% $3orrect.% $The 'u/ "as fort/,six /ears ol#. 0is in@uries "ere severe, but even so, I coul# tell he ha# been in fantastic ph/sical shapeli&e he "as a bo#/buil#er or somethin'. Bo#/buil#ers ta&e those #ru's. If he "as ta&in' an oral #iuretic, that "as probabl/ "h/.% $;oure assumin' that he &ne" he "as ta&in' it,% 0unter sai#. $-ossibl/ he #i#nt &no".% $;ou thin& somebo#/ poisone# him?% *art/ sai#. She shru''e#. $Toxic reactions inclu#e shoc&, h/potension, an# coma. It coul# have contribute# to his #eath.%

$I #ont &no" ho" /ou "oul# #etermine that.% $;ou #i# the post,% she remin#e# him, thumbin' throu'h the chart. $;es, I #i#. Wellers in@uries "ere massive. 3rush trauma to face an# chest, pericar#ial rupture, fracture of hip an# femur. 0is air ba' #i#nt open.% $The car "as chec&e#, of course?% *art/ si'he#. $)s& the cops. Not m/ @ob.% $It shoul# have been chec&e#.% $(oo&,% *art/ sai#, $this "as a sin'le,car fatalit/. There "ere "itnesses. The 'u/ is not #run& or in a coma. 0e #rives strai'ht into a free"a/ overpass at ninet/ miles an hour. Nearl/ all sin'le, car fatalities are suici#es. No surprise the victim turne# off the air ba' first.% $But /ou #i#nt chec&, *art/.% $No. Because "e ha# no reason. The 'u/s tox screen "as ne'ative an# his electrol/tes "ere essentiall/ normal, 'iven his in@uries an# time of #eath.% $Except the/ "erent normal, *art/.% $8ur tests came bac& normal.% $.mm,% she sai#. $)re /ou sure the tests "ere actuall/ #one?% )n# that "as "hen *art/ oberts be'an to thin& seriousl/ about a1a. a1a ha# sai# there "as a rush or#er from the bone ban& that ni'ht. a1a "ante# to fill the or#er. So a1a "oul# not have "ante# Wellers bo#/ to lie in a loc&er for four or six #a/s "hile the abnormal tox fin#in's "ere anal/1e#. $Ill have to chec&,% *art/ sai#, $to ma&e sure the tests "ere #one.% $I thin& "e ou'ht to,% *arilee sai#. $Because accor#in' to the hospital file, the #ecease#s son "or&s for a biotech compan/, an# the "ife "or&s in a pe#iatricians office. I assume both have access to biolo'icals. )t this point, "e cant be certain that *r. Weller "asnt poisone#.% $-ossible,% *art/ sai#. $Thou'h unli&el/.% She 'ave him a frost/ loo&. $Ill 'et ri'ht on it,% *art/ oberts sai#.

Wal&in' bac& to the lab, he trie# to #eci#e "hat to #o about a1a. The 'u/ "as a menace. *art/ "as certain no" that a1a ha# never or#ere# the tox screen, "hich meant that the lab report ha# been fa&e#. Either a1a ha# fa&e# it himself, Jeroxin' another report an# chan'in' the name, or he ha# an accomplice in the lab "ho fa&e# it for him. -robabl/ the latter. Bear !o#, another person involve# in all this. )n# no" *iss -riss/pants "as on the hunt for "ron'#oers because of trace ethacr/nic aci#. Ethacr/nic aci#. If +ohn Weller reall/ ha# been poisone#, *art/ ha# to a#mit it "as a clever choice. The 'u/ "as clearl/ vain about his bo#/. )t his a'e, he ha# to spen# a couple of hours a #a/ in the '/m. -robabl/ too& a ton of supplements an# shit. So it "oul# be har# to prove that he ha#nt ta&en the #iuretic himself. 0ar#. But not impossibleCEthacr/nic aci# "as a prescription #ru'. There "oul# be paper trails. Even if he 'ot it from somebo#/, another bo#/buil#er, or a "eb site in )ustralia, all that "oul# ta&e #a/s to chec& out. It "oul#nt be lon' before somebo#/ #eci#e# to ta&e another loo& at the bo#/ an# #iscovere# the corpse ha# no arm an# le' bones. Shit. :uc&in' a1a7 *art/ starte# thin&in' about a fort/,six,/ear,ol# bo#/buil#er. !u/ that a'e, 'ro"n famil/ "or&s his ass off to 'et a bo#/ li&e that, theres onl/ t"o reasons. 0es 'a/ or hes 'ot a 'irlfrien#. Either "a/ hes not humpin' his "ife. So ho" #oes she feel about that? -isse# off? -robabl/, /eah. Enou'h to poison the buff hubb/? 3oul#nt rule it out. -eople &ille# their spouses for less. *art/ foun# himself thin&in' har# about *rs. Weller, recallin' ever/thin' that ha# happene# at the exhumation. 0e sa" it in his min#> the tearful "i#o", leanin' a'ainst her tall son, "ith the #utiful #au'hter stan#in' besi#e, hol#in' tissues for *om. )ll ver/ touchin'. ExceptC The minute the cas&et came out of the 'roun#, Emil/ Weller 'ot nervous. Su##enl/ the 'rievin' "i#o" "ante# ever/thin' #one fast. Bont ta&e the bo#/ bac& to the hospital. Bont ta&e too man/ tissue samples. The "oman "ho ha# #eman#e# a thorou'h BN) anal/sis su##enl/ seeme# to chan'e her min#. Wh/, he "on#ere#, ha# she #one that? 0e coul# thin& of onl/ one possible ans"er> *rs. Weller "ante# her paternit/ test, but she never ima'ine# the bo#/ "oul# be ta&en bac& to the hospital for examination. She never thou'ht the/ "oul# ta&e tissues from multiple or'ans. She thou'ht the/ "oul# @ust 'rab a bloo# sample, put the bo#/ bac& in the 'roun#, an# 'o home. )n/thin' more than that seeme# to ma&e *rs. Weller nervous.

*a/be there "as hope, after all.

0e "ent into his office an# close# the #oor. 0e nee#e# to call *rs. Weller. It "as a #elicate call. There "oul# be a hospital recor# of the #ate an# time of the call. So, "h/ "as he callin' her? 0e fro"ne#. 8h, /es> Because he ha# to collect her BN), an# that of her chil#ren. 8&a/, fine. But "h/ ha#nt he collecte# the BN) from the famil/ at the 'rave site? It "as @ust a matter of chee& s"abs. It "oul# have ta&en onl/ a moment. )ns"er> Because he thou'ht the BN) ha# alrea#/ been collecte# b/ *iss -riss/pantss lab. *art/ consi#ere# that. olle# it over in his min#. 0e coul# fin# nothin' "ron' "ith it. 0e ha# a perfectl/ 'oo# reason to call. 0e pic&e# up the phone an# #iale#.

$*rs. Weller, this is Br. oberts at *emorial 0ospital. *art/ oberts.% $;es, Br. oberts.% ) pause. $Is ever/thin' all ri'ht?% $;es, *rs. Weller. I @ust "ant to sche#ule /ou an# /our chil#ren to come in an# 'ive us bloo# an# chee& tissue samples. :or the BN) test.% $We alrea#/ #i# that. :or that "oman at the lab.% $8h, I see. ;ou mean Br. 0unter? Im sorr/, I #i#nt &no".% There "as a pause. Emil/ sai#, $)re /ou, uh, #oin' the tests on +ac& no"?% $;es. We #o some of the tests here, an# the lab #oes some.% $0ave /ou foun# an/thin' /et? I mean, are /ou fin#in' "hat /ou expecte#?% *art/ smile# as he listene#. She "asnt as&in' about paternit/. She "as "orrie# about somethin' else the/ mi'ht fin#. $Well actuall/, *rs. WellerC% $;es?%

$There #oes seem to be a sli'ht complication. Nothin' important.% $What &in# of a complication?% $The 'enetics lab foun# traces of an unusual chemical in *r. Wellers tissues. Its probabl/ a lab error, contamination.% $What &in# of a chemical?% $I onl/ mention it because I &no" /ou "ante# /our husban# to have his final rest as soon as possible.% $Thats ri'ht. I "ant him left un#isturbe#,% she sai#. $8f course. I "oul# hate to see his final rest #ela/e# for #a/s, or even "ee&s,% *art/ sai#, $"hile =uestions "ere as&e# about this chemical an# ho" it came to be foun# in his bo#/. Because even if it is a lab error, ever/thin' from this point on is re=uire# as a matter of la", *rs. Weller. I shoul#nt even be ma&in' this call to /ou. But ICI 'uess I feel responsible. )s I sa/, I# hate to see /our husban#s final rest #ela/e# for somethin' li&e a coroners in=uest.% $I un#erstan#,% she sai#. $8f course I "oul# never a#vise /ou to #o an/thin' but follo" the la", *rs. Weller. But I sense# that #isinterment of /our husban# "as an emotionall/ exhaustin' experience for /ouC% $;esC/esC% $)n# if /ou #i#nt "ant the further emotional exhaustion of reintermentto sa/ nothin' of the expense/ou mi'ht elect a less emotional solution. )n# less expensive, if /ou "ere short of fun#sC;ou have the ri'ht to or#er the bo#/ cremate#.% $I #i#nt reali1e that,% she sai#. $Im sure /ou never ima'ine# that ta&in' /our husban#s bo#/ out of the 'roun# "oul# be so traumatic.% $No, I #i#nt.% $;ou mi'ht #eci#e not to put /ourself throu'h it a'ain.% $Thats @ust ho" I feel,% she sai#. *art/ thou'ht, Ill bet /ou #o. $8f course, if /ou &ne" there "as 'oin' to be an investi'ation, /ou "oul# not be permitte# to cremate the bo#/. 3ertainl/ I "oul# never su''est /ou cremate. But /ou mi'ht #eci#e on cremation /ourself, for /our o"n reasons. )n# if that happene# soon later to#a/, or tomorro" mornin'then it "oul# @ust be one of those thin's. The bo#/ "as

unfortunatel/ cremate# before the in=uest "as calle#.% $I un#erstan#.% $I have to 'o,% he sai#. $I appreciate /our ta&in' the time to call me,% she sai#. $Was there an/thin' else?% $No, thats ever/thin',% he sai#. $Than& /ou, *rs. Weller.% $;oure "elcome, Br. oberts.% 3lic&. *art/ oberts leane# bac& in his chair. 0e "as ver/ please# "ith ho" that call ha# 'one. Ver/ please# in#ee#. +ust one more thin', for the moment, remaine# to be #one.

$:ifth,:loor (ab. This is +ennie.% $+ennie, this is Br. oberts #o"n in -atholo'/. I nee# /ou to chec& on a lab result for me.% $Is it stat, Br. oberts?% $No, its an ol# test. Tox screen that "as or#ere# ei'ht #a/s a'o. -atient name is Weller.% 0e rea# off the serial number. There "as a brief pause. 0e hear# the clic&in' of &e/s. $+ohn +. Weller? White male, a'e fort/, six?% $;es.% $We #i# a full,panel tox screen at three thirt/,seven a.m. on Sun#a/, *a/ ei'hth. Tox screen an#, uh, nine other tests.% $)n# /ou &ept the bloo# sample?% $;es, Im sure "e #i#. We &eep all tissues these #a/s.% $Woul# /ou chec& for me?% $Br. oberts, these #a/s "e &eep ever/thin'. We even &eep the heel stic& car#s "henever a chil# is born. Its -<. testin' re=uire# b/ la", but "e &eep the car#s an/"a/. We &eep cor# bloo#.

We &eep placenta tissue. We &eep sur'ical excisions. We &eep ever/thin'% $I un#erstan#, but "oul# /ou min# chec&in'?% $I can see its re'istere# ri'ht here on m/ screen,% she sai#. $We have the fro1en sample store# in free1er loc&er B,V. Itll be ta&en to the offsite stora'e at the en# of the month.% $Im sorr/,% *art/ sai#. $But this involves a potential le'al issue. Woul# /ou ph/sicall/ chec& to ma&e sure the sample is "here its suppose# to be?% $8f course. Ill sen# somebo#/ #o"n there an# call /ou bac&.% $Than& /ou, +ennie.% 0e hun' up an# leane# bac& in his chair a'ain. Throu'h the 'lass "all, he "atche# a1a scrubbin' #o"n a steel table, in preparation for the next autops/. a1a #i# a thorou'h @ob of cleanin'. *art/ 'ave him that> The 'u/ "as thorou'h. 0e pai# attention to #etails. Which meant that he "as not above chan'in' the hospital #atabase to in#icate the stora'e of a nonexistent sample. Either he #i# it, or he ha# someone #o it for him. The phone ran'. $Br. oberts? Its +ennie.% $;es, +ennie.% $Im afrai# I spo&e too soon. The sample for Weller is thirt/ ccs of venous bloo#, fro1en. But its not in B,V9 it seems to have been misplace#. I have a trace on it no". I "ill let /ou &no" as soon as its foun#. Was there an/thin' else?% $No,% *art/ sai#. $Than& /ou ver/ much, +ennie.% 30545 :inall/7 Ellis (evine foun# his mother on the secon# floor of the -olo alph (auren store on *a#ison an# Sevent/,secon#, @ust as she came out of the #ressin' room. She "as "earin' "hite linen pants an# a colorful "raparoun# top. She steppe# in front of the mirror, turnin' this "a/ an# that. Then she sa" him. $0ello, #ear,% she sai#. $What #o /ou thin&?% $*om,% he sai#. $What are /ou #oin' here?% $Bu/in' m/ cruise "ar#robe, #ear.%

$But /oure not 'oin' on a cruise,% Ellis sai#. $8h /es,% his mother sai#. $We ta&e a cruise ever/ /ear. Bo /ou li&e the cuffs on the trousers?% $*omC% She fro"ne# an# fluffe# her "hite hair absentl/. $)n# Im not sure about this top,% she sai#. $Boes it ma&e me loo& li&e a fruit sala#?% $We have to tal&,% Ellis sai#. $!oo#. Bo /ou have time for lunch?% $No, *om. I have to 'et bac& to the office.% Ellis "as an accountant for an a#vertisin' a'enc/. 0e ha# left the office an# hurrie# upto"n because he ha# 'otten a panic call from his brother. 0e "al&e# over to his mother an# sai# =uietl/, $*om, /ou cant shop no".% $Bont be sill/, #ear.% $*om, "e ha# a famil/ meetin'C% Ellis an# his t"o brothers ha# met "ith his parents the "ee&en# before. ) #ifficult, painful meetin' at the house in Scars#ale. 0is father "as sixt/, three. 0is mother fift/,nine. The brothers ha# 'one over the finances "ith them. $;ou cant be serious,% she sai# to him no". $I am.% 0e s=uee1e# her arm. $Ellis +acob (evine,% she sai#, $/ou are bein' inappropriate.% $*om, Ba# lost his @ob.% $I &no", but "e have plent/% $)n# his pension tan&e#.% $Its onl/ temporar/.% $No, *om, it is not temporar/.% $But "e have al"a/s ha# plent/ of% $Not an/more. ;ou #ont. Not an/more.% She 'lare# at him. $;our father an# I tal&e#, after /ou bo/s left. 0e sai# "e "oul# be fine. )ll that business about sellin' the house an# the +a'. Thats all ri#iculous.%

$Ba# sai# that?% $0e certainl/ #i#.% Ellis si'he#. $0e "as tr/in' to &eep /ou from "orr/in'.% $Im not "orrie#. )n# he loves that +a'. ;our father al"a/s 'ets a ne" +a' ever/ /ear. Ever since /ou "ere babies.% The salespeople "ere starin' at them. Ellis steere# his mother off to one si#e. $*om, thin's have chan'e#.% $8h, please. % Ellis loo&e# a"a/ from his mothers face. 0e coul# not meet her e/es. )ll his life he ha# loo&e# up to his parents> the/ "ere successful, stable, soli#. 0e an# his brothers ha# their ups an# #o"ns his ol#er brother "as alrea#/ #ivorce#, for !o#s sa&ebut his parents "ere from an earlier 'eneration that "as stable. ;ou coul# count on them. Even "hen his father lost his @ob, nobo#/ "orrie#. True, at his a'e, there "as no chance he "oul# 'et another. But the/ ha# investments, stoc&s, lan# in *ontana an# the 3aribbean, an ample pension. There "as no reason to "orr/. 0is parents #i# not chan'e their lifest/le. The/ continue# to entertain, travel, spen#. But no" he an# his brothers "ere pa/in' the mort'a'e in Scars#ale. )n# tr/in' to sell the con#o in 3harlotte )malie, an# the to"n house in Vail. $*om,% he sai#, $Ive 'ot t"o &i#s in preschool. +eff has one in first 'ra#e. ;ou &no" "hat it costs, private school in the cit/? )aron has alimon/. We have lives of our o"n. We cant &eep pa/in' for /ours.% $;ou are not pa/in' for me or /our father, % she snappe#. $;es, "e are, *om. )n# I am tellin' /ou that /ou cannot bu/ these clothes. -lease. !o bac& an# ta&e them off.% Su##enl/, to his horror, she burst into tears, thro"in' her han#s over her face. $Imso afrai#, % she sai#. $What "ill happen to us?% 0er bo#/ shoo&. 0e put his arm aroun# her. $Itll be fine,% he sai# 'entl/. $!o 'et #resse#. Ill ta&e /ou to lunch.% $But /ou #ont have time. % She "as sobbin' no". $;ou sai# so /ourself.% $Its o&a/. Well have lunch, *om. Well 'o to the 3arl/le. Itll be fine.%

She sniffle# an# "ipe# her e/es. She hea#e# bac& to the #ressin' room, hea# hi'h. Ellis flippe# open his phone, calle# his office to sa/ he "oul# be late. 3054E )t the 3on'ressional Biotechnolo'/ -ra/er Brea&fast in Washin'ton, Br. obert Bellarmino "aite# impatientl/ for his intro#uction to en#. 3on'ressman 0enr/ Waters, famousl/ lon', "in#e#, #rone# on. $Br. Bellarmino is &no"n to all of us,% he sai#, $as a ph/sician "ith a conscience, a man of science an# a man of !o#, a man of principle in an a'e of expe#ienc/, a man of rectitu#e in a he#onistic era "here an/thin' 'oes, especiall/ on *TV. Br. Bellarmino is not onl/ a #irector of the National Institutes of 0ealth, but also a la/ pastor of the Thomas :iel# Baptist 3hurch of 0ouston an# the author of Turnin' -oints, his boo& of spiritual a"a&enin' to the healin' messa'e of +esus 3hrist 8ur (or#. )n# I &no""ell, hes loo&in' at me, an# he has to be at the con'ressional hearin' room in one hour, so let me present, our man of !o# an# science, Br. obert ). Bellarmino.% 0an#some an# assure#, Bellarmino steppe# to the lectern. 0is topic, accor#in' to the printe# sche#ule, "as $!o#s -lan for *an&in# in !enetic Science.% $*/ than&s to 3on'ressman Waters, an# to all of /ou for comin' to#a/. Some of /ou ma/ "on#er ho" a scientistespeciall/ a 'enetic scientistcan reconcile his "or& "ith the "or# of !o#. But as Benis )lexan#er points out, the Bible remin#s us that !o#, the .niversal 3reator, is separate from 0is creation but that 0e also activel/ sustains it moment to moment. Thus !o# is the creator of BN), "hich un#erlies the bio#iversit/ of our planet. That ma/ be "h/ some critics of 'enetic en'ineerin' sa/ "e shoul#nt #o it, because it involves pla/in' !o#. Some ecolo'ical #octrines hol# a similar vie", that nature is sacre# an# inviolable. Such beliefs are of course pa'an. % Bellarmino pause#, lettin' his au#ience savor the "or#. 0e consi#ere# sa/in' more about pa'an beliefs, particularl/ the pantheistic nature "orship that some calle# $3alifornia cosmolo'/.% But not to#a/, he thou'ht. -ress on. $The Bible tells us clearl/, in !enesis E>4G an# 4>EM, that !o# has 'iven human bein's the tas&, the responsibilit/ to care for the earth an# all the creatures on it. We are not pla/in' !o#. We are ans"erable to !o# if "e are not responsible ste"ar#s of "hat !o# has 'iven us in all its ma@est/ an# bio#iversit/. This is our !o#,'iven assi'nment. Weare the ste"ar#s of the planet. $!enetic en'ineerin' uses the tools the 3reator has 'iven us to carr/ out 'oo# "or&s on the planet. .nprotecte# crops are eaten b/ pests, or #ie of frost an# #rou'ht. !enetic mo#ification can prevent that, use less crop acrea'e, leave more untouche# "il#erness, an# still fee# the hun'r/. !enetic en'ineerin' allo"s us to #istribute the munificence of !o# to all 0is creatures as 0e "oul# "ant. !eneticall/ mo#ifie# or'anisms ma&e pure insulin for #iabetics, pure clottin' factors for hemophiliacs. -reviousl/ these patients often #ie# of contamination. Surel/ for us to create this purit/ is !o#s "or&. Who "ill sa/ it is not?

$3ritics char'e that 'enetic en'ineerin' is unnatural, because it chan'es the ver/ essence of an or'anism, its #eep an# profoun# nature. That i#ea is !ree& an# pa'an. But the plain fact is that #omestication of plants an# animals, as practice# for thousan#s of /ears, #oes chan'e the #eep an# profoun# nature of an or'anism. ) #omestic #o' is no lon'er a "olf. 3orn is no lon'er a stunte#, lar'el/ ine#ible "ee#. !enetic en'ineerin' is simpl/ another step in this lon',accepte# tra#ition. It #oes not mar& a ra#ical #eparture from the past. $Sometimes "e hear that "e shoul#nt chan'e BN), perio#. But "h/ not? BN) is not fixe#. BN) chan'es over time. )n# BN) interacts constantl/ "ith our #ail/ existence. Shoul# "e tell athletes not to lift "ei'hts, because it "ill chan'e the si1e of their muscles? Shoul# "e tell stu#ents not to rea# boo&s, because that "ill chan'e the structure of their #evelopin' min#s? 8f course not. 8ur bo#ies are constantl/ chan'in', an# our BN) "ith them. $But more #irectl/there are five hun#re# 'enetic #iseases that can, potentiall/, be cure# b/ 'ene therap/. *an/ of these #iseases cause terrible sufferin' in chil#ren, earl/ an# a'oni1in' #eath. 8ther #iseases han' over a persons life li&e a prison sentence9 the person must "ait for the #isease to come an# stri&e him #o"n. Shoul# "e not cure these #iseases if "e can? Shoul# "e not alleviate sufferin' "henever "e can? If so, "e must chan'e BN). Simple as that. $So #o "e mo#if/ BN) or not? Is this !o#s "or& or mans hubris? These are not #ecisions to be ta&en li'htl/. )n# so it is "ith that most sensitive sub@ect, the use of 'erm cells an# embr/os. *an/ in the +u#eo,3hristian tra#ition are une=uivocall/ oppose# to embr/o use. But such vie"s "ill, eventuall/, conflict "ith the 'oal of healin' the sic& an# alleviatin' sufferin'. Not this /ear, not next /ear, but the time "ill come. 3areful thou'ht an# much pra/er are nee#e# to arrive at our ans"er. 8ur (or# +esus ma#e men "al& a'ain. Boes that mean "e shoul# not #o li&e"ise, if "e can? It is most #ifficult, for "e &no" mans hubris ta&es man/ formsnot onl/ overreachin', but also stubbornl/ hol#in' bac&. We are put here to reflect the 'lor/ of !o# in all 0is "or&s, an# not the "illful e'o of man. I, m/self, have no ans"er as I stan# before /ou to#a/. I confess I am trouble# in m/ heart. $But I have faith that !o# shall lea# us, in the en#, to the "orl# that 0e "ants for us. I have faith that "e shall be 'ui#e# to "is#om, that "e shall be cautious, an# that "e shall not be "illful in ten#in' 0is "or&s, 0is sufferin' chil#ren, an# all the creatures in 0is creation. )n# for this I pra/, most humbl/, in the name of !o#. )men.% The speech "or&e#, of courseit al"a/s "or&e#. Bellarmino ha# been 'ivin' it in various versions for a #eca#e, an# each time, he pushe# for"ar# a little har#er, spo&e a little more firml/. :ive /ears a'o, he #i# not use the "or#embr/o. No" he #i#, cautiousl/ an# briefl/. 0e "as la/in' the 'roun#"or&. 0e "as 'ettin' them thin&in'. The thou'ht of sufferin' ma#e them uneas/. So #i# the thou'ht of enablin' the cripple# to "al& a'ain. 8f course, no one &ne" "hether that "oul# ever happen. -ersonall/, Bellarmino #oubte# it ever "oul#. But let them thin& it "as comin'. (et them "orr/. The/ shoul#> the sta&es "ere hi'h an# the pace of a#vance roc&et,fast. )n/ research that Washin'ton bloc&e# "oul# ta&e place in Shan'hai, or Seoul, or SWo -aulo. )n# Bellarmino, s&ille# an# sanctimonious, inten#e# to ma&e sure that never occurre#. Nothin', in short, that "oul# interfere "ith his lab, his research, an# his

reputation. 0e "as ver/ 'oo# at protectin' all three.

)n hour later, in the "oo#,panele# hearin' room, Bellarmino 'ave testimon/ before the 0ouse Select 3ommittee on !enetics an# 0ealth. The hearin' ha# been calle# to consi#er "hether it "as appropriate for the patent office to 'rant patents for human 'enes. Thousan#s of such patents ha# alrea#/ been issue#. Was this a 'oo# i#ea? $There is no =uestion "e have a problem,% Br. Bellarmino sai#, not loo&in' at his notes. 0e ha# memori1e# his testimon/ so he coul# #eliver it "hile facin' the television cameras, for 'reater impact. $!ene patentsb/ in#ustr / pose a si'nificant problem for future research. 8n the other han#, 'ene patentin' b/ aca#emic researchers causes far less concern, since the "or& is freel/ share#.% 8f course this "as nonsense. Br. Bellarmino #i# not mention that the #istinction bet"een aca#emic an# in#ustr/ "or&ers ha# lon' since been blurre#. T"ent/ percent of aca#emic researchers "ere pai# b/ in#ustr/. Ten percent of aca#emics #i# #ru' #evelopment. *ore than E5 percent ha# a pro#uct alrea#/ on the mar&et. *ore than F5 percent ha# applie# for patents in the course of their careers. Nor #i# Bellarmino mention that he, too, pursue# 'ene patents a''ressivel/. In the last four /ears, his laborator/ ha# file# MV4 patent applications coverin' a "i#e spectrum of con#itions, from )l1heimers an# schi1ophrenia to manic #epression, anxiet/, an# attention,#eficit #isor#ers. 0e ha# secure# patents for #o1ens of 'enes for specific metabolic #isor#ers, ran'in' from #eficienc/ of l,th/rox/,h/#rocambrine Hassociate# "ith restless le' #isor#er of sleepI to an excess of para,amino,4, F,#ih/#rox/benthamine Hcausin' urinar/ fre=uenc/ in sleepI. $0o"ever,% Br. Bellarmino sai#, $I can assure this committee that 'ene patentin' in 'eneral is a s/stem that serves the common 'oo#. 8ur proce#ures to protect intellectual propert/ "or& "ell. Important research is protecte#, an# the consumer, the )merican patient, is the beneficiar/ of our efforts.% 0e #i# not tell them that more than four thousan# BN),base# patents "ere 'rante# each /ear t"o ever/ hour of each "or&in' #a/. Since there "ere onl/ thirt/,five thousan# 'enes in the human 'enome, most experts estimate# that more than 45 percent of the 'enome "as alrea#/ privatel/ o"ne#. Bellarmino #i# not point out that the bi''est patent o"ner "as not some in#ustrial 'iant but the .niversit/ of 3alifornia. .3 o"ne# more 'ene patents than -fi1er, *erc&, (ill/, an# W/eth combine#. The/ o"ne# more patents than the ..S. 'overnment. $The notion that someone o"ns part of the human 'enome stri&es some people as unusual,% Bellarmino sai#. $But its "hat ma&es )merica 'reat an# &eeps our innovation stron'. True, it causes the occasional 'litch, but over time, all that "ill 'et resolve#. !ene patentin' is the "a/ to 'o.%

)t the conclusion of his testimon/, Br. Bellarmino left the hearin' an# hea#e# for ea'an )irport, "here he "oul# fl/ bac& to 8hio, to resume his research on the $novelt/ 'ene,% research bein' con#ucte# at an amusement par& there. Bellarmino ha# a film cre" from65 *inutes follo"in' him aroun#, puttin' to'ether a se'ment that "oul# sho" his varie# an# important 'enetic research, an# also tell his personal stor/. Time spent in 8hio "as a si'nificant part of the final film. Because there he interacte# "ith or#inar/ people, an# as the filmma&ers sai#, the human touch "as "hat "as reall/ important, especiall/ "ith a man of science, an# especiall/ on television. *assachusetts 8ffice of .niversit/ Technolo'/ Transfer !8VE N*ENT 3ENTE , B8ST8N :or Imme#iate elease S3IENTISTS ! 8W *INI)T. E E) IN ()B :irst $-artial (ife :orm% at *IT -ossible )pplications in 0earin' Technolo'/ *IT scientists have 'ro"n a human ear in tissue culture for the first time.

)ustralian performance artist Stelarc collaborate# "ith labs at the *assachusetts Institute of Technolo'/ to pro#uce an extra ear for himself. The ear "as one,=uarter scale, sli'htl/ lar'er than a bottle cap. The tissue ta&en from Stelarc "as culture# in a rotatin' micro,'ravit/ bioreactor "hile 'ro"in'.

*IT issue# a statement that the extra ear coul# be consi#ere# $a partial life formpartl/ constructe# an# partl/ 'ro"n.% The ear fits comfortabl/ in the palm of the han#.

(ast /ear, the same *IT lab ma#e stea&s of fro' tissue 'ro"n over biopol/mer mesh. The/ ha# also 'ro"n stea& from the cells of an unborn sheep. )n# the/ create# "hat the/ referre# to as $victimless leather.% This "as s&in that ha# been artificiall/ 'ro"n in the laborator/ an# "as suitable for shoes, purses, belts, an# other leather 'oo#spresumabl/ "ith an e/e to the robust ve'an mar&et.

Several hearin',ai# companies have opene# tal&s "ith *IT about licensin' their ear,ma&in'

technolo'/. )ccor#in' to 'eneticist Sac& abi, $)s the )merican population a'es, man/ senior citi1ens ma/ prefer to 'ro" sli'htl/ enlar'e#, 'eneticall/ mo#ifie# ears, rather than rel/ on hearin',ai# technolo'/. ) spo&esperson for )u#ion, the hearin',ai# compan/, note#, $Were not tal&in' about Bumbo ears. +ust a small increase of 45 percent in pinna si1e "oul# #ouble au#itor/ efficienc/. We thin& the mar&et for enlar'e# ears is hu'e. When lots of people have them, no one "ill notice an/more. We believe bi' ears "ill become the ne" stan#ar#, li&e silicon breast implants.% 30544 It "as a ba# #a/ for *art/ oberts, ma#e much "orse b/ a phone call from Emil/ Weller> $Br. oberts, Im callin' /ou from the mortuar/. It seems theres a problem "ith m/ husban#s cremation.% $What &in# of problem?% *art/ oberts sai#, sittin' in his office in the patholo'/ lab. $The/re sa/in' the/ cant cremate m/ +ac& if he contains metal.% $*etal? What #o /ou mean, metal? ;our husban# #i#nt have an/ hip replacements or "ar in@uries, #i# he?% $No, no. The/ are sa/in' that his arms an# le's have metal pipes in them. )n# the bones have been remove#.% $ eall/.% *art/ stoo# up in his chair an# snappe# his fin'ers in the air, 'ettin' a1as attention in the autops/ room outsi#e. $I "on#er ho" that coul# have happene#.% $I "as callin' to as& /ou the same thin'.% $I #ont &no" "hat to sa/. Its =uite be/on# me, *rs. Weller. I must sa/, Im shoc&e#.% B/ then a1a ha# come in the room. $Im 'oin' to put /ou on spea&er, *rs. Weller, so I can ma&e some notes as "e spea&. )re /ou "ith /our husban# at the crematorium no"?% $;es,% she sai#. $)n# the/ are sa/in' he has lea# pipes in his arms an# le's, so the/ cant cremate him.% $I see,% *art/ sai#, loo&in' at a1a. a1a shoo& his hea#. 0e scra"le# on a pa#, We @ust too& one le'. -ut in "oo# #o"el. *art/ sai#, $*rs. Weller, I cant ima'ine ho" this mi'ht have happene#. There ma/ have to be an in=uir/. I am concerne# that the funeral home, or perhaps the cemeter/, ma/ have #one

somethin' improper.% $Well,% she sai#, $the/ sa/ he has to be reburie#. But the/ also sa/ ma/be I shoul# call the police, because it loo&s li&e his bones "ere stolen. But I #ont "ant to 'o throu'h the or#eal of the police an# ever/thin'.% ) lon', pre'nant pause. $What #o /ou thin&, Br. oberts?% $*rs. Weller,% he sai#, $let me call /ou ri'ht bac&.% *art/ oberts hun' up the phone. $;ou #umb fuc&7 I tol# /ou> Woo#, al"a/s "oo#7% $I &no" it,% a1a sai#. $We #i#nt #o that lea# @ob. I s"ear "e #i#nt. We al"a/s use "oo#.% $(ea# pipeC% *art/ sai#, sha&in' his hea#. $Thats cra1/.% $It "asnt us, *art/. I s"ear it "asnt us. *ust have been those bastar#s at the cemeter/. ;ou &no" ho" eas/ it is. The/ hol# the ceremon/, the famil/ shovels a little #irt, an# ever/bo#/ 'oes home. 3offin isnt burie#. The/ #ont #o the actual burial sometimes for a #a/ or so. That ni'ht, the/ come in, ta&e the bones. ;ou &no" ho" it "or&s.% $0o" #o /ou &no"?% *art/ sai#, 'larin' at him. $Because, one time last /ear, "oman calls, her husban# is burie# "ith the "e##in' rin', an# she "ants the rin'. Wants to &no" if "e too& it off him for the autops/. I sai# "e #i#nt have an/ effects, but I "oul# call the cemeter/. )n# the/ ha#nt burie# him /et, an# she 'ot the rin' bac&.% *art/ oberts sat #o"n. $(oo&,% he sai#, $if there is an investi'ation, if the/ start loo&in' at ban& accountsC% $No, no. Trust me.% $Thats a lau'h.% $*art/, Im tellin' /ou. We #i#nt #o it. No metal pipe. No.% $8&a/. I hear# /ou. I @ust #ont believe /ou.% a1a tappe# the #es&. $;ou# better use the prescription "ith her.% $I "ill. No" 'et out of here "hile I call her bac&.%

a1a crosse# the autops/ room an# "ent into the chan'in' room. No one "as there. 0e #iale# his cell phone. $+esu,% he sai#. $What the fuc& /ou #oin', man? ;ou put lea# pipes in that car crash 'u/. Shit, *art/s ma#. The/re tr/in' to cremate the #u#e, hes 'ot lea# pipes in himC

*an, ho" man/ times #o I have to tell /ou? .se "oo#7%

$*rs. Weller,%*art/ oberts sai#, $I thin& /ou better rebur/ /our husban#. That seems to be /our onl/ option.% $;ou mean, unless I 'o to the police. )bout the stolen bones.% $I cant tell /ou "hat to #o,% he sai#. $;oull have to #eci#e the best course of action. But Im sure a prolon'e# police investi'ation "ill turn up a prescription in /our name for ethacr/nic aci# from (on'"oo# -harmac/, on *otor Brive.% $That "as for m/ personal use.% $8h, I &no" that. Its @ust a =uestion of ho" ethacr/nic aci# happene# to en# up in /our husban#s bo#/. That coul# be a"&"ar#.% $;our hospital lab has foun# traces of that?% $;es, but I am sure the hospital "oul# stop the lab "or& as soon as /ou #roppe# /our la"suit a'ainst them. (et me &no" "hat /ou #eci#e to #o, *rs. Weller. !oo#,b/e for no".% 0e hun' up an# loo&e# at the thermometer in the autops/ room. The temperature "as MT #e'rees. But *art/ "as s"eatin'.

$I "as "on#erin' "hen /ou# sho" up,% *arilee 0unter sai#, in the 'enetics lab. She #i#nt loo& happ/. $I# li&e to &no" exactl/ "hat part /ou pla/e# in all this.% $In all "hat?% he sai#. $<evin *c3ormic& calle# to#a/. Theres another la"suit from that Weller famil/. This time its the son of the #ecease#, Tom Weller. The one "ho "or&s for a biotech compan/.% $Whats his suit about?% $I "as onl/ follo"in' protocol,% *arilee sai#. $.h,huhCWhats the suit about?% $)pparentl/ his health insurance "as cancele#.% $Because?%

$0is father has the BNB VE 'ene for heart #isease.% $0e #oes? That ma&es no sense. The 'u/ "as a health nut.% $0e ha# the 'ene. Boesnt mean it "as expresse#. We foun# it in the tissues. )n# that fact "as #ul/ note#. The insurance compan/ pic&e# it up an# cancele# the son as Apre,ill.% $0o" #i# the/ 'et the information?% $Its online,% she sai#. $Its online ?% $This is a le'al in=uir/,% she sai#. $.n#er state la" its all #iscoverable. Were re=uire# to post all lab fin#in's to an :T- a##ress. In theor/ its pass"or#,protecte#, but an/one can 'et to it.% $;ou put 'enetic #ata online ?% $Not ever/ones #ata. +ust the la"suits. )n/"a/, the son is sa/in' he #i# not authori1e the release of 'enetic information about himself, "hich is true. But if "e release the fathers information, as "ere re=uire# b/ state la" to #o, "e also release the sons, "hich "ere re=uire# b/ la"not to #o. Because his chil#ren share half the same 'enes as the father. 8ne "a/ or another, "e brea& the la".% She si'he#. $Tom Weller "ants his insurance bac&, but he "ont 'et it.% *art/ oberts leane# a'ainst the #es&. $So "here #oes it stan#?% $*r. Weller sue# me alon' "ith the hospital. (e'al is insistin' this lab no lon'er touches an/ material from the Wellers.% *arilee 0unter sniffe#. $Were off the case.% 8ff the case7 No more investi'ation, no #i''in' up the bo#/7 *art/ oberts felt nothin' but relief, althou'h he #i# his best to appear #istresse#. $Its so unfair,% he sai#, $the "a/ la"/ers @ust run our societ/.% $Boesnt matter. Its over, *art/,% she sai#. $Its #one.%

*art/ "ent bac& to the patholo'/ lab later that #a/. $ a1a,% he sai#, $one of us has to leave this lab.% $I &no",% a1a sai#. $)n# Im 'oin' to miss /ou, *art/.% $What #o /ou mean?% $I 'ot a ne" @ob,% he sai#, smilin'. $0amilton 0ospital in San :rancisco. Their #iener @ust ha# a

heart attac&. I start #a/ after tomorro". So "ith pac&in' an# ever/thin', this is m/ last #a/ on the @ob.% *art/ oberts stare#. $Well,% he sai#. 0e #i#nt &no" "hat else to sa/. $I &no" /ou 'et t"o "ee&s,% a1a sai#, $but I tol# the hospital this "as a special case an# /ou "oul# un#erstan#. B/ the "a/, I have a 'u/ "ho "oul# be a 'oo# replacement. 0es a frien# of mine, +esu. Ver/ 'oo# 'u/. Wor&s in a funeral home ri'ht no", so it "oul# not be a bi' transition.% $Ill meet "ith him,% *art/ sai#. $But I thin& ma/be I "ill pic& m/ o"n 'u/.% $0e/, sure, no problem,% a1a sai#. 0e shoo& han#s "ith *art/. $Than&s for ever/thin', Br. oberts.% $;ou remembere#.% *art/ smile#. a1a turne# an# left the lab. 3054K +osh Win&ler "as starin' out his office "in#o" that overloo&e# the reception area at Bio!en. Thin's "ere up in the air. +oshs assistant, Tom Weller, ha# ta&en the "ee& off because his father ha# #ie# in a car crash in (on' Beach. )n# no" there "as a problem "ith his health insurance, as "ell. Which meant +osh ha# to "or& "ith another assistant, "ho #i#nt &no" the routines. 8utsi#e, repair cre"s "ere fixin' the surveillance cameras in the par&in' lot. )t the reception #es& belo", Bra# !or#on "as a'ain chattin' up the beautiful (isa. +osh si'he#. What &in# of @uice #i# Bra# have, that he coul# #o "hatever he "ante#, inclu#in' chasin' the bosss trim? Because Bra# "as clearl/ never 'oin' to be fire#. (isa ha# beautiful breasts. $+osh? )re /ou listenin' to me?% $;es, *om.% $Is somethin' on /our min#?% $No, *om.% :rom above, he coul# loo& #o"n at (isas scoop,nec& blouse, "hich reveale# the smooth contours of her firm breasts. .n#oubte#l/ too firm, but that #i#nt bother +osh. Ever/bo#/ an# ever/thin' "as sur'icall/ enhance# these #a/s. Inclu#in' 'u/s. Even 'u/s in their t"enties "ere 'ettin' face,lifts an# penile implants. $Then "hat about it?% his mother sai#.

$What? Sorr/, *om. What "ere /ou sa/in'?% $)bout the (evines. */ cousins.% $I #ont &no". Where #o the/ live a'ain?% $Scars#ale, #ear.% 0e remembere# no". The (evine famil/ ha# parents that spent too much. $*om, this is not le'al.% $;ou "ent an# #i# it to (oiss bo/. ;ou #i# it /ourself.% $Thats true.% But he ha# onl/ #one it because he thou'ht nobo#/ "oul# ever catch him. $)n# no" that bo/ has =uit #ru's an# is "or&in'.)t a ban&, +osh. )ban&. % $)s "hat?% $I #ont &no", a teller or somethin'.% $Thats 'reat, *om.% $Its more than 'reat,% his mother sai#. $This spra/ of /ours coul# be a real mone/ma&er, +osh. Its the #ru' ever/bo#/ "ants. ;ou coul# finall/ ma&e somethin' of /ourself.% $Nice, *om.% $;ou &no" "hat I mean. The spra/ coul# be 'reat.% She pause#. $But /ou nee# to &no" ho" it affects ol#er people, #ont /ou.% 0e si'he#. It "as true. $;esC% $Thats "h/ the (evines mi'ht "or& out for /ou.% $8&a/,% he sai#, $Ill tr/ to 'et a canister.% $:or both parents?% $;es, *om. :or both.% 0e flippe# the phone shut. 0e "as contemplatin' "hat, exactl/, he shoul# #o about thisan# #eci#in' to #o somethin' else entirel/"hen he hear# the soun# of sirens. ) moment later t"o blac&,an#,"hite police cars pulle# up in front of the buil#in'. :our cops pile# out of the cars, entere# the buil#in', an# "al&e# ri'ht up to Bra#, "ho still leane# on the counter tal&in' to (isa.

$)re /ou Bra#le/ ). !or#on?% ) moment later, one spun him aroun#, pulle# his arms bac&, an# han#cuffe# him. 0ol/ shit, +osh thou'ht.

Bra# "as bello"in'.$What the hell is this? What the hell is this7% $*r. !or#on, /ou are un#er arrest for a''ravate# assault an# rape of a minor.% $What?% $;ou have the ri'ht to remain silent% $What?% 0e "as shoutin'. $What minor? !o##amn it, I #ont &no" an/ fuc&in' minor.% The cop stare# at him. $8&a/, "ait"ron' "or#7 I #ont &no" an/ minor7% $I thin& /ou #o, sir.% $;ou 'u/s are ma&in' one bi',ass mista&e7% Bra# sai#, as the/ starte# to lea# him a"a/. $+ust come "ith us, sir.% $Im 'oin' to sue /our frea&in' asses off7% $This "a/, sir,% the/ sai#. )n# he "ent throu'h the #oors to the sunli'ht outsi#e.

When Bra#ha# 'one, +osh loo&e# over at the other people stan#in' at the railin'. 0alf the office "as loo&in' #o"n, tal&in', "hisperin'. )n# at the far en# of the balcon/, he sa" ic& Biehl, the hea# of the compan/. +ust stan#in' there, "ith his han#s in his poc&ets. Watchin' the "hole thin' pla/ out. If Biehl "as upset, he certainl/ #i#nt sho" it. 3054F

Bra# !or#on fro"ne# unhappil/ at the toilet in his @ail cell. ) strip of #amp toilet paper clun' to the si#e of the metal bo"l. There "as a pu##le of bro"nish li=ui# in front of the seat. It ha# flec&s of stuff floatin' in it. Bra# "ante# to pee, but he "asnt 'oin' to step in that li=ui#, "hatever the hell it "as. 0e #i#nt even li&e to thin& about it. ) &e/ turne# in the loc& behin# him. 0e stoo#. The #oor s"un' open. $!or#on? (ets 'o.% $What is it?% $)ttorne/s here.% The cop pushe# Bra# #o"n a hall"a/ an# into a small room. There "as an ol#er man in a pinstripe suit an# a /oun'er &i# in a Bo#'ers @ac&et, sittin' at a table "ith a laptop. The &i# ha# thic& horn,rim 'lasses, "hich ma#e him loo& li&e an o"l, or 0arr/ -otter or somethin'. The/ both stoo# up, shoo& his han#. 0e #i#nt catch their names. But he &ne" the/ "ere from his uncles la" firm. $Whats 'oin' on here?% he sai#. The ol#er la"/er opene# a fol#er. $0er name is <ell/ 3hin,% he sai#. $;ou met her at a soccer 'ame, /ou came on to her% $I came on to her ?% $)n# then /ou too& her to the Westvie" -la1a 0otel, room four,thirteenC% $;ou #ont have this stor/ ri'htC% $)n# once in the room /ou ha# oral, 'enital, an# anal sex "ith her. )n# shes sixteen.% $3hrist,% he sai#. $It never happene#.% The ol#er attorne/ @ust stare# at him. $;oure in ver/ #eep shit, m/ frien#.% $Im tellin' /ou it never happene#. % $I see. The t"o of /ou "ere photo'raphe# on hotel securit/ cameras in the lobb/ an# a'ain in the elevator. 0all"a/ cameras on the fourth floor recor#e# /ou "ith *iss 3hin as /ou entere# room four,thirteen. ;ou "ere there one hour an# seven minutes. Then she left b/ herself.% $;eah, sure, but% $She "as cr/in' in the elevator.%

$What?% $She #rove to the Westvie" 3ommunit/ 0ospital an# reporte# she ha# been assaulte# an# rape#. She "as examine# at that time, an# photo'raphs "ere ta&en. She ha# va'inal tears an# contusions, an# anal tears. Semen "as obtaine# from her rectum. It is bein' anal/1e# no", but she sa/s its /ours. Is it?% $8h shit,% Bra# sai# softl/. $Its best to come clean,% the attorne/ sai#. $Tell me exactl/ "hat happene#.% $That little bitch.% $(ets be'in "ith the soccer 'ame "here /ou met her. Witnesses sa/ that /ou have been seen at 'irls soccer 'ames before. What are /ou #oin' at those 'ames, *r. !or#on?% $8h +esus,% he sai#.

Bra# tol# the stor/, but the ol#er man interrupte# a lot. It too& nearl/ half an hour to explain exactl/ "hat ha# happene#. )n# to 'et to the hotel room. $;ou sa/ this 'irl "as turne# on to /ou,% the attorne/ sai#. $;eah, she sure "as.% $There "as no &issin' or si'ns of affection in the elevator, 'oin' up.% $No, she ha# that reserve# exterior. ;ou &no", the )sian thin'.% $I see. The )sian thin'. .nfortunatel/, on the cameras it #oesnt appear that she "as an entirel/ "illin' participant.% $I thin& she 'ot col# feet,% he sai#. $When "as that?% $Well, "e "ere in the be#room ma&in' out, an# she "as &in# of hot, but also a little "eir#, /ou &no", bac&in' off. (i&e she# "ant to #o it, an# then not "ant to. But mostl/ she "as 'oin' for it. I mean, she put the rubber on me. I "as rea#/, an# she lies bac& "ith her le's open an# su##enl/ she 'oes, ANo, I #ont "ant to #o it. Im besi#e her "ith m/ pec&er stic&in' up, an# I starte# to 'et peeve#. So she sa/s shes reall/ sorr/ an# she 'oes #o"n on me, an# I come in the rubber. She "as as 'oo# as a pro, but /ou &no" /oun' chic&s to#a/. )n/"a/, she ta&es it off me, carries it into the bathroom, an# I hear her flushin' the toilet. She comes bac& "ith a hot

"ashcloth, "ipes me #o"n, sa/s shes sorr/, but she thin&s she nee#s to 'o home no". $Im li&e, he/, "hatever. Because b/ no" I fi'ure somethin's "ron' "ith this chic&. Shes &in&/ or somethin', ma/be shes a tease, I seen that beforeor mentall/ #isturbe#, in "hich case I "ant her the hell out of m/ room. So I sa/, ASure, 'o, sorr/ it "asnt comfortable for /ou. )n# she tells me ma/be I shoul# "ait a "hile before I leave. I sa/, ASure, o&a/. She leaves. I "ait. Then I left, too. )n# I s"ear,% he sai#, $thats all there "as to it.% $She never tol# /ou her a'e?% $No.% $;ou never as&e#?% $No. She sai# she "as out of hi'h school.% $Shes not. Shes a sophomore.% $8h fuc&.% ) silence. The attorne/ thumbe# throu'h the pa'es of the fol#er in front of him. $So /our stor/ is, this 'irl se#uce# /ou at the soccer 'ame, /ou too& her to a hotel room, she collecte# /our sperm in a con#om, left /ou, 'ave herself self,inflicte# 'enital in@uries, put /our sperm up her rectum, #rove to the hospital, an# reporte# a rape. Is that it?% $It ha# to be that "a/,% Bra# sai#. $Thats a #ifficult stor/, *r. !or#on.% $But it ha# to be that "a/.% $Bo /ou have an/ proof at all that /our stor/ is true?% Bra# fell silent. Thin&in'. $No,% he sai# finall/. $I #ont have an/thin'.% $Thats 'oin' to be a problem,% the attorne/ sai#.

)fter Bra# "as ta&en bac& to his cell, the attorne/ turne# to the /oun' man in the Bo#'ers @ac&et an# horn,rim 'lasses. $;ou have an/thin' to contribute here?% $;es.% 0e flippe# his screen aroun# so the senior man coul# see a series of @a''e# blac& lines. $)u#io stress meters remaine# in the normal ran'e. 0esitation patterns that in#icate prefrontal

interference "ith co'nition "ere absent at all times. The 'u/ isnt l/in'. 8r at least, hes convince# it happene# his "a/.% $Interestin',% the attorne/ sai#. $But it #oesnt matter. Theres not a chance in hell "ell ever 'et this 'u/ off.% 3054M 0enr/ <en#all par&e# in the (on' Beach *emorial par&in' lot, an# "al&e# into the si#e #oor of the hospital, carr/in' a tissue container. 0e "ent #o"n to the basement to the patholo'/ lab an# as&e# to see *art/ oberts. The/ ha# been hi'h school frien#s in *arin 3ount/. *art/ came out at once. $8h m/ !o#,% he sai#, $I hear# /our name an# I thou'ht /ou "ere #ea#7% $Not /et,% 0enr/ sai#, sha&in' his han#. $;ou loo& 'oo#.% $I loo& fat. ;ou loo& 'oo#. 0o"s (/nn?% $!oo#. <i#s are 'oo#. 0o"s +anice?% $She too& off "ith a car#iac sur'eon a couple of /ears a'o.% $Sorr/, I #i#nt &no".% $Im over it,% *art/ oberts sai#. $(ife is 'oo#. Been hectic aroun# here, but thin's are 'oo# no".% 0e smile#. $)n/"a/, arent /ou a "a/s from (a +olla? Isnt that "here /ou are no"?% $ i'ht, ri'ht. a#ial !enomics.% *art/ no##e#. $So. .hC"hats up?% $I "ant /ou to loo& at somethin',% 0enr/ <en#all sai#. $Some bloo#.% $8&a/, no problem. 3an I as& "hose it is?% $;ou can as&,% 0enr/ sai#. $But I #ont &no". I mean, Im not sure.% 0e han#e# *art/ the tissue container. It "as a small st/rofoam case, line# "ith insulation. In the center "as a tube of bloo#. *art/ sli# the tube out. $-ac&in' label sa/s, A:rom the (aborator/ of obert ). Bellarmino. 0e/, the bi' time, 0enr/.% 0e peele# it bac&, loo&e# closel/ at the ol#er label beneath. $)n# "hats this? ) number? (oo&s li&e :,E54. I cant =uite ma&e it out.% $I thin& thats ri'ht.%

*art/ stare# at his ol# frien#. $8&a/, level "ith me. What is this?% $I "ant /ou to tell me,% 0enr/ sai#. $Well, let me tell /ou strai'ht off,% *art/ sai#, $I "ont #o an/thin' ille'al. We @ust #ont #o thin's li&e that here.% $Its not ille'alC% $.h,huh. ;ou @ust #ont "ant to anal/1e it at /our lab.% $Thats ri'ht.% $So /ou #rive t"o hours up here to see me.% $*art/,% he sai#, $@ust #o it. -lease.%

*art/ oberts peere# throu'h the microscope, then a#@uste# the vi#eo screen so the/ coul# both loo&. $8&a/,% he sai#. $ e# cell morpholo'/, hemo'lobin, protein fractions, all completel/ normal. Its @ust bloo#. Whose is it?% $Is it human bloo#?% $0ell /es,% *art/ sai#. $What, /ou thin& its animal bloo#?% $Im @ust as&in'.% $Well, if its certain &in#s of ape bloo#, "e cant #istin'uish it,% *art/ sai#. $3himps an# people, "e cant tell the #ifference. Bloo#s i#entical. I remember cops arreste# a 'u/ "or&e# in the San Bie'o 1oo, covere# in bloo#. The/ thou'ht he "as a mur#erer. Turne# out to be menstrual bloo# from a female chimpan1ee. I ha# that one "hen I "as a resi#ent.% $;ou cant tell? What about sialic aci#?% $Sialic aci#s a mar&er for chimp bloo#CSo /ou thin& this is chimp bloo#?% $I #ont &no", *art/.% $We cant #o sialic aci# at our lab. No call for it. I thin& a#ial !enomics in San Bie'o can #o it, thou'h.% $Ver/ funn/.% $;ou "ant to tell me "hat this is, 0enr/?%

$No,% he sai#. $But I "ant /ou to #o a BN) test on it. )n# on me.% *art/ oberts sat bac&. $;oure ma&in' me nervous,% he sai#. $;ou 'ettin' into an/thin' &in&/?% $No, no, nothin' li&e that. It "as a research pro@ect. :rom a fe" /ears a'o.% $So /ou thin& this mi'ht be chimp bloo#. 8r /our bloo#?% $;eah.% $8r both?% $Will /ou #o the BN) test for me?% $Sure. Ill ta&e a buccal s"ab, an# 'et bac& to /ou in a fe" "ee&s.% $Than&s. 3an "e &eep this bet"een us?% $+esus,% *art/ oberts sai#, $/oure scarin' me a'ain. Sure. We can &eep it bet"een us.% 0e smile#. $Ill call /ou "hen its #one.% 30546 Were tal&in' submarines,% the patent attorne/ sai# to +osh Win&ler. $Si'nificant submarines.% $!o on,% +osh sai#, smilin'. The/ "ere in a *cBonal#s outsi#e to"n. Ever/one else in the place "as un#er seventeen. No chance that "or# of their meetin' "oul# 'et bac& to the compan/. The attorne/ sai#, $;ou ha# me search for patents or patent applications relate# to /our so,calle# maturit/ 'ene. I foun# five, 'oin' bac& to ETT5.% $.h,huh.% $T"o are submarines. Thats "hat "e call va'ue patents that are applie# for "ith the intention of lettin' them lie #ormant until somebo#/ else ma&es a #iscover/ that activates them. The classic bein' 38J, 4% $!ot it,% +osh sai#. $8l# ne"s.% The38J,4 inhibitor patent fi'ht "as famous. In 4555 the .niversit/ of ochester "as 'rante# a patent for a 'ene calle#38J,4 , "hich pro#uce# an en1/me that cause# pain. The universit/ promptl/ sue# the pharmaceutical 'iant Searle, "hich mar&ete# a successful arthritis #ru', 3elebrex, that bloc&e# the38J,4 en1/me. ochester sai# 3elebrex ha# infrin'e# on its 'ene

patent, even thou'h their patent onl/ claime# 'eneral uses of the 'ene to fi'ht pain. The universit/ ha# not claime# a patent on an/ specific #ru'. )n# that "as "hat the @u#'e pointe# out, four /ears later, "hen ochester lost. The court rule# that ochesters patent "as $little more than a research plan,% an# rule# that its claim a'ainst Searle "as invali#. But such rulin's #i# not alter the lon',stan#in' behavior of the patent office. The/ continue# to 'rant 'ene patents that inclu#e# lists of va'ue claims. ) patent mi'ht claim all uses of a 'ene to control heart #isease or pain, or to fi'ht infection. Even thou'h the courts rule# that these claims "ere meanin'less, the patent office 'rante# them an/"a/. In#ee#, the 'rants accelerate#. ;our tax #ollars at "or&. $!et to the point,% +osh sai#. The attorne/ consulte# a notepa#. $;our best can#i#ate is a patent application from ETTG for aminocarbox/muconate methal#eh/#e #eh/#ro'enase, or )3**B . The patent claims effects on neurotransmitter potentials in the cin'ulate '/rus.% $Thats the mo#e of action,% +osh sai#, $for our maturit/ 'ene.% $Exactl/. So if /ou o"ne# )3**B , /ou "oul# effectivel/ control the maturit/ 'ene because /ou "oul# control its expression. Nice, huh?% +osh sai#, $Who o"ns the )3**B patent?% The attorne/ flippe# pa'es. $-atent file# b/ a compan/ calle# !en,3o3om, base# in Ne"ton, *ass. :ile# for 3hapter EE in ETTM. )s part of the settlement, all patent apps "ent to the principal investor, 3arl Wei'an#, "ho #ie# in 4555. -atents passe# to his "i#o". She is ill "ith terminal cancer an# inten#s to 'ive all the patents to Boston *emorial 0ospital.% $3an /ou #o an/thin' about that?% $+ust sa/ the "or#,% he sai#. $Bo it,% +osh sai#, rubbin' his han#s. 3054V ic& Biehl approache# the "hole thin' li&e a research pro@ect. 0e rea# a boo& on the female or'asm. T"o boo&s, actuall/. 8ne "ith pictures. )n# he "atche# a vi#eo. 0e ran it three times, an# even too& notes. Because, one "a/ or another, he ha# s"orn he "oul# 'et a reaction from (isa. No" he "as #o"n there bet"een her le's, har# at "or& for the last half hour, his fin'ers stiff, ton'ue achin', &nees sorebut (isas bo#/ remaine# completel/ relaxe#, in#ifferent to his

ever/ attention. Nothin' the boo&s pre#icte# ha# occurre#. No labial tumescence. No perineal en'or'ement. No retraction of the clitoral hoo#. No chan'e in breathin', ab#ominal tension, moans or 'roansC Nothin'. 0e "as exhaustin' himself, "hile (isa stare# at the ceilin', 1one# out li&e she "as at the #entists. (i&e a person "aitin' for somethin' va'uel/ unpleasant to be over. )n# thenC"ait a minuteCher breathin' chan'e#. 8nl/ sli'htl/ at first, but then #istinctl/. Si'hin'. )n# her stomach "as tensin', rh/thmicall/ tensin'. She be'an to s=uee1e her breasts an# moan softl/. It "as "or&in'. ic& re#ouble# his efforts. She respon#e# stron'l/. It certainl/ "as "or&in'C"or&in'Cshe "as 'runtin' no"C'aspin', "rithin', buil#in' stron'l/Cher bac& arche#C)n# su##enl/ she heave# an# screame#,$;es7 ;es7 Bra#7 ;essss7% ic& roc&e# bac& on his heels as if he ha# been hit. (isa thre" her han# over her mouth an# t"iste# a"a/ from him on the be#. She shu##ere# briefl/, then sat up, pushe# the hair out of her e/es, loo&e# #o"n at him. 0er chee&s "ere flushe#, her e/es #ar& "ith arousal. $!ee,% she sai#. $Im reall/ sorr/.% )t this a"&"ar# moment, ic&s phone ran'. (isa lun'e# for it on the be#si#e table an# han#e# it to him =uic&l/. $;es, "hat is it?% ic& snappe#. 0e "as an'r/. $*r. Biehl? Its Barr/ Sin#ler here.% $8h. 0i, Barr/.% $Somethin' "ron'?% $No, no.% (isa "as off the be#, 'ettin' #resse#, her bac& to him. $Well, I have 'oo# ne"s for /ou.% $Whats that?% $)s /ou &no", last "ee& /our "ife refuse# to un#er'o 'enetic testin'. So "e 'ot a court or#er. 3ame throu'h /ester#a/.% $;esC%

$)n# confronte# "ith the or#er, /our "ife fle# rather than submit to testin'.% $What #o /ou mean?% ic& sai#. $Shes 'one. (eft to"n. No one &no"s "here.% $What about the &i#s?% $She aban#one# them.% $Well, "hos ta&in' care of them?% $The house&eeper. Bont /ou call /our &i#s ever/ #a/?% $;eah, usuall/ I #o, but its been bus/ at "or&% $When "as the last time /ou calle# them?% $I #ont &no", ma/be three #a/s a'o.% $;ou better 'et /our ass over to /our house ri'ht no",% Sin#ler sai#. $;ou "ante# custo#/ of /our &i#s, an# /ou 'ot it. ;ou# better sho" the court some parental responsibilit/.% )n# he hun' up. 0e# soun#e# pisse#. ic& Biehl leane# bac& on his &nees an# loo&e# at (isa. $I 'otta 'o,% he sai#. $8&a/,% she sai#. $Im sorr/. See /ou.% 3054G Bail "as setat half a million #ollars. Bra# !or#ons attorne/ pai# it. Bra# &ne" it "as his uncles mone/, but at least he "as free to 'o. )s he "as leavin' the courtroom, the funn/,loo&in' &i# in the Bo#'ers @ac&et si#le# up to him an# sai#, $We nee# to tal&.% $)bout "hat?% $;ou "ere set up. I &no" exactl/ "hat happene#.% $8h /eah?% $;eah. We nee# to tal&.% The &i# ha# boo&e# an intervie" room in another part of the courthouse. It "as @ust Bra# an# him. The &i# shut the #oor, flippe# open his laptop, an# "ave# Bra# into a chair. 0e turne# the laptop so Bra# coul# see it.

$Someone accesse# /our phone recor#s.% $0o" #o /ou &no"?% $We have contacts "ith the carrier.% $)n#?% $The/ accesse# /our cell,phone recor#s "hen /ou "ere off "or&.% $Wh/?% $)s /ou probabl/ &no", /our phone contains !-S technolo'/. That means /our location is recor#e# "henever /ou ma&e a call.% 0e tappe# a &e/. $!raphin' /our locations over a thirt/, #a/ perio#, "e fin# this.% The map sho"e# re# #ots all over to"n, but a cluster of #ots in one part of Westvie". The &i# 1oome# in. $Thats the soccer fiel#.% $;ou mean the/ &ne" I "ent there?% $;eah. Tues#a/s an# Thurs#a/s. Somebo#/ &ne" that t"o "ee&s a'o.% $So this"as a setup,% Bra# sai#. $Thats "hat I have been tellin' /ou, /es.% $What about the 'irl?% $Were "or&in' on her. Shes no or#inar/ teena'er. We thin& shes a -hilippine national. Shes appeare# on a "ebcam, masturbatin' for mone/. )n/"a/, "hats relevant no" are the inconsistencies in her stor/. If /ou loo& at the hotel securit/ camera%he tappe# another &e/ $/ou see here that she turns her bo#/ a"a/ from the camera "hile "aitin' for the elevator, opens her purse, an# touches her face. We thin& she is puttin' #rops, or s?ome irritant, in her e/es. When she 'ets in the elevator a moment later she is visibl/ cr/in'. But notice> as a suppose# rape victim, cr/in' in the elevator, apparentl/ ver/ upset, she #oesnt 'o ri'ht to the hotel #es& to report that she has been rape#. ;ou have to "on#er "h/ not.% $.h,huh,% Bra# sai#, e/es narro"in'. $Instea#, she 'oes strai'ht throu'h the lobb/ to her car. Securit/ camera in the par&in' lot sho"s her #rivin' a"a/ at five,seventeen p.m. Bepen#in' on traffic, the #rive from the hotel to the hospital is bet"een eleven an# seventeen minutes. She #oesnt sho" up until six,oh,five p.m. :ort/,five minutes later. What "as she #oin' #urin' that time?% $In@urin' herself?%

$No. Weve ha# several experts loo& at the pictures from the hospital, an# the nurse "ho examine# her "as an experience# trauma nurse. The pictures are ver/ clear. We thin& she met an accomplice "ho pro#uce# the in@uries for her.% $;ou mean, some 'u/C% $;es.% $Then he "oul# have left his BN), ri'ht?% $0e "ore a con#om.% $So at least t"o people "ere involve# in this.% $)ctuall/, "e thin& a "hole team "as involve#,% the &i# sai#. $;ou "ere ver/ professionall/ set up. Who "oul# #o this to /ou?% Bra# ha# been thin&in' about that "hile he sat in his @ail cell. )n# he &ne" there "as onl/ one ans"er> $ ic&. The boss. 0es "ante# me out of there ever since I starte#.% $)n# /ou "ere tr/in' to boff his 'irlC% $0e/. I "asnt tr/in'. I "as #oin' it.% $)n# no" /oure suspen#e# from /our @ob, /ouve 'ot nine months, minimum, before /ou 'o to trial, an# /oure loo&in' at ten to t"ent/ if /ou lose in court. Nice.% The &i# flippe# his laptop shut, an# stoo#. $So "hat happens no"?% $Well "or& on the 'irl. If "e can 'et a prior histor/, ma/be some vi#eo of her on the Internet, "e can press the B) to #rop the char'es. But if this thin' 'oes to trial, its not 'oo#.% $:uc&in' ic&.% $;eah. ;ou o"e him, bu##/.% 0e hea#e# for the #oor. $+ust #o /ourself a favor, o&a/? Sta/ a"a/ from that soccer fiel#.% :romScience ma'a1ines $Ne"s of the Wee&%> Nean#erthal *an> Too 3autious to Survive? Scientist :in#s a $Species Beath !ene% )n anthropolo'ist has extracte# a 'ene from Nean#erthal s&eletons that he sa/s explains the #isappearance of this sub species. $-eople #ont reali1e that Nean#erthals actuall/ ha# lar'er brains than the mo#ern 3ro,*a'non men. The/ "ere stron'er an# tou'her than 3ro,*a'nons,

an# the/ ma#e excellent tools. The/ survive# several ice a'es before the 3ro,*a'nons came on the scene. Wh/, then, #i# Nean#erthals #ie out?% The ans"er, accor#in' to -rofessor Shel#on 0armon of the .niversit/ of Wisconsin, "as that the Nean#erthals carrie# a 'ene that le# them to resist chan'e. $Nean#erthals "ere the first environmentalists. The/ create# a lifest/le in harmon/ "ith nature. The/ limite# 'ame huntin', an# the/ controlle# tool use. But this same ethos also ma#e them intensel/ conservative an# resistant to chan'e. The/ #isapprove# of the ne"comer 3ro,*a'nons, "ho painte# caves, ma#e elaboratel/ #ecorate# tools, an# "ho #rove "hole her#s of animals over cliffs, causin' species extinction. To#a/ "e consi#er the cave paintin's a "on#rous #evelopment. But the Nean#erthals re'ar#e# them as so much 'raffiti. The/ sa" it as prehistoric ta''in'. )n# the/ vie"e# the elaborate 3ro,*a'non tools as "asteful an# #estructive of the environment. The/ #isapprove# of these innovations, an# the/ stuc& to the ol# "a/s. Eventuall/, the/ #ie# out as a species.% 0o"ever, 0armon insists that the Nean#erthals bre# "ith the mo#ern 3ro,*a'nons. $The/ un=uestionabl/ #i#, because "e have i#entifie# this same 'ene in mo#ern human bein's. This 'ene is clearl/ a Nean#erthal remnant, an# it promotes cautious or reactionar/ behavior. *an/ of the people "ho to#a/ "ish to return to the 'lorious past, or at the ver/ least to &eep thin's as the/ are, are #riven b/ this same Nean#erthal 'ene.% 0armon #escribe# the 'ene as mo#if/in' #opamine receptors in the lateral posterior cin'ulate '/rus an# in the ri'ht frontal lobe. $Theres no =uestion about its mo#e of action,% he sai#. 0armons claim has provo&e# a firestorm of criticism from aca#emic collea'ues. Not since E. 8. Wilson publishe# his sociobiolo'/ thesis t"o #eca#es a'o has such furious controvers/ erupte#. )ccor#in' to 3olumbia .niversit/ 'eneticist Vartan !orval#, 0armon "as in@ectin' politics into "hat shoul# be a purel/ scientific in=uir/. $Not at all,% 0armon sai#. $The 'ene is present in both Nean#erthals an# mo#ern humans. Its action has been confirme# in scans of brain activit/. The correlation bet"een this 'ene an# reactionar/ behavior is in#isputable. Its not a matter of politics, of left or ri'ht. Its a =uestion of basic attitu#e"hether /ou are open to the future, or fearful of it. Whether /ou see the "orl# as emer'ent, or #eterioratin'. We have lon' &no"n that some people favor innovation an# loo& positivel/ to"ar# the future, "hile others are fri'htene# of chan'e an# "ant to halt innovation. The #ivi#in' line is 'enetic, an# represents the presence or absence of the Nean#erthal 'ene.% The stor/ "as pic&e# up in the Ne" ;or& Times the next #a/> NE)NBE T0)( !ENE - 8VES ENVI 8N*ENT)( )!ENB) :ears of A ampant Technolo'/ +ustifie# ST.TT!) T, !erman/ 2 )nthropolo'ist Shel#on 0armons #iscover/ of a Nean#erthal 'ene "hich promotes environmental preservation $proves the nee# for soun# environmental polic/,% sai# !reenpeace spo&esperson *arsha *a#s#en. $The fact that Nean#erthals lost the battle for the environment shoul# serve as a "arnin' to us all. (i&e the Nean#erthals, "e "ill not survive

unless "e ta&e ra#ical 'lobal action no".% )n# in the Wall Street +ournal > 3).TI8N <I((EB T0E NE)NBE T0)(S Is the A-recautionar/ -rinciple (ethal? 8ppose :ree *ar&ets at ;our -eril, 3lub for !ro"th Notes B;STEVEWEINBE ! )n )merican anthropolo'ist has conclu#e# that Nean#erthals #ie# from a 'enetic pre#isposition to resist chan'e. In other "or#s, $Nean#erthals applie# the -recautionar/ -rinciple so #ear to illiberal, reactionar/ environmentalists.% That "as the vie" of +ac& Sm/the of the )merican 3ompetitive Institute, a pro'ressive Washin'ton thin& tan&. Sm/the sai#, $The extinction of Nean#erthals serves as a "arnin' to those "ho "oul# halt pro'ress an# ta&e us bac& to a life that is nast/, brutish, an# short.% 3054T In the corner of the office, the TV sho"e# Shel#on 0armon, professor of anthropolo'/ an# self, proclaime# #iscoverer of the $Nean#erthal 'ene,% bein' assaulte# #urin' a lecture "ith a buc&et of "ater poure# over his hea#. 8n,screen, the event "as sho"n repeate#l/ in slo" motion, the "ater sloshin' over a s&inn/, bal# 'u/ "ho loo&e# o##l/ amuse#. $See? 0es smilin',% ic& Biehl sai#. $This is all a publicit/ stunt to promote the 'ene.% $-robabl/,% +osh Win&ler sai#. $The/ ha# cameras there to catch it.% $Exactl/,% Biehl sai#. $)n# asi#e from the publicit/ this 'u/ is 'ettin' for his #amn Nean#erthal 'ene, he is claimin' a mo#e of action closel/ relate# to our maturit/ 'ene. )ctivation of the cin'ulate '/rus an# so on. 3oul# steal our thun#er.% $I #oubt it,% +osh sai#. $Bo1ens of 'enes "or& in the cin'ulate '/rus.% $Even so,% ic& sai#, $I thin& "e ou'ht to announce. Soon. I "ant to 'et the maturit/ 'ene out there.% +osh sai#, $With all #ue respect, ic&, "e# be premature.% $;ouve teste# the 'ene in rats. Thats 'one "ell.% $;es, but its not exactl/ ne"s"orth/. Sho"in' bab/ rats pushin' tur#s in a ca'ethat "ont

ma&e the evenin' ne"s.% Biehl no##e# slo"l/. $;eah. True. We nee# somethin' better.% +osh sai#, $Whats the ur'enc/?% $The boar#. Ever since Bra# 'ot arreste#, his uncle has been pisse#. Seems to thin& Bra#s problems are our fault. )n/"a/, hes pressin' us to put the compan/ on the map "ith a bi' announcement.% $:ine, but "ere not there /et.% $I &no". But "hat if "e @ustC"hat if "e @ustsa/ that "ere rea#/ to start human testin'?% +osh shivere#. $I "oul#nt,% he sai#. $I mean, "e havent even applie# to the :B) for% $I &no". Sta'e one. So lets ma&e the application.% $ ic&, /ou &no" "hat a sta'e,one application re=uires. Its a stac& of research #ata an# forms ten feet hi'h. Thats @ust to start the process. )n# "e "oul# have to la/ out a timetable of milestones% ic& "ave# his han# impatientl/. $I &no". Im sa/in' "e @ust announce it.% $;ou mean, announce it "hen "ere not #oin' it?% $No, announce that "ere 'oin' to #o it.% $But thats m/ point,% +osh sai#. $It# be months before "e coul# even file.% $ eporters #ont care. We @ust sa/ that Bio!en esearch in Westvie" Villa'e is rea#/ to be'in sta'e,one testin', an# is in the process of ma&in' an application to the :B).% $:or the maturit/ 'eneC% $;es. To be inserte# "ith a retrovirus vector.% $)n# "hat "ill "e sa/ the maturit/ 'ene #oes?% +osh sai#. $I #ont &no". We coul# sa/ thatCit cures #ru' a##iction.% +osh felt a chill. $Wh/ "oul# "e sa/ somethin' li&e that?% $Well, it ma&es sense, #ont /ou thin&?% ic& Biehl sai#. $The maturit/ 'ene promotes balance#, mature behavior, "hich is b/ #efinition a##iction,free behavior.%

$I 'uessC% $;ou 'uess ?% Biehl turne# to face him. $(ets sho" a little enthusiasm here, +osh. Im tellin' /ou, this is a 'reat i#ea. Whats the reci#ivism rate in a##iction,treatment pro'rams to#a/? Ei'ht/ percent? Ninet/ percent? ) hun#re# percent? *ost rehab #oesnt "or& for most people. Thats a fact. 0o" man/ a##icts are there in this countr/? 3hrist, "e 'ot more than a million in prisons. So ho" man/ are on the streets? T"ent/ million? Thirt/ million?% +osh "as be'innin' to s"eat. $That "oul# be li&e, ei'ht or ten percent of the population.% $Soun#s about ri'ht. I# bet ten percent of the )merican population is a##icte# to #ru's, "hen /ou inclu#e alcohol. Ten percent, eas/. Which ma&es the maturit/ 'ene a hell of a pro#uct7% +osh "as silent. $What #o /ou have to sa/, +osh?% $.h, I 'uess its a 'oo# i#eaC% $;ou "oul#nt be fuc&in' "ith me, "oul# /ou?% $No,% +osh sai#. $8f course not.% $;ou "oul#nt be hol#in' out on me. Stri&in' out on /our o"n?% $No,% he sai#. $Wh/ "oul# /ou sa/ that?% $;our mother calle# to#a/,% Biehl sai#. 8h shit. $Shes ver/ prou# of "hat /ouve #one, an# #oesnt un#erstan# "h/ I havent 'iven /ou a promotion.% +osh san& into a chair. 0e felt #renche# in col# s"eat. $So, "hat are /ou 'oin' to #o?% he sai#. ic& Biehl smile#. $!ive /ou a promotion, of course,% he sai#. $Bi# /ou &eep recor#s of the #osa'es /ou a#ministere#?% 305K5 In a 'lass,"alle# conference room on *a#ison )venue, the mar&etin' firm of Watson X Naeme "as en'a'e# in namin' a ne" pro#uct. The room "as pac&e# "ith hip /oun' people in their teens an# t"enties, all casuall/ #resse#, as if the/ "ere atten#in' a roc& concert instea# of a #r/ lecture from a professor stan#in' at a lectern "earin' a bo"tie an# tal&in' about a 'ene calle#) MGVTT,6B. The professor "as no" sho"in' 'raphs of en1/matic action, blac& s=ui''l/ lines on

"hite. The &i#s sa''e#, slumpe# in their seats, thumbe# their Blac&Berr/s. 8nl/ a fe" trie# to focus on the material. Sittin' in the bac& of the room, the team lea#er, a ps/cholo'ist name# -aul !o#e, spun his fin'er in the air, si'nalin' the professor to "in# it up. Bo"tie loo&e# surprise#, but he conclu#e# smoothl/. $In summar/,% the professor sai#, $our team at 3olumbia .niversit/ has isolate# a 'ene that promotes social harmon/ an# 'roup cohesion. It #oes this b/ activatin' the prefrontal cortex of the brain, an area &no"n to be important in #eterminin' belief an# cre#ence. We have #emonstrate# this 'ene action b/ exposin' experimental sub@ects to both conventional an# controversial i#eas. 3ontroversial i#eas pro#uce a #istinctive prefrontal si'nature, "hereas conventional i#eas create a #iffuse# activation"hat /ou mi'ht call a "arm 'lo". Thus sub@ects "ith the 'ene sho" a mar&e# preference for conventional thin&in' an# familiar i#eas. The/ also sho" a preference for 'roup thin&in' of all &in#s. The/ li&e television. The/ li&e Wi&ipe#ia. The/ li&e coc&tail parties. The/ li&e small tal&. The/ li&e to be in a'reement "ith people aroun# them. 8ur 'ene is an important force for social stabilit/ an# civili1ation. Since its the 'ene that promotes conventional "is#om, "e call it the conventional 'ene.% The au#ience sat silent. Stunne#. :inall/ one of them sai#, $;ou call it"hat ?% $The conventional 'ene.% $+esus, thats terrible7% $Suici#e.% $:or'et it.% $8r,% the professor sai# =uic&l/, $"e call it the civili1in' 'ene.% !roans in the room. $The civili1in' 'ene? Thats "orse7 Worse7% $0orrible.% $)r'h7% $+ump off a bri#'e7% The professor loo&e# nonplusse#. $Whats "ron' "ith that name? 3ivili1ation is a 'oo# thin', isnt it?% $8f course,% sai# the team lea#er, comin' for"ar# from the bac&. -aul !o#e steppe# up to the lectern. $The onl/ trouble is, nobo#/ in this countr/ "ants to thin& of themselves as @oiners or civili1ers. +ust the opposite"ere all ru''e# in#ivi#ualists. Were all rebels. Were antiestablishment. We stan# out, "e stri&e out, "e #o our o"n thin', 'o our o"n "a/. The her#

of in#epen#ent min#s, somebo#/ calle# it. Nobo#/ "ants to feel the/re not a rebel. Nobo#/ "ants to a#mit that the/ @ust "ant to fit in.% $But in truth, ever/bo#/ #oes "ant to fit in,% the professor sai#. $)t least, almost ever/bo#/. )bout ninet/,t"o percent of people have the conventional,"is#om 'ene. The real rebels lac& it, an# the/ are% $Stop ri'ht there,% the team lea#er sai#, hol#in' up his han#. $+ust stop. ;ou "ant to ma&e /our 'ene valuable. That means /our 'ene creates somethin' people "ant to possesssomethin' excitin' an# #esirable. 3onventional "is#om is not excitin' or #esirable. Its mun#ane. Its buttere# toast "ith 'rape @ell/. Thats "hat the 'roup is tellin' /ou.% 0e 'esture# to a chair. $;ou mi'ht "ant to ta&e a seat, professor.% !o#e turne# to the 'roup, "hich no" loo&e# sli'htl/ more alert. $)ll ri'ht. -eople? Blac&Berr/s a"a/. (ets hear it.% $0o" about the smart 'ene?% someone sai#. $!oo#, but inaccurate.% $Simplicit/ 'ene.% $!oo# #irectionC% $Social 'ene.% $8versell.% $Sociali1in' 'ene.% $Therapeutic.% $Wis#om 'ene. Wise 'ene.% $Wise 'ene. !oo#, ver/ 'oo#.% $ i'ht,thin&in' 'ene.% $Too *aoist. 8r Bu##hist. 3ome on, "a&e up here7% $-art/ 'ene.% $:un 'ene.% $Stone,"ashe# 'enes. 0ip,hu''er 'enes.%

$0app/ 'ene.% $(ive,it,up 'ene.% !o#e "as fro"nin', an# hel# up his han# a'ain. $ e#irect,% he sai#. $Bac& up. e"in#. ethin&. Whats our problem? This 'ene is reall/ the 'ene for conventional "is#omthe conventional, "is#om 'enebut "e #ont "ant to sa/ that. So. Whats 'oo# about conventional "is#om? What #oes embracin' conventional "is#om #o for a person? Nuic&l/, no".% $*a&es /ou belon'.% $;ou #ont stan# out.% $;ou thin& li&e ever/bo#/ else.% $ e#uces friction.% $;ou fit in.% $*eans /ou rea# the Times. % $Nobo#/ loo&s at /ou funn/.% $*a&es /our life simpler.% $No ar'uments.% $:eel safe expressin' an opinion.% $Ever/bo#/ a'rees "ith /ou.% $;oure a 'oo# person.% $;ou feel 'oo#.% $*a&es /ou comfortable.% !o#e snappe# his fin'ers an# pointe#. $!oo#. 3onventional thin&in' ma&es us comfortable C ;es7 No surprises, no #istress. In the "orl# out there, ever/thin' is constantl/ chan'in', ever/ minute. Its not a comfortable place. )n# ever/bo#/ "ants to feel comfortable, ri'ht? 8l# pair of shoes, comfortable s"eats, favorite chairC% $3omfortable 'ene?% $3omf/ 'ene.%

$3omfort 'ene. The comfort 'ene.% $Warm an# fu11/ 'ene. Warm 'ene?% $0app/ 'ene.% $:rien#l/ 'ene? Eas/ 'ene?% $Soothin' 'ene. Smooth 'ene.% $3alm 'ene. Balm 'ene.% This "ent on for a "hile, until finall/ there "ere nine can#i#ates scra"le# on the "hiteboar#. ) furious ar'ument ensue# as names "ere #elete#, thou'h of course all the names "oul# be concept,teste# "ith focus 'roups. In the en#, ever/bo#/ a'ree# the "inner "oul# be the comfort 'ene.

$(ets test it in the fiel#,% !o#e sai#. $-rofessor? Tell us> Where is this 'ene 'oin', commerciall/?% It "as too earl/ to sa/, the professor explaine#. The/ ha# isolate# the 'ene, but the/ #i#nt /et &no" the full ran'e of #iseases associate# "ith it. 0o"ever, since nearl/ ever/bo#/ in the "orl# carrie# the comfort 'ene, the/ believe# that man/ people probabl/ suffere# from 'enetic anomalies involvin' the 'ene. :or example> -eople "ho "ere overl/ #esirous of @oinin' the ma@orit/that mi'ht prove to be a 'enetic #isor#er. )n# people "ho felt #epresse# "hen the/ "ere alone, b/ themselvesconceivabl/, another #isor#er. -eople "ho @oine# protest marches, "ent to sports 'ames, "ho sou'ht out situations "here the/ "oul# be surroun#e# b/ lots of li&e, min#e# peoplea potential 'enetic #isor#er. Then there "ere people "ho felt obli'e# to a'ree "ith "homever the/ "ere "ith, no matter "hat "as sai#/et another #isor#er. )n# "hat about people "ho "ere afrai# to thin& for themselves? :ear of in#epen#ence from the surroun#in' 'roup? $(ets face it, thats a lot of people,% the professor sai#. $Nobo#/ thin&s for themselves if the/ can help it.% $;ou mean all this behavior is 'oin' to be consi#ere# patholo'ical?% someone as&e#. $)n/ compulsive behavior is patholo'ical,% the professor ans"ere#. $But positive behavior? -rotest marches?% $8ur position,% the professor sai#, $is that "e are on the ver'e of i#entif/in' a ran'e of #isease states all relate# to sociabilit/.% These 'enetic anomalies involvin' the comfort 'ene ha# not /et been #efinitivel/ establishe#, but 3olumbia .niversit/ ha# applie# for a patent on the 'ene itself,

meanin' that the 'ene "oul# have increasin' value as #isor#ers involvin' it "ere i#entifie# "ith certaint/. !o#e cou'he#. $Weve ma#e a mista&e. These are all #isor#ers of sociabilit/. This nee#s to be the sociabilit/ 'ene.% )n# so it "as. :rom Business 8nline > S3IENTISTS :INB !ENE :8 S83I)BI(IT; Is the ten#enc/ to sociabilit/ inherite#? Scientists at the *orecomb (aboratories, at 3olumbia .niversit/, believe that it is. The/ report the/ have foun# the 'ene that re'ulates it, an# the/ have applie# for a patent on the 'eneC 8p,E# 3ommentar/ from the Ne" ;or& Times > ) $S83I)BI(IT; !ENE%? W0EN WI(( T0IS N8NSENSE ST8-? 3olumbia .niversit/ researchers no" claim to have foun# a sociabilit/ 'ene. Whats next? The sh/ness 'ene? The reclusive 'ene? The monastic 'ene? 0o" about the 'et,off,m/,bac& 'ene? In truth, researchers are ta&in' a#vanta'e of the publics lac& of &no"le#'e about ho" 'enes actuall/ operate. No sin'le 'ene controls an/ behavioral trait. .nfortunatel/, the public #oesnt &no" that. The/ thin& theres a 'ene for e/e color, for hei'ht, an# for hair curliness, so "h/ not one for sociabilit/? !eneticists "ill not spea& out. The/ all sit on the boar#s of private companies, an# are in a race to i#entif/ 'enes the/ can patent for their o"n profit. Will this ever stop? Evi#entl/ not. :rom !rist online> :EE(IN! S83I)B(E? T0)TS -)TENTEB The research office of 3olumbia .niversit/ has applie# for a patent on a 'ene that it sa/s controls sociabilit/. Boes this mean that one #a/ ever/one on anti#epressants, or )BB me#ications, or anxiet/ me#ications, "ill have to pa/ a ro/alt/ to 3olumbia? eporte#l/, pharmaceutical 'iants in S"it1erlan# are bi##in' franticall/ to license the 'ene. 305KE The fact,fin#in' hearin' of the Bioethics evie" -anel at the National Institutes of 0ealth in

Bethes#a "as carefull/ structure# to feel colle'ial an# unintimi#atin'. Ever/one sat at the same lon' table in the thir#,floor conference room of the main buil#in', a familiar settin', "ith notices for upcomin' seminars tac&e# on the "alls an# the a'in' coffeema&er sputterin' in the corner. The coffee "as notoriousl/ a"ful9 nobo#/ #ran& it. The six scientists on the revie" panel #resse# a little more formall/ for this meetin'. *ost ha# put on @ac&ets9 one even "ore a tie. But the/ sat slouche# an# relaxe# as the/ tal&e# to the person bein' investi'ate#, Br. onal# *arsh, fort/,one, "ho sat at the same table "ith them. $)n# ho", exactl/, #i# this t"elve,/ear,ol# 'irl #ie?% Br. *arsh "as a professor of me#icine at the .niversit/ of Texas in )ustin. $She suffere# from con'enital transport factor #eficienc/.% 3T:B "as a fatal 'enetic #eficienc/. $This 'irl "as treate# "ith #iet an# renal #ial/sis from the a'e of nine months. She sho"e# some stuntin' of 'ro"th but no mental retar#ation. She an# her famil/ both "ante# this proce#ure, in the hope that she coul# have a normal life. Not be tie# to a machine forever. )s /ou &no", its not much of a life, especiall/ for a /oun' &i#.% Those aroun# the table listene# impassivel/. $)n# loo&in' to the future,% *arsh continue#, $"e all reco'ni1e# that she coul# not be maintaine# throu'h a#olescence. 0ormonal chan'es "ere alrea#/ affectin' her metabolism. She "as certain to #ie in the next three to four /ears. It "as on that basis that "e un#ertoo& the proce#ure to insert the 'ene into her bo#/.% 0e pause#. $The ris&s "ere &no"n.% 8ne of the scientists sai#, $These ris&s "ere #iscusse# "ith the famil/?% $8f course. In #etail.% $)n# "ith the patient?% $;es. She "as a bri'ht 'irl. She "as the one "ho first propose# the proce#ure. She rea# about it on the Internet. She un#erstoo# that the ris&s "ere enormous.% $Bi# /ou 'ive the famil/ an estimate of those ris&s?% $We #i#. We tol# them the chances of success "ere on the or#er of three percent.% $)n# the/ "ent ahea# an/"a/?% $;es. The #au'hter pushe# them. She felt that if she "as 'oin' to #ie an/"a/, she mi'ht as "ell ta&e the chance.% $She "as a minorC% $;es,% *arsh sai#. $But she "as also the one "ith the #isease.%

$;ou 'ot si'ne# releases?% $;es.% $Weve rea# those releases. Some of us felt the releases struc& an unrealistic positive tone, minimi1in' ris&s.% $The releases "ere prepare# b/ the hospitals le'al #epartment,% *arsh sai#. $)n# /ou "ill notice the famil/ si'ne# off on a statement that the/ ha# been full/ informe# of the ris&s. What the/ "ere tol# is also note# in the patients charts. We "oul# not have procee#e# "ithout full/ informe# consent.% Burin' that speech, the hea# of the panel, Br. obert Bellarmino, slippe# into the room an# ease# into a seat at the en# of the table. $So /ou #i# the proce#ure?% Br. *arsh "as as&e#. $We #i#.% $What vector "as use#?% $*o#ifie# a#enovirus infusion, in combination "ith stan#ar# Barlo" immunosuppression protocols.% $)n# the outcome?% $She spi&e# a fever almost at once. It ran to E5V #e'rees. She ha# si'ns of multiple or'an s/stem failure on the secon# #a/. (iver an# &i#ne/ function #i# not recover. She #ie# on the thir# #a/.% There "as a short silence. $If I ma/ ma&e a personal comment,% *arsh sai#, $this has been a shatterin' experience for all of us at the hospital, an# shatterin' for me personall/. We ha# care# for this 'irl since infanc/. She "asCbelove# b/ ever/one on the staff. She "as a little ra/ of sunshine, "henever she came into the clinic. We attempte# this ris&/ proce#ure because she "ante# it. But at ni'ht I as& m/self, "as it the ri'ht thin' to #o? )n# I al"a/s feel I ha# an obli'ation to ta&e that ris& "ith the patient, if that "as "hat she "ante#. She "ante# life. 0o" coul# I #en/ her that chance?% ) cou'h. $But, uh, /our team ha# no experience "ith 'ene transplantation.% $No. We consi#ere# sen#in' her to another team.% $Wh/ #i#nt /ou?% $No one else "oul# #o the proce#ure.%

$What #i# that tell /ou?% *arsh si'he#. $0ave an/ of /ou seen a patient #ie of 3T:B? Their &i#ne/s necrose. Their livers shut #o"n. Their bo#ies s"ell, turn a purple,'ra/ color. The/ cant breathe. The/re in a'on/. The/ ta&e #a/s to #ie. Shoul# I have "aite# for that to happen to this lovel/ 'irl? I #i#nt thin& so.% There "as another moment of silence at the table. The moo# "as #istinctl/ #isapprovin'. $Wh/ is the famil/ suin' no"?% *arsh shoo& his hea#. $I havent been able to spea& to them.% $The/ have state# in court #ocuments that the/ "erent informe#.% $The/ "ere,% *arsh sai#. $(oo&> "e all hope# it "oul# "or&. Ever/bo#/ "as optimistic. )n# parents cant reall/ accept the truththat a three percent success rate means ninet/,seven percent of the patients #ie. Ninet/,seven percent. Its almost certain #eath. The/ &ne" that, an# "hen their hopes "ere #ashe#, the/ felt cheate#. But "e never misle# them.%

)fter Br. *arshleft the room, the panel met in close# session. 8f the seven members on the panel, six "ere outra'e#. The/ ar'ue# that *arsh "as not tellin' the truth no", an# ha# not tol# the truth before. The/ sai# he "as rec&less. The/ sai# that he 'ave 'enetics a ba# name, "hich the fiel# no" ha# to overcome. The/ spo&e of the Wil# West, of his 'oin' off half,coc&e#. The/ "ere clearl/ movin' to"ar# censure of *arsh, an# recommen#in' that he lose his license an# his abilit/ to appl/ for 'overnment 'rants. The hea# of the panel, ob Bellarmino, sai# nothin' for a lon' time. :inall/, he cleare# his throat. $I cant help but reflect,% he sai#, $that these ar'uments "ere exactl/ the same as those first voice# "hen 3hristiaan Barnar# #i# the first heart transplant.% $But this isnt the first of an/thin'% $!oin' off half,coc&e#. Not see&in' proper authori1ation. (iable to la"suits. (et me remin# /ou,% Bellarmino sai#, $"hat Barnar#s ori'inal statistics "ere. 0is first seventeen patients #ie# almost imme#iatel/. 0e "as calle# a &iller an# a charlatan. But no", more than t"o thousan# heart transplants are performe# ever/ /ear in this countr/. *ost live five to fifteen /ears. <i#ne/ transplants are routine. (un' an# liver transplants that "ere consi#ere# outra'eous a fe" /ears a'o are accepte# no". Ever/ ne" therap/ passes throu'h a ha1ar#ous, pioneerin' sta'e. )n# "e "ill al"a/s rel/ on coura'eous in#ivi#uals, such as Br. *arsh, to ta&e ris&s.% $But so man/ rules "ere bro&en%

$What "oul# /ou #o to Br. *arsh?% Bellarmino sai#. $The man cant sleep at ni'ht. ;ou see it in his face. 0is belove# patient #ie# un#er his care. What 'reater punishment "ill /ou inflict? )n# "ho are /ou to tell him he #i# the "ron' thin'?% $The ethics rules% $None of us loo&e# in that little 'irls e/es. None of us &ne" her life, her pain, her hopes. *arsh #i#. 0e &ne" her for /ears. Will "e no" stan# in @u#'ment of him?% The room "as =uiet. In the en#, the/ vote# to censure the .niversit/ of Texas le'al staff, "ith no penalt/ for Br. *arsh. Bellarmino ha# turne# them aroun#, one of the panel sai# later. $It "as classic ob Bellarmino. Tal&in' li&e a preacher, subtl/ invo&in' !o#, an# someho" 'ettin' ever/one to push the envelope, no matter "ho 'ot hurt, no matter "hat happene#. ob can @ustif/ an/thin'. 0es brilliant at it.% But in fact, before the final vote "as ta&en, Bellarmino ha# left the room, because he "as late for his next meetin'.

:rom the bioethicspanel meetin', Bellarmino returne# to his lab, "here he "as meetin' "ith one of his post#ocs. The &i# ha# come to him from 3ornell *e#ical 3enter, "here he ha# #one remar&able "or& on the mechanisms that controlle# chromatin formation. Normall/, the BN) of a cell "as foun# insi#e the nucleus. *ost people ima'ine# BN) in the form of a #ouble helix, the famous t"istin' staircase #iscovere# b/ Watson an# 3ric&. But that staircase "as onl/ one of three forms that BN) mi'ht ta&e "ithin the cell. BN) coul# also form a sin'le stran#, or a more con#ense# structure calle# a centromere. The particular form "as #epen#ent on the proteins associate# "ith the BN). This "as important because "hen BN) "as compresse#, its 'enes "ere unavailable to the cell. 8ne "a/ to control 'enes "as to chan'e the chromatin of various sections of BN). So, for example, "hen 'enes "ere in@ecte# into ne" cells, steps also ha# to be ta&en to &eep the chromatin in an available form, throu'h the use of a##e# chemicals. Bellarminos ne" post#oc ha# #one brea&throu'h research on meth/lation b/ certain proteins, an# their effect on chromatin structure. The &i#s paper, $!enome,-rotein )ccessibilit/ 3ontrol an# )#enine *eth/ltransferase,% "as a mo#el of clear "ritin'. It "as boun# to be important, an# "oul# ma&e the &i#s reputation. Bellarmino "as sittin' in his office "ith the &i#, "ho "as loo&in' ea'er as Bellarmino scanne# the paper. $Excellent, @ust excellent.% 0e tappe# the paper. $I thin& this "or& #oes 'reat cre#it to the lab. )n# of course to /ou.%

$Than& /ou, ob,% the &i# sai#. $)n# /ou have the seven co,authors in place, an# I am appropriatel/ hi'h on the list,% Bellarmino sai#. $Thir#,% the &i# sai#, $but if /ou felt secon# position "as "arrante#% $)ctuall/, I am rememberin' a conversation "e ha# a fe" months bac&, in "hich "e #iscusse# possible meth/lation mechanisms, an# I su''este# to /ou% $;es, I rememberC% $The ver/ mechanisms /ou eluci#ate here. I feel rather stron'l/ that I shoul# be the lea# author.% The &i# blin&e#. $.mmC% 0e s"allo"e#. $That ensures the paper "ill be cite# more often,% Bellarmino sai#, $"hich is important for a contribution of this ma'nitu#e. )n# of course the exact listin' is @ust a formalit/. )s secon# author /ou "ill be un#erstoo# to have #one the foot"or& here, the fill,in,the,'aps labor. :rom /our stan#point, its reall/ a "in,"in. ;ou "ill 'et 'reater citations, an# /ou "ill see much lar'er 'rants comin' /our "a/.% 0e smile#. $I can assure /ou of that. ;our next "or& "ill be entirel/ in#epen#ent. )n# in a /ear or t"o, Ill be supportin' /ou for a lab of /our o"n.% $I, uhC% The &i# 'ulpe#. $I un#erstan#.% $!oo#, 'oo#. *a&e these chan'es, shoot it bac& to me, an# Ill submit it to Nature. I thin& this #eserves a better platform than Science, "hich is a little #o"n at the heels these #a/s. Ill call over to Nature an# ma&e sure the e#itor un#erstan#s the importance of this paper, an# see that "e 'et imme#iate publication.% $Than&s, ob,% the &i# sai#. $)n/time,% ob Bellarmino sai#. $"et art% on #ispla/ Trans'enic 8r'anisms in !alleries (ivin' 3reatures for Sale in (on#on, South )frican artist (aura 3inti #ispla/e# a trans'enic cactus that containe# human 'enetic material, an# 're" human hairs. 3inti sai#, $The cactus "ith all its hairs comin' out is sho"in' all the #esires, all the si'ns of sexualit/. It #oesnt "ant to be trappe#. It "ants to be release#.% When as&e# about the public reaction to the cactus, 3inti sai#, $Bal# men are particularl/

intereste#.% )rtist *arta #e *ene1es create# mo#ifie# butterflies "here one "in' "as #ifferent from the other. She sai#, $-eople "ere ver/ shoc&e# at first. The/ #i#nt thin& it "as a 'oo# i#ea.% She sai# that, next, she "oul# ma&e the stripes of 1ebra fish vertical instea# of hori1ontal so the fish "oul# loo& more li&e 1ebras. These chan'es "oul# be inherite#. :innish artist 8ron 3atts 're" pi' "in's in culture from pi' bone marro" stem cells. 0e sai# the artists team pla/e# music to the pi' cells to ma&e them 'ro". $We #o"nloa#e# lots of pi' son'sCan# pla/e# them to the cells.% 0e sai# the cells seeme# to #o better "ith music. 3hica'o,base# artist E#uar#o <ac create# a trans'enic rabbit calle# )lba that 'lo"e# 'reen. The fertili1e# e'' of an albino rabbit "as in@ecte# "ith !-:, the 'ene for 'reen fluorescent protein from a -acific North"est @ell/fish. The animal that 're" from the e'' no" 'lo"s. ) furor resulte#. <ac observe# that $Ythe rabbitZ #oes ma&e some people uncomfortable,% but note# that !-: is a common research tool an# has been in@ecte# into /east, mol#s, plants, fruit flies, mice, an# co" embr/os. <ac sai# he "as loo&in' for"ar# to ma&in' a fluorescent #o'. )lba #ie# prematurel/ of un&no"n causes. So #i# the trans'enic cactuses. In 455K the first trans'enic pet "as offere# for sale to the public. ) re#,fluorescin' 1ebra fish, it "as create# b/ Br. Shi/uan !on' in Sin'apore, an# license# to a compan/ in )ustin, Texas. It "as mar&ete# un#er the name !lo:ish, after t"o /ears of revie" b/ fe#eral an# state a'encies, "hich conclu#e# the fish "ere safe, so lon' as the/ "ere not eaten. 305K4 *a#ame Bon#,%the first,'ra#e teacher sai#, $/our son is a #eli'htful bo/, but he is havin' trouble "ith his math. )##ition comes slo"l/ to him9 subtraction is even more #ifficult. 0o"ever, his :rench is much improve#.% $I am 'la# to &no" that,% !ail Bon# sai#. $The move here from (on#on "as har# for him. But I must a#mit, Im surprise# about his #ifficult/ "ith math.% $Because /ou are a scientist, /ou mean?% $I suppose so, /es. I "or& at the Institut National here in -aris,% she sai#, $an# Evans father is an investment ban&er9 he "or&s all #a/ "ith numbers.% $Well,% the teacher replie#, $as /ou are a 'eneticist, I am sure /ou &no" ever/thin' is not in the 'enes. Sometimes the chil# of a 'reat artist cannot #ra". But I must tell /ou that it #oes /our son no 'oo# if /ou #o his home"or& for him.% $Sorr/?% !ail Bon# sai#. $Bo his home"or&?% $Well, this must be the case,% the teacher sai#. $;ou or someone else in the househol#.%

$I #ont un#erstan#.% $Evans home"or& is al"a/s perfect. But "hen there is a =ui1 in class, he #oes poorl/. Evi#entl/, someone is #oin' his home"or& for him.% !ail Bon# shoo& her hea#. $But I #ont &no" "ho it coul# be,% she sai#. $*/ son comes home from school an# onl/ the house&eeper is there "hen he #oes his home"or&. She #oesnt spea& much :rench. I return at five, an# b/ then his home"or& is finishe#. 8r so he tells me.% $;ou #o not revie" it?% $No. Never. 0e sa/s there is no nee#.% $Well,% the teacher sai#, $he is 'ettin' help from some"here.% She too& out the home"or& sheets an# sprea# them on the #es&. $;ou see? Ever/ problem, on ever/ sheet. -erfect.% $I see,% !ail sai#, starin' at the papers. $)n# these stainsC% There "ere small 'reen an# "hite stains on the paper, #roplets. $8ften these mar&s are present. .suall/ at the bottom of the sheet. )s if somethin' "ere spille#.% $I thin& I &no" "ho is helpin' him,% !ail Bon# sai#. $Who?% $Its someone from the lab.%

She unloc&e# the #oor to the apartment an# hear# !erar# call, $0ello, s"eetheart,% exactl/ as her husban# #i#. $0i, !erar#,% she sai#. $Whats ne" "ith /ou?% $I nee# a bath.% $Ill see that /ou 'et one,% she sai#. She "al&e# into the hall"a/ "here !erar# "as stan#in' on his perch. 0e "as a trans'enic )frican 're/ parrot, no" t"o /ears ol#. While he "as a chic&, he ha# receive# a variet/ of human 'enes, so far "ith no noticeable effect. $;ou loo& 'oo#, bab/, Ive misse# /ou,% !erar# sai#, a'ain imitatin' her husban#s voice. $Than& /ou,% she sai#. $I have a =uestion for /ou, !erar#.%

$8&a/, if /ou insist.% $Tell me. What is the ans"er to thirteen minus seven?% $I #ont &no".% She hesitate#. $What is the ans"er to thirteen ta&e a"a/ seven?% That "as ho" Evan "oul# phrase it. -romptl/, the bir# sai#, $Six.% $Eleven ta&e a"a/ four?% $Seven.% $T"elve ta&e a"a/ t"o?% $Ten.% She fro"ne#. $T"ent/,four ta&e a"a/ eleven?% $8h. 8h. 8h,% the parrot sai#, movin' on the perch. $;ou tr/ to tric& me. Thirteen.% $Whats one,oh,one ta&e a"a/ sevent/?% $Thirt/,one. But "e never 'et so man/ numbers. *ost is t"o numbers.% $We?% !erar# sai# nothin'. 0e #uc&e# his hea# rh/thmicall/. 0e be'an to sin', $I love a para#eC% $!erar#,% !ail sai#, $#oes Evan as& /ou for help?% $8h sure.% )n# then a perfect imitation of Evan> $0e/, !errie, come an# help me. Its too har# for me.% Then a "hine> $Its too haaar#C % !ail sai#, $I have to 'et the vi#eo camera.% $)m I a star? )m I a star?% $;es,% she sai#, $/ou are a star.% 0e spo&e in an )merican #ra"l> $Were sorr/ "ere late but "e ha# to pic& up our son 0an&.% $What movie is that?% she sai#.

The same #ra"l> $No" +o, @ust ta&e it eas/.% $;oure not 'oin' to tell me, are /ou?% she sai#. $I nee# a bath,% !erar# sai#, $before an/ filmin'. ;ou promise# me a bath.% !ail Bon# hurrie# off to 'et the camera.

Burin' his first /ear of life, !erar# sho"e# little effect from the human trans'enes that ha# been in@ecte# into him as a chic& b/ ;oshi Tomi1u an# !ail Bon# in the laborator/ of *aurice !rolier at the Institut National in -aris. This "as not surprisin'. The successful in@ection of trans'enes "as a tric&/ business, an# re=uire# #o1ens, even hun#re#s, of attempts before it "or&e# properl/. That "as because multiple con#itions ha# to be fulfille# for the 'ene to "or& in a ne" environment. :irst, the 'ene ha# to be incorporate# correctl/ into the existin' 'enetic material of the animal. Sometimes the ne" 'ene "as incorporate# bac&"ar#, "hich ha# a ne'ative effect, or none at all. Sometimes it "as inserte# into an unstable re'ion of the 'enome, an# tri''ere# lethal cancer in the animal. That "as rather common. :urthermore, trans'enics "as never a matter of insertin' a sin'le 'ene. esearchers also ha# to insert the associate# 'enes necessar/ for the primar/ 'ene to function. :or example, most 'enes ha# insulators an# promoters. The promoters mi'ht ma&e proteins that s"itche# off the animals o"n 'enes, to allo" the ne" a##ition to ta&e over. 8r the/ mi'ht enhance the "or&in's of the in@ecte# 'ene itself. The insulators &ept the ne" 'ene separate# from the 'enes aroun# it. The/ also ma#e sure the ne" 'enetic material remaine# available "ithin the cell. 3omplex as the/ "ere, these consi#erations #i#nt ta&e into account the further intricacies that mi'ht arise from messen'er N)s "ithin the cell. 8r from the 'enes that controlle# translation. )n# so on. In realit/, the tas& of in@ectin' a 'ene into an animal an# ma&in' it "or& more closel/ resemble# #ebu''in' a computer pro'ram than it #i# an/ biolo'ical process. ;ou ha# to &eep fixin' the errors, ma&in' a#@ustments, eliminatin' un"ante# effects, until /ou 'ot the thin' "or&in'. )n# then /ou ha# to "ait for #o"nstream effects to sho" up, sometimes /ears later. That "as "h/ the lab felt that !ail Bon# shoul# ta&e !erar# home, an# &eep him as a pet for a "hile. To see if an/ positive or unto"ar# effects sho"e# up. 0ome rearin' "as especiall/ important because )frican 're/s "ere hi'hl/ intelli'ent'enerall/ consi#ere# as intelli'ent as chimpan1eesan# "ith a far 'reater capacit/ for lan'ua'e. .sin' si'n lan'ua'e or computer &e/boar#s, a fe" nonhuman primates ha# mastere# about EM5 "or#s. But that "as merel/ avera'e for a 're/ parrot. Some 're/ parrots ha# as man/ as a thousan# "or#s. So the/ nee#e# the &in# of interaction an# stimulation foun# in a human environment. The/ coul#nt be left in an animal hol#in' facilit/, aroun# mice an# hamsters, or the/ "oul# 'o ma# from lac& of

stimulation. In#ee#, animal activists believe# that man/ 're/ parrot pets "ere mentall/ #isturbe# as a result of insufficient interaction. It "as as if the/ ha# been hel# in solitar/ confinement, /ear after /ear. ) 're/ parrot re=uire# at least as much interaction as a human bein'. *ore, some scientists ar'ue#. !erar# "as fin'er,traine# as a chic&, an# be'an tal&in' earl/. 0e alrea#/ ha# =uite a vocabular/ "hen !ail, "ho "as thirt/,one an# marrie# to an investment ban&er, brou'ht him home to her apartment. )s !erar# came into the livin' room, he sai#, $0e/, nice place, !ail. Wa/ to 'o.% H0e ha# unfortunatel/ pic&e# up bits of )merican slan' from "atchin' television at the lab.I $Im 'la# /ou li&e it, !erar#,% she sai#. $I "as @ust sa/in' that,% the parrot sai#. $;ou mean /ou #ont li&e it?% $I mean I "as @ust sa/in' that.% $8&a/.% $+ust an observation.% $ i'ht. :ine.% She imme#iatel/ ma#e notations in a lo'boo&. !erar#s speech mi'ht prove hi'hl/ si'nificant. 8ne of the 'oals of the trans'enic experiment "as to see to "hat extent scientists coul# mo#if/ the intelli'ent behavior of non,human animals. -rimates "ere off,limitstoo man/ rules an# re'ulationsbut people "erent so sensitive about parrots. There "ere no ethics committees to supervise parrot experimentation. So the !rolier lab "or&e# "ith )frican 're/s. )mon' the thin's the/ "ere loo&in' for "as evi#ence of self,a"areness in the parrots speech. -arrots "ere &no"n to be self,a"are. The/ reco'ni1e# themselves in mirrors. But speech "as #ifferent. -arrots #i# not reliabl/ use the "or# I "hen referrin' to themselves. !enerall/, "hen the/ use# the personal pronoun it "as to =uote someone else. The =uestion "as "hether a trans'enic parrot "oul# ever use the "or# I unambi'uousl/. )n# it seeme# to !ail Bon# that !erar# ha# @ust #one exactl/ that. It "as a 'oo# start.

0er husban#, ichar#, sho"e# little interest in the ne" arrival. 0is sole reaction "as to shru' an# sa/, $Bont loo& for me to clean that ca'e.% !ail sai# she "oul# not. 0er son "as more

enthusiastic. Evan imme#iatel/ be'an to pla/ "ith !erar#, puttin' him on his fin'er, an# later on his shoul#er. )s the "ee&s "ent on, it "as Evan "ho spent time "ith the bir#, "ho bon#e# "ith it, "ho &ept it on his shoul#er much of the time. )n#, it seeme#, "ho 'ot help from the bir#.

!ail set up the vi#eo camera on a tripo#, a#@uste# the frame, an# turne# the camera on. Some 're/ parrots "ere able to count, an# there "ere claims that some ha# a ru#imentar/ un#erstan#in' of the concept of 1ero. But none "as able to #o arithmetic. Except !erar#. She ha# to "or& ver/ har# to conceal her excitement. $!erar#,% she sai#, in her calmest voice, $I am 'oin' to sho" /ou a picture an# I "ant /ou to tell me "hat it sa/s.% She sho"e# him one sheet from her sons home"or&, fol#in' it to reveal a sin'le problem. She covere# the ans"er "ith her thumb. $I #i# that alrea#/.% $But "hat #oes this sa/?% !ail as&e#, pointin' to the problem. It "as fifteen minus seven. $;ou have to sa/ it.% $3an /ou loo& at this paper an# tell me the ans"er?% she sai#. $;ou have to sa/ it,% !erar# repeate#. 0e "as hoppin' from one le' to the other on his perch, 'ettin' irritable. 0e &ept 'lancin' at the camera. !erar# #i#nt li&e to be embarrasse#. !ail sai#, $It sa/s fifteen ta&e a"a/ seven.% $Ei'ht,% the parrot replie#, at once.

!ail resiste# the temptation to turn to the camera an# shrie& "ith #eli'ht. Instea#, she calml/ turne# the pa'e to reveal another problem. $No". What is t"ent/,three ta&e a"a/ nine?% $:ourteen.% $Ver/ 'oo#. )n# no"C% $;ou promise# me,% !erar# sai#. $I promise# /ou?%

$;es, /ou promise# me,% he sai#. $;ou &no"C% 0e meant the bath. $Ill #o that later,% she sai#. $:or no"C% $;ou promise# me.% Sul&/ tone. $*/ bath.% $!erar#, I am 'oin' to sho" /ou this next problem. )n# as& /ou> What is t"ent/,nine ta&e a"a/ ei'ht?% $I hope the/ are "atchin',% he sai#, in an o## voice. $The/ll see. The/ll see an# the/ll &no" an# the/ll sa/, AWh/, she "oul#nt even harm a fl/.% $!erar#. No", please pa/ attention. What is t"ent/,nine ta&e a"a/ ei'ht?% !erar# opene# his mouth. The front #oorbell ran'. !ail "as close enou'h to the bir# to &no" that !erar# himself ha# ma#e the soun#. 0e coul# imitate all sorts of soun#s perfectl/ #oorbells, phone rin's, toilet flushes. $!erar#, pleaseC% The soun# of footsteps. ) clic&, an# a crea& as the front #oor opene#. $;ou loo& 'oo#, bab/, Ive misse# /ou,% !erar# sai#, imitatin' her husban#s voice. $!erar#,% she be'an. ) "omans voice> $8h ichar#, its been so lon'C% Silence. Soun# of &issin'. !ail fro1e, "atchin' !erar#. The parrot continue#, his bea& har#l/ movin'. 0e "as li&e a tape recor#er. The "omans voice> $)re "e alone?% $;es,% her husban# sai#. $<i# #oesnt come bac& until three.% $)n# "hat about, uhC% $!ail is at a conference in !eneva.% $8h, so "e have all #a/. 8h, !o#C%

*ore &issin'. T"o pairs of footsteps. 3rossin' the room. 0er husban#> $;ou "ant somethin' to #rin&?% $*a/be later, bab/. i'ht no", all I "ant is /ou. % !ail turne#, an# s"itche# the vi#eo off. !erar# sai#, $No" "ill /ou 'ive me m/ bath?% She 'lare# at him. The be#room #oor slamme# shut. 3rea&in' of the be#sprin's. ) "oman s=uealin', lau'hin'. *ore crea&in' sprin's. $Stop it, !erar#,% !ail sai#. $I &ne" /ou "oul# "ant to &no",% he sai#.

$I hate that fuc&in' bir#,% her husban# sai#, later that ni'ht. The/ "ere in the be#room. $Thats not the point,% she sai#. $;oull #o "hat /ou "ant, ichar#. But not in m/ house. Not in our be#.% She ha# alrea#/ chan'e# the sheets, but even so, she #i#nt "ant to sit on the be#. 8r 'o near it. She "as stan#in' on the other si#e of the room, b/ the "in#o". -aris traffic outsi#e. $It "as @ust that one time,% he sai#. She hate# it "hen he lie# to her. $When I "as in !eneva,% she sai#. $Bo /ou "ant me to as& !erar# if there "ere other times?% $No. (eave the bir# out of it.% $There "ere other times,% she sai#. $What #o /ou "ant me to sa/, !ail. Im sorr/, all ri'ht? Im sorr/.% $I #ont "ant /ou to sa/ an/thin',% she sai#. $I "ant /ou not to #o it a'ain. I "ant /ou to &eep /our fuc&in' "omen out of this house.% $ i'ht. :ine. I "ill #o that. 3an "e #rop it no"?%

$;es,% she sai#. $We can #rop it no".% $I hate that fuc&in' bir#.% She "al&e# out of the room. $If /ou touch him,% she sai#, $Ill &ill /ou.% $Where are /ou 'oin'?% $8ut.%

She met ;oshi Tomi1u at his apartment. The/ ha# be'un their affair a /ear before an# ha# resume# it a'ain in !eneva. ;oshi ha# a "ife an# chil# in To&/o, an# he "oul# be returnin' there in the fall. So it "as @ust a frien#ship "ith privile'es. $;ou feel tense,% he sai#, stro&in' her bac&. 0e ha# "on#erful han#s. $Bi# /ou ar'ue "ith ichar#?% $Not reall/. ) bit.% She loo&e# at the moonli'ht comin' in throu'h the "in#o", surprisin'l/ bri'ht. $Then "hat is it?% ;oshi as&e#. $Im "orrie# about !erar#.% $Wh/?% $ ichar# hates him. eall/ hates him.% $8h, he "oul#nt #o an/thin'. Its such a valuable animal.% $0e mi'ht,% she sai#. She sat up in be#. $*a/be I shoul# 'o bac&.% ;oshi shru''e#. $If /ou thin&C% $Im sorr/,% she sai#. 0e &isse# her li'htl/. $Bo "hat /ou thin& is best.% !ail si'he#. $;oure ri'ht,% she sai#. $Im bein' sill/.% She sli# bac& #o"n un#er the covers. $Tell me I am bein' sill/. -lease.% 305KK Bra# !or#on clic&e# off the TV an# /elle#, $Its open. 3ome in.%

It "as noon. 0e "as loun'in' in his thir#,floor apartment in Sherman 8a&s, "atchin' the ball 'ame an# "aitin' for the pi11a #eliver/ 'u/. But to his surprise, the #oor opene# an# in "al&e# the best,loo&in' "oman he ha# ever seen in his life. She ha# ele'ance "ritten all over her thirt/ish, tall, slim, European clothin', heels that "ere not too hi'h. Sex/, but in control. Bra# sat for"ar# in his loun'er chair an# ran his han# over his chin, feelin' the stubble. $Im sorr/,% he sai#. $I #i#nt expect an/ visitors% $;our uncle, *r. Watson, sent me,% the "oman sai#, "al&in' #irectl/ to"ar# him. 0e hastene# to stan#. $*/ name is *aria !on1ales.% She ha# a sli'ht accent, but it #i#nt soun# Spanish. *ore !erman. $Im involve# "ith the firm that #oes /our uncles investment "or&,% she sai#, sha&in' his han#. Bra# no##e#, inhalin' her li'ht perfume. 0e "asnt surprise# to hear she "or&e# for .ncle +ac&> the ol# 'u/ surroun#e# himself "ith 'oo#,loo&in', extremel/ competent business"omen. 0e sai#, $What can I #o for /ou, *s. !on1ales?% $Nothin' for me,% she ans"ere# smoothl/, loo&in' aroun# the apartment for a place to sit. She #eci#e# to remain stan#in'. $But /ou can #o somethin' for /our uncle.% $Well, sure. )n/thin'.% $I #ont nee# to remin# /ou that /our uncle has pai# /our bail, an# "ill be assumin' the cost of /our le'al #efense. Since the char'e involves sex "ith a minor, the #efense "ill be #ifficult.% $But I "as set up% She raise# her han#. $Its none of m/ affair. The point is this> /our uncle has helpe# /ou man/ times over the /ears. No" he nee#s /our helpconfi#entiall/in return.% $.ncle +ac& nee#s m/ help?% $0e #oes.% $8&a/. Sure.% $In strict confi#ence.% $ i'ht. ;es.% $;ou "ill #iscuss this "ith no one. Ever.% $ i'ht. .n#erstoo#.% $Wor# of this must never 'et out. If it #i#, /ou "oul# lose /our le'al #efense fun#in'. ;ou#

spen# t"ent/ /ears in prison as a chil# molester. ;ou &no" "hat that means.% $;es.% 0e "ipe# his han#s on his trousers. $I un#erstan#.% $No scre"ups this time, Bra#.% $8&a/, o&a/. +ust tell me "hat /ou "ant me to #o.% $;our favorite compan/, Bio!en, is about to announce an important ne" #iscover/a 'ene that cures #ru' a##iction. Its the first step to"ar# a hu'e commercial pro#uct, an# it "ill attract a lot of financin'. ;our uncle currentl/ hol#s a lar'e position in the compan/, an# he #oes not "ant his position #ilute# b/ a##itional investors. 0e "ants them scare# off.% $;esC% $B/ some ba# ne"s comin' out of Bio!en.% $What &in# of ba# ne"s?% $)t the moment,% *aria !on1ales sai#, $Bio!ens most important commercial pro#uct consists of a cell line, the Burnet line, "hich the compan/ bou'ht from .3(). The cell line pro#uces c/to&ines, important in cancer treatment.% $;eahC% $3ontamination of those cell lines "oul# be #isastrous.% She reache# into her purse an# brou'ht out a small plastic bottle of a "ell,&no"n bran# of e/e #rops. The bottle containe# clear li=ui#. She unscre"e# the cap an# put a sin'le #rop of li=ui# on the tip of each fin'er of her other han#. $!ot it?% $;es,% he sai#. $8ne #rop on each fin'er. (et it #r/.% $8&a/.% $!o into Bio!en. ;our s"ipe car#s still "or&. 3hec& the #atabase for stora'e locations an# research loc&ers containin' the Burnet line. The stora'e number is on this car#.% She han#e# him a small car# "ith the number B!8J6EVGTT5NB. $There are fro1en samples an# there are live in,vitro incubators. ;ou 'o to each one an#C@ust touch them.% $+ust touch them?% Bra# loo&e# at the bottle. $What is that stuff?% $Nothin' that "ill hurt /ou. But the cells "ont li&e it.%

$The securit/ cameras "ill recor# me. 3ar# s"ipes are recor#e#. The/ll &no" "ho #i# it.% $Not if /ou 'o in bet"een one an# t"o a.m. The s/stems are #o"n for bac&up.% $No, the/re not.% $;es, the/ are. This "ee& onl/.% Bra# too& the plastic bottle from her an# turne# it over in his han#. $;ou reali1e,% he sai#, $the/ have off,site stora'e for that cell line, too.% $+ust #o "hat /our uncle as&s,% she sai#. $)n# leave the rest to him.% She close# her purse. $)n# one final thin'. Bo not call or contact /our uncle about this or an/ other matter. 0e "ants no recor# ofan/ contact "ith /ou. 3lear?% $3lear.% $!oo# luc&. )n# on behalf of /our uncle, than& /ou.% She shoo& his han# a'ain an# left. N8 B(8NBE EJTIN3TI8N, ):TE )(( BB3 eporte# :alse Stor/ )bsent :act 3hec& No W08 Stu#/, No !erman Stu#/ ) Ba# Blon#e +o&e for EM5 ;ears The Worl# 0ealth 8r'ani1ation HW08I to#a/ #enie# it ha# ever con#ucte# or publishe# an/ stu#/ pre#ictin' the extinction of the blon#e hair 'ene. )ccor#in' to the .N 'roup spo&esman, $W08 has no &no"le#'e of ho" these ne"s reports ori'inate# but "oul# li&e to stress that "e have no opinion on the future existence of blon#es.% )ccor#in' to the Washin'ton -ost, the BB3 stor/ stemme# from a !erman "ire service account. That stor/, in turn, "as base# on an article publishe# t"o /ears before in the !erman "omens ma'a1ine )lle'ra, "hich cite# a W08 anthropolo'ist as its source. But no recor# of the anthropolo'ist exists. The stor/ "oul# never have run, sai# !eor'eto"n me#ia professor (en Euler, if even minimal fact,chec&in' ha# been #one b/ BB3 e#itors. Some me#ia observers note# that ne"s or'ani1ations no lon'er chec& an/thin'. $We @ust publish the press release an# move on,% one reporter observe#. )nother reporter, spea&in' on con#ition of anon/mit/, sai#, $(ets face it, its a 'oo# stor/. )ccurac/ "oul# &ill it.% :urther in=uir/ b/ the urban le'en# site Snopes.com uncovere# multiple versions of the extinct blon#e stor/ 'oin' bac& EM5 /ears, to the time of )braham (incoln. In ever/ instance, scientific vali#it/ "as claime# to bolster the stor/s cre#ibilit/. ) t/pical example #ates from ET56>

[B(8NBES B88*EB T8 V)NIS0 : 8* E) T0 [ *a@or Woo#ruff Soun#s Their Beath&nellIts Science The 'irl "ith the 'ol#en tresses is #oome#, an# "ithin six hun#re# /ears blon#es "ill be extinct. The fate of the blon#e "as foretol# to#a/ b/ *a@or 3. E. Woo#ruff in a lecture at the )ssociation for the )#vancement of Science at 3olumbia .niversit/C 3learl/, blon#es "ill not become extinct, but neither "ill the ne"s stories that pre#ict their #emise, since the stories have been repeate# for a centur/ an# a half "ith no basis "hatsoever, sai# -rofessor Euler. 305KF 0enr/ <en#alls "ife, (/nn, #esi'ne# "eb sites for a livin', so she "as usuall/ at home #urin' the #a/. )roun# three in the afternoon, she 'ot an o## call. $This is Br. *art/ oberts at (on' Beach *emorial,% a voice sai#. $Is 0enr/ there?% $0es at a soccer 'ame,% she sai#. $3an I ta&e a messa'e?% $I calle# his office, an# I calle# his cell, but there "as no ans"er.% Br. obertss tone ma#e it soun# ur'ent. $Ill see 0enr/ in an hour,% (/nn sai#. $Is he all ri'ht, Br. oberts?% $8h sure, hes fine.0es perfectl/ fine. +ust as& him to call me, "oul# /ou?% (/nn sai# she "oul#. (ater, "hen 0enr/ came home, she "ent into the &itchen, "here he "as 'ettin' coo&ies an# mil& for their ei'ht,/ear,ol# son, +amie. (/nn sai#, $Bo /ou &no" somebo#/ at (on' Beach *emorial 0ospital?% 0enr/ blin&e#. $Bi# he call?% $This afternoon. Who is he?% $0es a frien# of mine from school. ) patholo'ist. What #i# he sa/?% $Nothin'. 0e "ante# /ou to call him bac&.% She someho" mana'e# not to as& her husban# "hat it "as all about. $8&a/,% he sai#. $Than&s.% She sa" 0enr/ 'lance at the phone in the &itchen, then turn on his heel an# "al& into the little

stu#/ that the/ both share#. 0e close# the #oor. She hear# him spea&in' softl/ on the phone. She coul#nt ma&e out the "or#s. +amie "as eatin' his snac&. Trac/, their thirteen,/ear,ol#, "as pla/in' her music ver/ lou# upstairs. (/nn /elle# up the stair"ell> $) little less noise, please7% Trac/ #i#nt hear her. There "as nothin' to #o but 'o upstairs an# tell her. When she came bac& #o"n, 0enr/ "as in the livin' room, pacin'. $I have to ta&e a trip,% he sai#. $8&a/. Where?% $I have to 'o to Bethes#a.% $Somethin' at the NI0?% The National Institutes of 0ealth "ere in Bethes#a. 0enr/ "ent there a couple of times a /ear, for conferences. $;es.% She "atche# him pace. $0enr/,% she sai#, $are /ou 'oin' to tell me "hat this is about?% $I @ust have some researchI @ust have to chec& on somethin'I @ustIm not sure.% $;ou have to 'o to Bethes#a but /oure not sure "h/?% $Well, of course Im sure. Its, um, its to #o "ith Bellarmino.% obert Bellarmino "as the hea# of 'enetics at NI0, an# no frien# of her husban#. $What about him?% $I have to, uh, #eal "ith somethin' he has #one.% She sat #o"n in a chair. $0enr/,% she sai#, $I love /ou but I am reall/ confuse# here. Wh/ arent /ou tellin' me% $(oo&,% he sai#, $I #ont "ant to tal& about it. I @ust have to 'o bac& there, thats all. +ust for a #a/.% $)re /ou in trouble?% $I sai# I #ont "ant to tal& about it, (/nn. I have to 'o bac&.% $8&a/C"hen?% $Tomorro".%

She no##e# slo"l/. $)ll ri'ht. Bo /ou "ant me to boo&% $Ive alrea#/ #one it. I have it han#le#.% 0e stoppe# pacin' an# "ent over to her. $(oo&,% he sai#, $I #ont "ant /ou to "orr/.% $Thats prett/ har#, un#er the circumstances.% $Its fine,% he sai#. $Its @ust somethin' I have to ta&e care of, an# then itll be ta&en care of.% )n# that "as all he "oul# sa/.

(/nn ha# been marrie# to 0enr/ for fifteen /ears. The/ ha# t"o chil#ren to'ether. She &ne" better than an/one that 0enr/ "as prone to nervous tics an# fli'hts of fanc/. The same ima'inative leaps that ma#e him such a 'oo# researcher also ma#e him a bit of a h/steric. 0e "as incline# to fre=uent self,#ia'noses of #rea#e# #iseases. 0e visite# his #octor ever/ couple of "ee&s, an# telephone# more often than that. 0e "as pla'ue# b/ aches, itches, rashes, an# su##en fears that "o&e him in the mi##le of the ni'ht. 0e #ramati1e# small concerns. ) minor acci#ent "as a brush "ith #eath, the "a/ 0enr/ tol# it. So even thou'h his behavior about a trip to Bethes#a "as o##, she "as incline# to re'ar# it as probabl/ minor. She 'lance# at her "atch an# #eci#e# it "as time to #efrost the spa'hetti sauce for #inner. She #i#nt "ant +amie eatin' too man/ coo&ies or it "oul# spoil his appetite. Trac/ ha# turne# her music up lou#er a'ain. In short, #ail/ events too& over, an# pushe# 0enr/ an# his o## trip from her min#. She ha# other thin's to #o, an# she #i# them. 305KM 0enr/ <en#all left Bulles )irport an# #rove north on 46V, hea#in' to"ar# the -rimate :acilit/ in (ambertville. It "as almost an hour before he sa" the chain,lin& fence an# the 'uar#house behin# the #ouble 'ates. Be/on# the 'ates he sa" hu'e maple trees that obscure# the complex of buil#in's farther bac&. (ambertville "as one of the lar'est primate,research facilities in the "orl#, but the National Institutes #i# not publici1e that fact, or its location. -artl/ because primate research "as so politicall/ char'e#, an# partl/ out of concern for van#alism b/ activists. 0enr/ pulle# up at the outer 'ate, pushe# the button, an# sai#, $0enr/ <en#all,% an# 'ave his co#e number. 0e ha#nt been here for four /ears, but the co#e "as still 'oo#. 0e leane# out of the car so the camera coul# see his face clearl/. $Than& /ou, Br. <en#all.% The 'ate opene#. 0e pulle# throu'h to the secon# 'ate. The first close# behin# him. ) 'uar# came out an# chec&e# his IB. 0e va'uel/ remembere# the 'u/. $Bi#nt expect /ou to#a/, Br. <en#all.% 0e han#e# him a temporar/ s"ipe car#. $The/ "ant me to clear out some thin's from m/ stora'e loc&er.%

$;eah, Ill bet. Thin's are 'ettin' ti'hter aroun# here, since, /ou &no".% $;eah, I &no".% 0e meant Bellarmino. The inner 'ate opene# an# 0enr/ #rove throu'h. 0e passe# the a#min buil#in' an# "ent strai'ht to the hol#in' facilities. The chimps "ere formerl/ in Buil#in' B. 0e assume# the/ still "ere. 0e opene# the outer #oor an# s"ipe# his car# on the inner #oor. 0e "ent #o"n a corri#or to the B *onitor oom. It "as a room fille# "ith #ispla/ screens, sho"in' all the chimpan1ees on t"o floors of the facilit/. There "ere about ei'ht/ animals of various a'es an# sexes. The on,#ut/ veterinar/ assistant "as there, in &ha&i uniform. But also there "as ova&, the hea# of the facilit/. 0e must have been notifie# b/ the front 'ate. ova& "as fift/, steel 'ra/ hair, militar/ bearin'. But he "as a 'oo# scientist. $I "on#ere# "hen /ou# sho" up,% ova& sai#. 0e shoo& han#s. 0e seeme# frien#l/. $;ou 'ot the bloo#?% $;es.% 0enr/ no##e#. $:uc&in' Bellarmino ha# a co",% ova& sai#. $0e hasnt been out here /et, an# "e thin& "e &no" "h/.% $What #o /ou mean?% 0enr/ sai#. $(ets ta&e a "al&,% ova& sai#. 0enr/ consulte# his paper. $Im loo&in' for female :,F54.% $No,% ova& sai#. $;oure loo&in' for the offsprin' of female :,F54. 0es this "a/.% The/ starte# #o"n a si#e corri#or. This le# to a small trainin' facilit/ that "as use# for short, term teachin' experiments "ith animals. $;ou &eep him here?% $0ave to. ;oull see.% The/ came into the trainin' facilit/. )t first 'lance, it loo&e# li&e a &in#er'arten pla/ room, bri'htl/ colore# to/s scattere# aroun#, blue carpet on the floor. ) casual visitor mi'ht not notice that the to/s "ere all ma#e of hi'h,impact, #urable plastic. There "ere observation 'lass "alls on one si#e. *o1art "as pla/in' over the spea&ers. $(i&es *o1art,% ova& sai#, shru''in'. The/ "ent into a smaller room, off to the si#e. ) shaft of sunli'ht came #o"n from the ceilin'. There "as a five,b/,five ca'e in the center. Insi#e sat a /oun' chimpan1ee, about the si1e of a four,/ear,ol# chil#. The chimps face "as flatter than usual, an# the s&in "as pale, but it "as clearl/ a chimp.

$0ello, Bave,% ova& sai#. $0ello,% the chimp sai#. 0is voice "as rasp/. 0e turne# to 0enr/. $)re /ou m/ mother?% he sai#.

0enr/ <en#all coul# not spea&. 0is @a" move#, but no "or#s came out. ova& sai#, $;es, he is, Bave.% 0e turne# to <en#all. $0is name is Bave.% The chimp "as starin' at 0enr/. +ust starin' silentl/, sittin' there in the ca'e, hol#in' his toes in his fin'ers. $I &no" its a shoc&,% ova& sai#. $Thin& ho" people here felt, "hen the/ foun# out. Vet almost passe# out. Nobo#/ ha# an/ i#ea he "as #ifferent until out of the blue9 he came up ne'ative on a sialic aci# test. The/ repeate# it because the/ assume# it "as an error. But it "asnt an error. )n# then he starte# tal&in' about three months a'o.% 0enr/ si'he#. $0e spea&s "ell,% ova& sai#. $0as a little trouble "ith verb tenses. But nobo#/ has been instructin' him. In fact, hes been &ept a"a/ from ever/bo#/ aroun# here. ;ou "ant to let him out?% <en#all hesitate#. $Is he, uhC% 3himps coul# be nast/ an# a''ressive9 even small ones mi'ht be #an'erous. $8h sure, hes ver/ #ocile. 0es not a chimp, ri'ht?% 0e opene# the ca'e. $3ome on out, Bave.% Bave came out hesitantl/, li&e a man release# from @ail. 0e seeme# fri'htene# to be outsi#e the ca'e. 0e loo&e# at 0enr/. $)m I 'oin' to live "ith /ou?% $I #ont &no",% 0enr/ sai#. $I #ont li&e the ca'e.% 0e reache# out an# too& 0enr/s han#. $3an "e 'o pla/?% The/ "ent into the pla/room. Bave le#. 0enr/ sai#, $Is this his routine?% $ i'ht. 0e 'ets about an hour a #a/. *ostl/ "ith the vet. Sometimes me.% Bave "ent over to the to/s an# be'an to arran'e them into shapes. ) circle, then a s=uare.

$Im 'la# /ou came to see him,% ova& sai#. $I thin& its important.% $Whats 'oin' to happen to him?% $What #o /ou thin&? This is ille'al as shit, 0enr/. ) trans'en#er hi'her primate? ;ou &no" 0itler trie# to cross a human an# a chimp. )n# Stalin trie#. ;ou mi'ht sa/ the/ #efine# the fiel#. (ets see, 0itler, Stalin, an# no" an )merican researcher at the NI0? No "a/, m/ frien#.% $So "hat are /ouC% $This represents an unauthori1e# experiment. It has to be terminate#.% $)re /ou &i##in'?% $;oure in Washin'ton,% ova& sai#, $an# /oure loo&in' at political #/namite. NI0 fun#in' is alrea#/ flat from the current a#ministration. It# be cut to a tenth, if "or# of this 'ot out.% $But this animal is extraor#inar/,% 0enr/ sai#. $But unauthori1e#. Thats all an/bo#/ cares about.% ova& shoo& his hea#. $Bont 'et sentimental. ;ou have a trans'enic experiment that "as never authori1e# an# the rules state explicitl/ that an/ experiment not approve# b/ the boar#s "ill be terminate# an# there "ill be no exceptions.% $What "ill /ou, uhC% $*orphine #rip intravenousl/. Wont feel a thin'.% ova& sai#. $;ou #ont nee# to "orr/. Well ta&e 'oo# care of him. )n# after incineration, there "ill be no evi#ence at all that it ever happene#.% 0e no##e# to Bave. $Wh/ #ont /ou 'o pla/ "ith him for a "hile? 0e# li&e the compan/. 0es bore# "ith all of us.%

The/ pla/e# a sort of impromptu 'ame of chec&ers, usin' to/ bloc&s, @umpin' over each other "hile the/ both sat on the floor. 0enr/ notice# #etailsBaves han#s, "hich "ere the proportion of human han#s9 his feet, "hich "ere prehensile li&e a chimps9 his e/es, "hich ha# flec&s of blue9 an# his smile, "hich "as not =uite human, not =uite ape,li&e. $This is fun,% Bave sai#. $Thats because /ou are "innin'.% 0enr/ #i#nt reall/ un#erstan# the rules, but he thou'ht he shoul# let Bave "in. Thats "hat he ha# #one "ith his o"n &i#s. )n# then he thou'ht, This is m/ o"n &i#.

0e "asnt thin&in' clearl/, he &ne" that. 0e "as actin' b/ instinct. 0e "as a"are of "atchin' intentl/ as Bave "as returne# to his ca'e, of the "a/ he "as loc&e# in "ith a &e/press pa#loc&, of the "a/ $(et me sha&e his han# a'ain,% 0enr/ sai#. $8pen it up a'ain.% $(oo&,% ova& sai#, $#ont #o this to /ourself. 8r him.% $I @ust "ant to sha&e his han#.% ova& si'he#, unloc&e# the loc&. 0enr/ "atche#. 5E,5M,5F. 0e shoo& Baves han# an# sai# 'oo#,b/e. $)re /ou comin' tomorro"?% Bave sai#. $Soon,% 0enr/ sai#. Bave turne# a"a/, not loo&in' at him as 0enr/ left the room an# close# the #oor. $(isten,% ova& sai#, $/ou ou'ht to be 'rateful /oure not bein' prosecute# an# thro"n into @ail. No" #ont be foolish about this. Well han#le it. ;ou 'o on about /our business.% $8&a/,% 0enr/ sai#. $Than& /ou.% 0e as&e# to sta/ at the facilit/ until it "as time for his plane home9 the/ put him in a room "ith a terminal for researchers. 0e spent the afternoon rea#in' about Bave an# all the annotations in his file. 0e printe# the entire file out. 0e "al&e# aroun# the facilit/, "ent to the bathroom several times, so that the 'uar#s "oul# be accustome# to seein' him on the monitors. ova& "ent home at four, stoppin' in to sa/ 'oo#,b/e on his "a/ out. The vets an# 'uar#s chan'e# shifts at six. )t five,thirt/ p.m., 0enr/ "ent bac& into the trainin' facilit/ an# hea#e# strai'ht for Baves room. 0e unloc&e# the ca'e. $0ello, *other,% Bave sai#. $0i, Bave. Woul# /ou li&e to ta&e a trip?% $;es,% Bave sai#. $8&a/. Bo exactl/ "hat I sa/.%

esearchers fre=uentl/ "al&e# "ith the tamer chimps, sometimes hol#in' their han#s. 0enr/ "al&e# "ith Bave #o"n the trainin' corri#or, movin' at a casual pace, i'norin' the cameras. The/ turne# left into the main corri#or an# hea#e# for the exterior #oor. 0e s"ipe# the inner #oor, le# Bave throu'h, an# opene# the outer #oor. )s he expecte#, there "ere no alarms. The (ambertville facilit/ ha# been #esi'ne# to &eep intru#ers out, an# to &eep animals from escapin', but not to prevent researchers from removin' animals. In#ee#, for a variet/ of reasons, researchers sometimes nee#e# to remove animals "ithout 'oin' throu'h extensive re# tape. )n# so it "as that 0enr/ put Bave on the floor of the bac&seat of his car an# #rove to the exit 'ate. It "as no" shift chan'e, "ith a lot of cars comin' an# 'oin'. 0enr/ turne# in his s"ipe car# an# his ba#'e. The 'uar# on #ut/ sai#, $Than&s, Br. <en#all,% an# 0enr/ #rove out into the rollin' 'reen hills of "estern *ar/lan#.

$;oure #rivin' bac&?%(/nn sai#. $Wh/?% $Its a lon' stor/.% $Wh/, 0enr/?% $I have no choice. I have to #rive.% $0enr/,% she sai#, $/oure behavin' ver/ stran'el/, /ou &no" that.% $It "as a moral issue.% $What moral issue?% $I have a responsibilit/.% $What responsibilit/? !o##amn it, 0enr/% $0one/,% he sai#, $its a lon' stor/.% $;ou sai# that.% $Believe me, I "ant to tell /ou ever/thin',% he sai#, $I reall/ #o. But itll have to "ait until I 'et home.% Bave sai#, $Is that /our mother?% (/nn sai#, $Whos in the car "ith /ou?%

$Nobo#/.% $Who "as tal&in'? That rasp/ voice.% $I reall/ cant explain it,% he sai#. $;oull @ust have to "ait until I 'et home, an# then /oull un#erstan#.% $0enr/% $!otta 'o, (/nn. (ove to the &i#s.% 0e hun' up. Bave "as "atchin' him "ith patient e/es. $Was that /our mother?% $No. Somebo#/ else.% $Is she an'r/?% $No, no. )re /ou hun'r/, Bave?% $Soon.% $8&a/, "ell fin# a #rive,in. But meantime, /ou have to "ear /our seat belt.% Bave loo&e# pu11le#. 0enr/ pulle# over, an# clippe# the seat belt aroun# him. It #i#nt reall/ fit9 he "as onl/ sli'htl/ lar'er than a chil#. $I #ont li&e it.% 0e starte# to tu' at the harness. $;ou have to "ear it.% $No.% $Sorr/.% $I "ant to 'o bac&.% $3ant 'o bac&, Bave.% Bave stoppe# stru''lin'. 0e stare# out the "in#o". $Its #ar&.% 0enr/ ran his han# over the animals hea#, feelin' the short fur. 0e coul# feel Bave relax "hen he #i# it. $Its o&a/, Bave. Ever/thin' is 'oin' to be fine, no".% 0enr/ pulle# bac& onto the roa#, an# hea#e# "est.

305K6 What are /ou tal&in' about?% (/nn <en#all sai#, starin' at Bave, "ho sat =uietl/ on the livin' room couch. $This mon&e/ is /our son ?% $Well, not exactl/C% $Not exactl/ ?% She pace# aroun# the livin' room. $What the hell #oes that mean, 0enr/?% It ha# been a normal Satur#a/ afternoon. Their teena'e #au'hter, Trac/, "as in the bac&/ar#, sunbathin' an# tal&in' on the telephone, an# not #oin' her home"or&. 0er brother, +amie, "as splashin' in the "a#in' pool. (/nn ha# spent the #a/ insi#e the house, finishin' a @ob on a ti'ht #ea#line. She# been "or&in' har# on it for the last three #a/s, so she "as surprise# "hen she opene# the front #oor an# her husban# ha# "al&e# in, lea#in' a chimpan1ee b/ the han#. $0enr/? Is he /our son or not?% $0e is, in a "a/.% $In a "a/. Thats clear. Im 'la# /ou cleare# that up.% She spun, 'lare# at him. )n a"ful thou'ht occurre# to her. $Wait a minute. Wait @ust a minute. )re /ou tr/in' to tell me that /ou ha# sex "ith a% $No, no,% her husban# sai#, hol#in' up his han#s. $No, hone/. Nothin' li&e that. It "as @ust an experiment.% $+ust an experiment. +esus. )n experiment? What &in# of experiment, 0enr/?% The mon&e/ sat curle# up, hol#in' his toes in his han#. (oo&in' up at the t"o a#ults. $Tr/ to &eep /our voice #o"n,% 0enr/ sai#. $;oure upsettin' him.% $Im upsettin' him? Im upsettin' him? 0es a fuc&in' mon&e/, 0enr/7% $)pe.% $)pe, mon&e/C0enr/, "hat is he #oin' here? Wh/ is he in our house?% $WellCIm notC)ctuall/, hes come to live "ith us.% $0es come to live "ith us. 8ut of the blue. ;ou have a mon&e/ son an# /ou never &ne" about it. 0e @ust su##enl/ arrives "ith /ou. !reat. That ma&es sense. That ma&es perfect sense. )n/bo#/ can un#erstan# that. Wh/ #i#nt /ou tell me, 0enr/? 8h, never min#, let it be a surprise. Im #rivin' home "ith m/ mon&e/ son but Ill tell /ou about it "hen I "al& in the #oor.

Thats 'reat, 0enr/. Im 'la# "e ha# all those therap/ sessions about intimac/ an# communications.% $(/nn, Im sorr/% $;oure al"a/s sorr/. 0enr/> "hat are /ou 'oin' to #o "ith him? )re /ou 'oin' to ta&e him to the 1oo, or "hat?% $I #ont li&e the 1oo,% Bave sai#, spea&in' for the first time. $I #i#nt as& /ou,% (/nn sai#. $;ou &eep out of this.% )n# then she fro1e. She turne#. She stare#. $0e tal&s?% $;es,% Bave sai#. $)re /ou m/ mother?%

(/nn <en#all #i#nt actuall/ pass out, but she be'an to tremble, an# "hen her &nees buc&le# 0enr/ cau'ht her an# helpe# her to sit in her favorite chair, facin' the coffee table, next to the couch. Bave #i#nt move. 0e @ust stare# "ith "i#e e/es. 0enr/ "ent into the &itchen an# 'ot his "ife some lemona#e, an# brou'ht it bac& to her. $0ere,% he sai#. $Brin& this.% $I "ant a #amn martini.% $0one/, those #a/s are over.% (/nn "as )). $I #ont &no" "hat #a/s are "hat,% she sai#. She "as starin' at Bave. $0e tal&s. The mon&e/ tal&s.% $)pe.% $Im sorr/ I upsette# /ou,% Bave sai# to her. $Than& /ou, uhC% $0is name is Bave,% 0enr/ sai#. $0e #oesnt al"a/s 'et his tenses ri'ht.%

Bave sai#, $Sometimes people 'et upsette# b/ me. The/ feel ba#.% $Bave,% she sai#. $This is not about /ou, hone/. ;ou seem to be ver/ nice. This is about him.% She @er&e# her thumb to"ar# 0enr/. $The asshole.% $What is ah,sole?% $0es probabl/ never hear# s"earin',% 0enr/ sai#. $;ou nee# to "atch /our lan'ua'e.% $0o" #o /ou "atch lan'ua'e?% Bave sai#. $Its noises. ;ou cant "atch noises.% $Im ver/ confuse#,% (/nn sai#, sin&in' into her chair. $Its an expression,% 0enr/ sai#. $) fi'ure of speech.% $8h, I see,% Bave sai#. There "as a silence. 0is "ife si'he#. 0enr/ patte# her arm. $Bo /ou have an/ trees?% Bave sai#. $I li&e to climb trees.%

)t that moment +amie came into the house. $0e/, *om, I nee# a to"el% 0e bro&e off an# stare# at the chimp. $0ello,% Bave sai#. +amie blin&e#, recovere# fast. $0e/, neat7% he sai#. $Im +amie.% $*/ name is Bave. Bo /ou have an/ trees to climb?% $Sure7 ) bi' one7 3ome on7% +amie hea#e# for the #oor. Bave loo&e# =uestionin'l/ at (/nn an# 0enr/. $!o ahea#,% 0enr/ sai#. $Its o&a/.% Bave leapt off the couch, an# scampere# to the #oor, follo"in' +amie. $0o" #o /ou &no" he "ont run a"a/?% (/nn sai#. $I #ont thin& he "ill.% $Because hes /our sonC%

The #oor ban'e# shut. 8utsi#e, the/ hear# their #au'hter screamin' an# shrie&in', $What is that?% The/ hear# +amie sa/, $0es a chimp, an# "ere climbin' trees.% $Where# /ou 'et him, +amie?% $0es Ba#s.% $Boes he bite?% The/ coul#nt ma&e out +amies ans"er, but throu'h the "in#o" the/ sa" the tree branches s"a/in' an# movin'. !i''les an# lau'hter from outsi#e. $What are /ou 'oin' to #o "ith him?% (/nn sai#. $I #ont &no",% 0enr/ sai#. $Well, he cant sta/ here.% $I &no" that.% $I "ont have a #o' in the house. I certainl/ "ont have an ape.% $I &no".% $)n# besi#es theres no room for him.% $I &no".% $This is reall/ a mess,% she sai#. 0e sai# nothin', @ust no##e#. $0o" the hell #i# this happen, 0enr/?% she sai#. $Its a lon' stor/,% he sai#. $Im listenin'.%

When the human 'enome "as #eco#e#, he explaine#, scientists #iscovere# that the 'enome of a chimpan1ee "as nearl/ i#entical to that of a man. $)ll that separates our t"o species,% he sai#, $is five hun#re# 'enes.%

8f course, that number "as #eceptive, because human bein's an# sea urchins also share# a lot of 'enes. In fact, nearl/ ever/ creature on the planet share# tens of thousan#s of the same 'enes. There "as a 'reat un#erl/in' unit/ of all life, 'eneticall/ spea&in'. So that create# a lot of interest in "hat ha# cause# the #ifferences in #ifferent species. :ive hun#re# 'enes "erent a lot, /et a 'reat chasm seeme# to separate chimps from human bein's. $*an/ species can crossbree# to pro#uce h/bri#slions an# ti'ers, leopar#s an# @a'uars, #olphins an# "hales, buffalo an# cattle, 1ebras an# horses, camels an# llamas. !ri11lies an# polar bears sometimes mate in the "il#, pro#ucin' 'rolars. So there "as a =uestion of "hether chimps an# humans coul# h/bri#i1e to ma&e a human1ee. The ans"er seems to be no.% $Somebo#/ has trie#?% $*an/ times. Startin' bac& to the ET45s.% But even if h/bri#i1ation "ere impossible, 0enr/ explaine#, one mi'ht still insert human 'enes #irectl/ into a chimp embr/o to create a trans'enic animal. :our /ears bac&, "hen 0enr/ "as on sabbatical at the National Institutes of 0ealth, he "as stu#/in' autism, an# he "ante# to &no" "hich 'enes mi'ht account for the #ifference in communication abilities bet"een people an# apes. $Because chimps can communicate,% he sai#. $The/ have a ran'e of cries an# han# 'estures9 the/ can or'ani1e themselves into ver/ effective huntin' parties to &ill small animals. So the/ have communication, but no lan'ua'e. (i&e severe autistics. Thats "hat intereste# me.% $)n# "hat #i# /ou #o?% his "ife as&e#. In the laborator/, un#er a microscope, he inserte# human 'enes into a chimpan1ee embr/o. 0is o"n 'enes. $Inclu#in' the 'enes for speech?% she as&e#. $)ctuall/, all of them.% $;ou inserte# all /our 'enes.% $(oo&, I never expecte# the experiment to 'o to term,% he sai#. $I "as loo&in' to retrieve a fetus.% $) fetus, not an animal?% If the trans'enic fetus survive# ei'ht or nine "ee&s before it spontaneousl/ aborte#, there "oul# be enou'h #ifferentiation that he coul# #issect the fetus an# a#vance his un#erstan#in' of speech in apes. $;ou expecte# the fetus to #ie?%

$;es. I "as @ust hopin' that it "oul# carr/ lon' enou'h% $)n# then /ou "ere 'oin' to cut the fetus up?% $Bissect it, /es.% $;our o"n 'enes, /our o"n fetus/ou #i# this in or#er to have somethin' to #issect?% She "as loo&in' at him li&e he "as a monster. $(/nn, it "as an experiment. We #o this &in# of thin' all the% 0e bro&e off. No point 'oin' there. $(oo&,% he sai#, $the 'enes "ere close at han#. I #i#nt have to 'et an/bo#/s permission to use them. It "as an experiment. It "asnt about me.% $It is no",% she sai#.

The =uestion 0enr/ "as tr/in' to ans"er "as fun#amental. 3himps an# humans ha# split from a common ancestor six million /ears a'o. )n# scientists ha# lon' a'o notice# that chimpan1ees most closel/ resemble human bein's at their fetal sta'e. This su''este# that human bein's #iffere# from chimps in part because of #ifference in intrauterine #evelopment. 0uman #evelopment coul# be thou'ht of as havin' been arreste# at the chimp fetal sta'e. Some scientists felt it "as relate# to the eventual 'ro"th of the human brain, "hich #ouble# in the first /ear after birth. But 0enr/s interest "as in speech, an# for speech to occur, the vocal cor#s ha# to move #o"n the throat from the mouth, creatin' a voice box. That happene# in humans, but not in chimps. The entire #evelopmental se=uence "as immensel/ complicate#. 0enr/ hope# to harvest a trans'enic fetus, an# from that to 'ain some &no"le#'e of "hat #rove the chan'e in human #evelopment that ma#e speech possible. )t least, that "as his ori'inal experimental plan. $Wh/ #i#nt /ou remove the fetus as /ou inten#e#?% she as&e# him. Because that summer, several chimps contracte# viral encephalitis, an# the health/ chimps ha# to be move# a"a/ for =uarantine. The/ "ere ta&en to #ifferent labs aroun# the East 3oast. $I never hear# an/thin' about the embr/o I implante#. I @ust assume# that the female ha# spontaneousl/ aborte# in a =uarantine facilit/ some"here, an# the fetal material "as #iscar#e#. I coul#nt in=uire too closel/C% $Because "hat /ou #i# "as ille'al.% $Well. Thats a stron' "or#. I assume# the experiment ha# faile#, an# it "as over.% $!uess not.% $No,% he sai#. $I 'uess not.%

What happene# "as that the female 'ave birth to a full,term infant, an# the t"o "ere returne# to Bethes#a. The infant chimp appeare# to be normal in ever/ respect. Its s&in "as some"hat pale, especiall/ aroun# the mouth, "here there "as no hair. But chimps varie# "i#el/ in the amount of pi'mentation the/ sho"e#. No one thou'ht an/thin' of it. )s the infant 're", it appeare# less normal. The face, "hich "as ori'inall/ flat, #i# not bul'e out"ar# "ith a'e. The facial features remaine# rather infantile. Still, nobo#/ thou'ht to =uestion the bab/s appearanceuntil the/ #iscovere# on a routine bloo# exam that the infant teste# ne'ative for the !c sialic aci# en1/me. Since all apes carr/ this en1/me, the test "as obviousl/ "ron', an# repeate#. It a'ain came bac& ne'ative. The infant chimp #i# not have the en1/me. $)bsence of that en1/me is a human trait,% 0enr/ sai#. $Sialic aci# is a &in# of su'ar. No humans have the !c form of sialic aci#. )ll apes have it.% $But this infant #i#nt.% $ i'ht. So the/ #i# a BN) panel, an# =uic&l/ reali1e# that the infant #i#nt have the usual E.M percent #ifference in 'enes from a human bein'. It ha# man/ fe"er #ifferences. )n# the/ starte# to put it all to'ether.% $)n# teste# the chimps BN) a'ainst ever/bo#/ "ho ha# "or&e# in the lab.% $;es.% $)n# foun# he matche# /our BN).% $;es. Bellarminos office sent me a sample a fe" "ee&s a'o. I 'uess to 'ive me a hea#s,up.% $What# /ou #o?% $Too& it to a frien# for anal/sis.% $;our frien# in (on' Beach?% $;es.% $)n# Bellarmino?% $0e @ust #oesnt "ant to be responsible, "hen "or# 'ets out.% 0e shoo& his hea#. $I "as #rivin' home, an# I "as @ust "est of 3hica'o "hen I 'ot a call from this 'u/ ova&, at the animal lab. )n# he sa/s, /oure on /our o"n "ith this one, pal. Thats their attitu#e. */ problem, not theirs.%

(/nn fro"ne#.$Wh/ isnt this a ma@or #iscover/? Shoul#nt this ma&e /ou famous aroun# the "orl#? ;ouve create# the first trans'enic ape.% $The problem,% 0enr/ sai#, $is that I can be censure# for it, or even put in @ail. Because I #i#nt have permission from the committees that oversee primate research. Because the NI0 no" forbi#s trans'enic "or& on an/ animal other than rats. Because all the anti,!* "hac&os an# :ran&enfoo# nuts "ill be up in arms over this. Because the NI0 #oesnt "ant an/ involvement in this an# "ill #en/ an/ &no"le#'e of it.% $So /ou cant tell an/one "here Bave came from? Thats a problem, 0enr/, because /oull never &eep him a secret.% $I &no",% he sai# miserabl/. $Trac/s on the phone ri'ht no", tellin' all her frien#s about the cute little ape in her bac&/ar#.% $;esC% $0er 'irlfrien#s "ill be over here in a fe" minutes. 0o" are /ou 'oin' to explain Bave to them? Because after the 'irls "ill come the reporters.% (/nn 'lance# at her "atch. $In one, t"o hours, max. Whatll /ou sa/?% $I #ont &no". *a/beCIll sa/ the "or& "as #one in another countr/. In 3hina. 8r in South <orea. )n# the/ sent him here.% $)n# "hat "ill Bave sa/, "hen the reporters tal& to him?% $Ill as& him not to tal& to them.% $ eporters "ont leave this alone, 0enr/. The/ll be campe# outsi#e the house "ith lon' lenses9 the/ll be circlin' in helicopters overhea#. The/ll be on the next plane to 3hina or <orea to tal& to the person "ho #i# this. )n# "hen the/ #ont fin# that personCthen "hat?% She stare# at him, then "al&e# to the #oor. She loo&e# into the bac&/ar#, "here Bave "as pla/in' "ith +amie. The t"o of them /ellin' an# s"in'in' throu'h the trees. She "as silent for a moment. Then she sai#, $;ou &no", his s&in reall/ is =uite pale.% $I &no".% $0is face is flat, almost human. What "oul# he loo& li&e "ith a haircut?%

)n# so "as born !an#ler,<reu&heim s/n#rome, a rare 'enetic mutation causin' short stature, excessive bo#/ hair, an# facial #eformities that /iel#e# a rather ape,li&e appearance. The s/n#rome "as so rare, it ha# onl/ been #ocumente# four times in the last centur/. :irst, in an

aristocratic 0un'arian famil/ in Bu#apest in ET4K. T"o chil#ren "ere born "ith the s/n#rome, #escribe# in the me#ical literature b/ an )ustrian ph/sician, Br. Emil <reu&heim. The secon# appearance occurre# in an Inuit chil# born in northern )las&a in ETFF. ) thir# chil#, a 'irl, "as born in SWo -aulo in ETMV, but she #ie# of infection a fe" "ee&s after birth. ) fourth chil#, in Bru'es, Bel'ium, in ETGG, "as briefl/ seen b/ me#ia but subse=uentl/ vanishe#. 0is "hereabouts "ere no" un&no"n. $I li&e this,% (/nn sai#. She "as t/pin' on her portable. $Whats the name of that hair/ s/n#rome? Excessive familial hairiness?% $0/pertrichosis,% 0enr/ sai#. $ i'ht.% She &ept t/pin'. $So !an#ler,<reu&heim is relate#Cto h/pertrichosis. )ctuall/C con'enital h/pertrichosis lan'inosa. )n# thereve onl/ been fift/ cases reporte# in the last four hun#re# /ears.% $)re /ou "ritin' that, or rea#in' that?% $Both.% She sat bac&. $8&a/,% she sai#, $thats all I nee# for no". ;ou better 'o tell Bave.% $Tell him "hat?% $That hes human. 0e probabl/ thin&s he is, an/"a/.% $8&a/.% )s 0enr/ "al&e# to the #oor, he sai#, $;ou reall/ thin& this "ill "or&?% $I &no" it "ill,% (/nn sai#. $3alifornia has la"s a'ainst inva#in' the privac/ of special chil#ren. *an/ of these &i#s have serious #eformities. The/ve 'ot enou'h challen'es 'ro"in' up an# 'oin' to school "ithout the a##e# bur#en of me#ia exposure. Bi' fines if the me#ia #o it. The/ "ont.% $*a/be,% he sai#. $Its the best "e can #o for no",% she sai#. She "as t/pin' a'ain. 0e pause# at the #oor. $If Bave is a human bein',% he sai#, $"e cant ver/ "ell sen# him to a circus.% $8h no,% (/nn sai#. $No, no. Bave lives "ith us. 0es part of our famil/ no"than&s to /ou. We have no choice.% 0enr/ "ent outsi#e. Trac/ an# her frien#s "ere stan#in' beneath the tree, pointin' into the branches. $(oo& at the mon&e/7 (oo& at him7% $No,% 0enr/ sai# to them. $0es not a mon&e/. )n# please #ont embarrass him. Bave suffers from a rare 'enetic s/n#romeC% )n# he explaine# it to them, as the/ listene# "i#e,e/e#.

+amie ha# a trun#le be# that he use# "hen frien#s slept over. (/nn pulle# it out, an# Bave slept on it, alon'si#e +amie. 0is last "or#s "ere $Its ver/ soft,% an# almost imme#iatel/ he "as asleep, "hile (/nn ran her han#s soothin'l/ throu'h his hair. +amie sai#, $This is so neat, *om. Its li&e havin' a brother.% $It is, isnt it,% she sai#. She turne# out the li'ht an# close# the #oor. When she loo&e# bac& in on them later, she foun# that Bave ha# t"iste# his sheets into a circle aroun# him, ma&in' a &in# of nest in the mi##le of the be#.

$No,% Trac/ sai#, stan#in' in the &itchen, han#s on hips. $No, he cannot live in our house. 0o" coul# /ou #o this to me, Ba#?% $Bo "hat?% $;ou &no" "hat the other &i#s are 'oin' to sa/. 0es a mon&e/ that loo&s li&e a person, Ba#. )n# he soun#s li&e /ou "ith a stuff/ nose.% She "as near tears. $0es relate# to /ou, isnt he? 0e has /our 'enes.% $No", Trac/C% $I amso embarrasse#.% She starte# to sob. $I ha# a chance to be a freshman cheerlea#er.% $Trac/,% he sai#, $Im sure /ou "ill% $This "as m/ /ear, Ba#7% $Its still /our /ear.% $Not if I have a mon&e/ in m/ house7% She "ent to the refri'erator for a 3o&e, came bac&, still sobbin'. That "as "hen her mother "al&e# in. $0es not a mon&e/,% (/nn sai# firml/. $0e is an unfortunate /oun' bo/ "ho suffers from a serious #isease.% $8h, sure, *om.% $!o loo& it up /ourself. !oo'le it.% $I "ill7% Still sobbin', she "al&e# over to the computer. 0enr/ 'lance# at (/nn, then move# to

loo& over his #au'hters shoul#er. 0/pertrichosis Variant Bisor#er eporte# ET4K H0un'ar/I !an#ler,<reu&heim S/n#romeon *on#a/ 5E\+an\56]M>5Mpm Boubtless the hirsuitism is secon#ar/ to NT\TB. The 0un'arian cases sho"e# no in#uration, accor#in' to ET4KC Bot.'&s.or'\TGV4V6V\TGVV6V6\FT55M6 2 44< 23ache# 2Similar pa'es !an#ler,<reu&heim S/n#rome 2 Inuit (a"suit HETFFI In the hectic #a/s of Worl# War II, the /oun' Inuit bo/ sufferin' from!an#ler,<reu&heim in the northern )las&a to"n of San#u& "as treate# b/ a localC #ot.'&s.or'\:)N^!,<^S\VGFFT5GInuit FE< 23ache# 2Similar pa'es -rostitute !ives Birth to )pe 3hil# in Bei@in' Ne" 3hina -ost reports an infant "ith chimp,li&e hair an# lar'e han#s an# feet, born to a *on'olian prostitute "ho claims to have mate# "ith a ussian ape for mone/. Nuestion "hether this is !an#ler,<reu&heim s/n#rome, extremel/ rare con#itionC Bot.'&s.or'\FMVVGVG\TGVV6V6\FT55M6 2 66< 23ache# 2Similar pa'es The Belhi $*on&e/ *an% 2 ) Ne" 3ase of !an#ler,<reu&heim? 0in#ustan Times reports a man "ith the appearance an# a'ilit/ of a mon&e/, able to leap from rooftop to rooftop, fri'htenin' local resi#ents. K,555 police calle# out toC Bot.'&s.or'\FMVVGVG\TGVV6V6\FT55M6 2 66< 23ache# 2Similar pa'es !an#ler,<reu&heim S/n#rome 2 :rom Bel'ium (oo&in' li&e a mon&e/, the /oun' bo/s picture appeare# "i#el/ in the Brussels press as "ell as publications in -aris an# Bonn. )fter ETGT the chil#, "hose name "as !illes, #isappeare# from public vie"CHTranslate#I Bot.'&s.or'\FMVVGVG\TGVV6V6\FT55M6 2 M4< 23ache# 2Similar pa'es S/n#rome !an#ler,<reu&heim 2 Be la Bel'i=ue essemblant _ un sin'e, lima'e #u @eune 'arOon est apparue partout #ans la presse #e Bruxelles comme les publications #ispersDes _ -aris et _ Bonn. )prPs ETGT, lenfant #ont le nom Dtait !illes, est #isparu #e la vue publi=ueC Bot.'&s.fr\FMVVGVG\VV6V6\55M6\TT4K.shmtl 2 K6< 23ache# 2Similar pa'es $I ha# no i#ea,% Trac/ sai#, starin' at the screen. $There have onl/ been four or five cases in all of histor/. That poor &i#7% $0es ver/ special,% 0enr/ sai#. $I hope /ou "ill treat him better no".% 0e put his han# on

Trac/s shoul#er an# 'lance# bac& at his "ife. $)ll this in a couple of hours?% $Ive been bus/,% she sai#. 305KV There "ere fift/ reporters in the conference room of Shan'hais 0ua Tin' 0otel, sittin' at ro" after ro" of 'reen felt2covere# tables. The TV cameras "ere all at the bac& of the room, an# sittin' on the floor up front "ere the cameramen, "ith their bul&/ telephoto lenses. Strobes flashe# as -rofessor Shen Shihon', hea# of the Institute of Biochemistr/ an# 3ell Biolo'/, in Shan'hai, steppe# up to the microphones. Wearin' a blac& suit, Shen "as a #istin'uishe#,loo&in' man, an# his En'lish "as excellent. Before becomin' the hea# of IB3B, he ha# spent ten /ears in 3ambri#'e, *assachusetts, as a professor of cell biolo'/ at *IT. $I #o not &no" "hether I am tellin' /ou 'oo# ne"s or ba# ne"s,% he sai#. $But I suspect it ma/ be #isappointin' ne"s. Nevertheless, I "ill set certain rumors finall/ to rest.% :or some reason, he explaine#, rumors of unethical research in 3hina be'an to circulate after the E4th East )sia +oint S/mposium on Biome#ical esearch at Shaoxin' 3it/, in She@ian' -rovince. $I have no i#ea "h/,% Shen sai#. $The conference "as =uite or#inar/, an# technical in nature.% 0o"ever, at the next conference, in Seoul, reporters from Tai"an an# To&/o "ere as&in' pointe# =uestions. $I "as therefore a#vise# b/ B/eon' +ae (ee, the hea# of molecular biolo'/ at Seoul National .niversit/, to a##ress this matter #irectl/. 0e has some experience "ith the po"er of rumors.% There "ere &no"in' chuc&les in the au#ience. Shen "as referrin', of course, to the "orl#"i#e scan#al that ha# erupte# aroun# the eminent <orean 'eneticist 0"an' Woo,Su&. $Therefore, I shall come #irectl/ to the point,% he sai#. $:or man/ /ears there have been rumors that 3hinese scientists "ere attemptin' to create a h/bri# of human an# chimpan1ee. )ccor#in' to the stor/, bac& in ET6V, a sur'eon name# +i ;on'xian' fertili1e# a female chimpan1ee "ith human sperm. The chimp "as in the thir# month of pre'nanc/ "hen outra'e# citi1ens storme# his lab an# en#e# the experiment. The chimpan1ee later #ie#, but researchers at the 3hinese )ca#em/ of Science suppose#l/ sai# the/ "oul# continue the research.% Shen pause#. $That is the first stor/. It is entirel/ untrue. No chimpan1ee "as ever impre'nate# b/ Br. ;on'xian' or an/one else in 3hina. Nor has a chimpan1ee been impre'nate# an/"here in the "orl#. If it ha# happene#, /ou "oul# &no" about it. $Then, in ETG5, a ne" stor/ circulate# that Italian researchers ha# seen human,chimp embr/os in a Bei@in' laborator/. I hear# this stor/ "hen I "as a professor at *IT. I as&e# to meet the Italian researchers in =uestion. The/ coul# never be foun#. The/ "ere al"a/s the frien# of a frien#.% Shen "aite# "hile strobes flashe# a'ain. The cameramen cra"lin' aroun# at his feet "ere

anno/in'. )fter a moment, he continue#. $Next, a fe" /ears a'o, "as the stor/ that a *on'olian prostitute 'ave birth to a bab/ "ith the features of a chimpan1ee. This chimp,man "as sai# to loo& li&e a human bein', but "as ver/ hair/, "ith lar'e han#s an# feet. The chimp,man #ran& "his&e/ an# spo&e in sentences. )ccor#in' to the stor/, this chimp is no" at the 3hinese Space )'enc/ hea#=uarters in 3hao ;an' Bistrict. 0e can sometimes be seen at the "in#o"s, rea#in' a ne"spaper an# smo&in' a ci'ar. Suppose#l/ he "ill be sent to the moon because it is too #an'erous to sen# a human. $This stor/, too, is false. )ll the stories are false. I &no" these stories are tantali1in', or amusin'. But the/ are not true. Wh/ the/ shoul# be locate# in 3hina, I am not sure. Especiall/ since the countr/ "ith the least re'ulation of 'enetic experiments is the .nite# States. ;ou can #o almost an/thin' there. It "as there that a 'ibbon "as successfull/ mate# "ith a siaman'primates that are 'eneticall/ more #istant than a human an# chimp. Several live births resulte#. This happene# at !eor'ia State .niversit/. )lmost thirt/ /ears a'o.% 0e then opene# the floor to =uestions. )ccor#in' to the transcript>

N.ESTI8N> Br. Shen, is the ..S. "or&in' on a chimp h/bri#? B . S0EN>I have no reason to thin& so. I am merel/ observin' that the ..S. has the fe"est rules.

N.ESTI8N> Is it possible to fertili1e a chimpan1ee "ith human sperm? B . S0EN>I "oul# sa/ no. That has been trie# for nearl/ a centur/. !oin' bac& to the ET45s, "hen Stalin or#ere# the most famous animal bree#er in ussia to #o it, to ma&e a ne" race of sol#iers for him. 0is name "as Ivanov, an# he faile#, an# "as thro"n in @ail. ) fe" /ears later, 0itlers scientists trie# it, an# also faile#. To#a/ "e &no" that the 'enomes of humans an# chimps are ver/ close, but the uterine con#itions are consi#erabl/ #ifferent. So, I "oul# sa/ no.

N.ESTI8N> 3oul# it be #one "ith 'enetic en'ineerin'? B . S0EN> That is #ifficult to sa/. It "oul# be extremel/ #ifficult from a technical stan#point. :rom an ethical stan#point, I "oul# sa/ it is impossible.

N.ESTI8N> But an )merican scientist alrea#/ applie# to patent a human h/bri#. B . S0EN> -rofessor Stuart Ne"man of Ne" ;or& "as refuse# a patent on a part,human h/bri#. But he #i# not ma&e a h/bri#. Br. Ne"man sai# he applie# for the patent to #ra"

attention to the ethical issues involve#. The ethical issues remain unresolve#.

N.ESTI8N> Br. Shen, #o /ou thin& a h/bri# "ill eventuall/ be create#? B . S0EN>I calle# this press conference to en# speculation, not to increase it. But if /ou as& m/ personal opinion, I thin&, /esit "ill eventuall/ be #one. 305KG The memor/ haunte# *ar& San'erthe ima'e burne# in his min# of that poor animal, stran#e# on the beach at ni'ht in 3osta ica, helpless as the @a'uar pounce#, bit off her hea#, an# procee#e# to eat the flesh "hile her le's still &ic&e# feebl/. )n# all "ith the soun# of crunchin' bones. The bones of her hea#. *ar& San'er ha# not expecte# to see an/thin' so horrific. 0e ha# come to the beach at Tortu'uero to "itness the 'iant leatherbac& turtles cra"lin' out of the ocean to la/ their e''s in the san#. )s a biolo'ist, he &ne" this "as a 'reat mi'ration the planet ha# "itnesse# for countless eons. The female turtles "ere en'a'e# in one of the 'reat #emonstrations of maternal carin', cra"lin' hi'h onto the beach, #epositin' their e''s #eep in the 'roun#, coverin' them "ith exhauste# flippers, then carefull/ s"eepin' the san# clean, obliteratin' an/ trace of the e''s beneath. It "as a slo", 'entle ceremon/, #irecte# b/ 'enes that survive# from millennia past. Then came the @a'uar, a blac& strea& in the ni'ht. )n# su##enl/ last summer ever/thin' chan'e# for *ar& San'er. The brutalit/ of the attac&, its spee# an# viciousness, shoc&e# him profoun#l/. It confirme# his suspicion that the natural "orl# ha# 'one ba#l/ "ron'. Ever/thin' that man&in# "as #oin' on the planet ha# upset the #elicate balance of nature. The pollution, the rampant in#ustriali1ation, the loss of habitat"hen animals "ere s=uee1e# an# cornere#, the/ behave# viciousl/, in a #esperate effort to survive. That "as the explanation for the 'hastl/ attac& he ha# "itnesse#. The natural "orl# "as in collapse. 0e mentione# this to the ver/ han#some naturalist amon Val#e1, "ho ha# accompanie# him. Val#e1 shoo& his hea#. $No, Se`or San'er, this is al"a/s the "a/ it has been since m/ father an# 'ran#father, an# 'ran#father before. The/ al"a/s spo&e of the @a'uar attac&s in the ni'ht. It is part of the c/cle of life.% $But there are more attac&s no",% San'er sai#. $Because of all the pollutionC% $No, se`or. There is no chan'e. Ever/ month, the @a'uars ta&e t"o to four turtles. We have recor#s 'oin' bac& man/ /ears.% $The violence "e see here is not normal.% ) short #istance a"a/, the @a'uar "as still eatin' the mother. Bones still crunchin'.

$But itis normal,% amon Val#e1 sai#. $It is the "a/ thin's are.% San'er #i# not "ant to tal& about it an/more. 3learl/, Val#e1 "as an apolo'ist for the in#ustrialists an# polluters, the bi' )merican companies that #ominate# 3osta ica an# other (atin )merican countries. Not surprisin' to fin# such a person here, since the 3I) ha# controlle# 3osta ica for #eca#es. This "asnt a countr/9 it "as a subsi#iar/ of )merican business interests. )n# )merican businesses #i# not 'ive a #amn for the environment. amon Val#e1 sai#, $The @a'uars must eat, too. I thin& better a turtle than to ta&e a human bab/.% That, *ar& San'er thou'ht, "as a matter of opinion.

Bac& at home in Ber&ele/, San'er sat in his loft an# pon#ere# "hat to #o. )lthou'h San'er tol# people he "as a biolo'ist, he ha# no formal trainin' in the fiel#. 0e ha# atten#e# one /ear of colle'e before #roppin' out to "or& briefl/ for a lan#scape architecture firm, 3ather an# 0oll/9 the onl/ biolo'/ he ha# ta&en "as a course in hi'h school. The son of a ban&er, San'er possesse# a substantial trust fun# an# #i# not nee# to "or& to support himself. 0e #i#, ho"ever, nee# a purpose in life. Wealth, in his experience, ma#e the =uest for self,i#entit/ even more #ifficult. )n# the ol#er he 'ot, the har#er it "as to thin& about 'oin' bac& an# finishin' colle'e. ecentl/, he ha# starte# to #efine himself as an artist, an# artists #i# not nee# formal trainin'. In fact, formal e#ucation interfere# "ith the artists abilit/ to feel the 1eit'eist, to ri#e the "aves of chan'e rollin' throu'h societ/, an# to formulate a response to them. San'er "as ver/ "ell informe# in his opinion. 0e rea# the Ber&ele/ papers, an# sometimes ma'a1ines li&e *other +ones, an# several of the environmental ma'a1ines. Not ever/ month, but sometimes. True, he often @ust loo&e# at the pictures, s&immin' the stories. But that "as all that "as necessar/ to trac& the 1eit'eist. )rt "as about feelin'. )bout ho" it felt to live in this materialistic "orl#, "ith its 'au#/ luxuries, false promises, an# profoun# #isappointments. What "as "ron' "ith people to#a/ "as that the/ i'nore# their feelin's. It "as the @ob of art to brin' true feelin's alive. To shoc& people into a"areness. That "as "h/ so man/ /oun' artists "ere usin' 'enetic techni=ues an# livin' material to create art. Wet art, the/ calle# it. Tissue art. *an/ artists no" "or&e# full,time in science labs, an# the art that resulte# "as #istinctl/ scientific. 8ne artist ha# 'ro"n stea&s in a -etri #ish, an# then ate them in public, as a performance. HSuppose#l/ the/ taste# a"ful. )n/"a/, the/ "ere 'eneticall/ mo#ifie#. .'h.I )n artist in :rance ha# ma#e a 'lo"in' bunn/ rabbit b/ insertin' luminescent 'enes from a firefl/ or somethin'. )n# still other artists ha# chan'e# the hair color of animals, 'ivin' them rainbo" hues, an# ha# 'ro"n porcupine =uills on the hea# of a cute pupp/. These "or&s of art provo&e# stron' feelin's. *an/ people "ere #is'uste#. But, then, San'er thou'ht, the/ shoul# be #is'uste#. The/ shoul# feel the same revulsion that he himself ha# felt

"atchin' the slau'hter of a mother turtle b/ a @a'uar on a beach in 3osta ica. That horri# perversion of nature, that repellent sava'er/ that he coul# not put out of his min#. )n# that, of course, "as the reason to ma&e art. Not art for arts sa&e. ather, art to benefit the "orl#, art to help the environment. That "as *ar& San'ers 'oal, an# he set about to attain it. (83)( B83T8 ) ESTEB :8 8 !)N T0E:T

(on' Beach *emorial 0ospital Staffer Implicate#9 Thieves Sol# Bones, Bloo#, 8r'ans ) prominent (on' Beach ph/sician has been arreste# for sellin' or'ans ille'all/ remove# from #ea# bo#ies at (on' Beach *emorial 0ospital. Br. *artin oberts, chief a#ministrator of the patholo'/ laborator/, "hich con#ucts autopsies at the hospital, "as char'e# on EFK counts of ille'all/ harvestin' bo#/ parts from ca#avers, an# sellin' the contraban# to tissue ban&s. Sai# (on' Beach Bistrict )ttorne/ Barbara Bates, $This in#ictment rea#s li&e a B,movie horror stor/.% Bates also alle'e# in her in#ictment that Br. oberts for'e# #eath certificates, falsifie# lab results, an# collu#e# "ith local funeral homes an# cemeteries to conceal his rei'n of error. The case is onl/ the most recent episo#e in a nation"i#e pan#emic of mo#ern,#a/ bo#/snatchin'. 8ther cases inclu#e $Br. *i&e% *astromarino, a millionaire Broo&l/n, N.;., #entist "ho, over a five,/ear perio#, purporte#l/ stole or'ans from thousan#s of ca#avers, inclu#in' bones from the TM,/ear,ol# )lastair 3oo&e9 a :ort (ee, N.+., biome#ical firm that sol# *astromarinos bo#/ parts to tissue ban&s across the .nite# States9 a crematorium in San Bie'o alle'e# to have stolen bo#/ parts from the ca#avers entruste# to it9 another in (a&e Elsinore, 3alifornia, "here bo#/ parts "ere &ept in hu'e free1ers prior to sale9 an# .3() *e#ical 3enter, "here M55 bo#ies "ere cut up an# sol# for LV55,555, some to the firm of +ohnson X +ohnson. $The problem is "orl#"i#e,% sai# B) Bates. $Tissue theft has been reporte# in En'lan#, 3ana#a, )ustralia, ussia, !erman/, an# :rance. We believe such thefts no" occur ever/"here in the "orl#,% Bates a##e#. $-atients are ver/ concerne#.% Br. oberts plea#e# innocent to all char'es in Superior 3ourt an# "as release# on a LE million bon#. )lso in#icte# "ere four other (on' Beach *emorial 0ospital staffers, inclu#in' *arilee 0unter, the hea# of the hospital 'enetics lab. (on' Beach *emorial a#ministrator <evin *c3ormic& expresse# shoc& at the in#ictments, an# sai# that $Br. obertss behavior contravenes ever/thin' that our institution stan#s for.% 0e sai# he ha# or#ere# a thorou'h revie" of hospital proce#ures an# "oul# ma&e the report public "hen it "as complete#. -rosecutors sa/ the events "ere brou'ht to their attention b/ a "histle,blo"er, a1a asha#. *r. asha# is a first,/ear me#ical stu#ent in San :rancisco "ho ha# previousl/ "or&e# in Br. obertss patholo'/ lab, "here he ha# "itnesse# firsthan# numerous ille'al activities there. $*r.

asha#s testimon/ "as vital to buil#in' the prosecutors case,% Bates sai#. 305KT +osh Win&ler hurrie# into the animal facilit/ to see "hat Tom Weller "as tal&in' about. $0o" man/ rats #ie#?% he sai#. $Nine.% The stiff bo#ies of nine #ea# rats l/in' on their si#es in nine successive ca'es ma#e +osh Win&ler start to s"eat. $Well have to #issect them,% he sai#. $When #i# the/ #ie?% $*ust have been #urin' the ni'ht,% Tom sai#. $The/ "ere fe# at six9 no notation of problems then.% Tom "as loo&in' at a clipboar#. $What stu#/ 'roup "ere the/ in?% +osh sai#. :earin' he alrea#/ &ne" the ans"er. $),V,% Tom sai#. $The maturit/ 'ene stu#/.% +esus. +osh trie# to remain calm. $)n# ho" ol# "ere the/?% $.mmmClets see. Thirt/,ei'ht "ee&s an# four #a/s.% 8h !o#. The avera'e life span of a lab rat "as E65 "ee&sa little over three /ears. These rats ha# #ie# in a =uarter of that time. 0e too& a #eep breath. $)n# "hat about the others in the cohort?% $There "ere t"ent/ in the ori'inal stu#/ 'roup,% Tom sai#. $)ll i#entical, all the same a'e. T"o of them #ie# a fe" #a/s a'o, of respirator/ infection. I #i#nt thin& much about it at the time. )s for the othersC"ell, /ou better see for /ourself.% 0e le# +osh #o"n the ro" of ca'es to the other rats. It "as imme#iatel/ clear "hat their con#ition "as. $ a''e# coats, inactive, excessive sleepin', trouble stan#in' on their hin# le's, muscle "astin', hin# le' paral/sis in four of themC% +osh stare#. $The/re ol# ,% he sai#. $The/re all ol#. % $;es,% Tom sai#. $Its unmista&able> premature a'in'. I "ent bac& an# chec&e# the #ea# rats from t"o #a/s a'o. 8ne ha# a pituitar/ a#enoma an# the other ha# spinal cor# #e'eneration.% $Si'ns of a'eC% $ i'ht,% Tom sai#. $Si'ns of a'e. *a/be this 'ene "ont be the "on#er pro#uct ic& is countin'

on after all. Not if it causes earl/ #eath. It# be a #isaster.%

$0o" am I feelin'?%)#am sai#, as the/ sat to'ether at lunch. $I feel fine, +osh, than&s to /ou. Im a little tire# sometimes. )n# m/ s&in is #r/. Im 'ettin' a fe" "rin&les. But I feel o&a/. Wh/?% $+ust "on#ere#,% +osh sai#, as casuall/ as he coul#. 0e trie# not to stare at his ol#er brother. In fact, )#ams appearance ha# chan'e# #ramaticall/. Where he once ha# a touch of 'ra/ at the temples, he no" ha# a full hea# of salt,an#,pepper hair. 0is hairline ha# rece#e#. The s&in aroun# his e/es an# lips "as noticeabl/ "rin&le#. 0is forehea# "as #eepl/ crease#. 0e loo&e# much ol#er. )#am "as thirt/,t"o. +esus. $No, uh, #ru's?% +osh as&e#. $No, no. Thats over, than& !o#,% )#am sai#. 0e ha# or#ere# a hambur'er, but he put it #o"n after a fe" bites. $Boesnt taste 'oo#?% $!ot a sore tooth. I nee# to see the #entist.% )#am touche# his chee&. $I hate complainin'. )ctuall/, I "as thin&in' I# better 'et some exercise. I nee# exercise. Sometimes I 'et constipate#.% $;ou 'oin' to @oin /our ol# b,ball 'roup?% +osh sai# bri'htl/. 0is brother use# to pla/ bas&etball t"ice a "ee& "ith the investment ban&ers. $.h, no,% )#am sai#. $I "as thin&in' #oubles tennis, or ma/be 'olf.% $!oo# i#ea,% +osh sai#. ) silence fell over the table. )#am pushe# his plate asi#e. $I &no" I loo& ol#er,% he sai#. $;ou #ont nee# to preten# /ou havent notice#. Ever/bo#/s notice# it. I as&e# *om, an# she sai# that Ba# "as the same "a/9 he @ust su##enl/ loo&e# ol#er in his thirties. )lmost overni'ht. So ma/be its 'enetic.% $;eah, coul# be.% $Wh/?% )#am sai#. $Bo /ou &no" somethin'?% $*e? No.%

$;ou @ust su##enl/ "ante# to have lunch, ur'entl/, to#a/? 3oul#nt "ait?% $I ha#nt seen /ou in a "hile, thats all.% $3ut the crap, +osh,% he sai#. $;ou "ere al"a/s a shitt/ liar.% +osh si'he#. $)#am,% he sai#, $I thin& "e shoul# #o some tests.% $:or "hat?% $Bone #ensit/, lun' capacit/. )n# an * I.% $:or "hat? What are these tests for?% 0e stare# at +osh. $:or a'in'?% $;es.% $Im a'in' too fast? Is it that 'ene spra/?% $We nee# to fin# out,% +osh sai#. $I "ant to call Ernie.% Ernie (a"rence "as the famil/ ph/sician. $8&a/, set it up.% 305F5 Spea&in' in Washin'ton at a noon briefin' for con'ressmen, -rofessor William !arfiel# of the .niversit/ of *innesota sai#, $Bespite "hat /ou hear, nobo#/ has ever proven a sin'le 'ene causes a sin'le human behavioral trait. Some of m/ collea'ues believe such associations ma/ eventuall/ be foun#. 8thers #ont thin& it "ill ever happen, that the interaction of 'enes an# environment is @ust too complex. But, in an/ case, "e see reports of ne" A'enes for this or that in the papers ever/ #a/, an# none of them has ever proven true in the en#.% $What are /ou tal&in' about?% sai# the ai#e to Senator Wilson. $What about the 'a/ 'ene, that causes 'a/ness?% $) statistical association. Not causal. No 'ene causes sexual orientation.% $What about the violence 'ene?% $Not verifie# in later research.% $) sleep 'ene "as reporte#C% $In rats.%

$The 'ene for alcoholism?% $Bi#nt hol# up.% $What about the #iabetes 'ene?% $So far,% he sai#, $"eve i#entifie# ninet/,six 'enes involve# in #iabetes. Well un#oubte#l/ fin# more.% There "as a stunne# silence. :inall/, one ai#e sai#, $If no 'ene has been sho"n to cause behavior, "hat is all the fuss about?% -rofessor !arfiel# shru''e#. $3all it an urban le'en#. 3all it a me#ia m/th. Blame public e#ucation in science. Because the public certainl/ believes that 'enes cause behavior. It seems to ma&e sense. In realit/, even hair color an# hei'ht are not simple traits fixe# b/ 'enes. )n# con#itions li&e alcoholism certainl/ arent.% $Wait a minute. 0ei'ht isnt 'enetic?% $:or in#ivi#uals, /es. If /oure taller than /our frien#, its probabl/ because /our parents are taller. But for populations, hei'ht is a function of environment. In the last fift/ /ears, Europeans have 'ro"n an inch ever/ #eca#e. So have the +apanese. Thats too fast for a 'enetic chan'e. Its entirel/ an effect of environmentbetter prenatal care, nutrition, health care, an# so on. )mericans, b/ the "a/, havent 'ro"n at all in this perio#. The/ve shrun& sli'htl/, possibl/ because of poor prenatal care an# @un& foo# #iets. The point is that the actual relationship of 'enes an# environment is ver/ complicate#. Scientists #ont /et have a 'oo# un#erstan#in' of ho" 'enes "or&. In fact, theres no 'eneral a'reement about "hat a 'eneis. % $Sa/ that a'ain?% $)mon' scientists,% !arfiel# sai#, $there is no sin'le a'ree#,upon #efinition of "hat a 'ene is. There are four or five #ifferent #efinitions.% $I thou'ht a 'ene "as a section of the 'enome,% someone sai#. $) se=uence of base pairs, )T!3, that co#es for a protein.% $Thats one #efinition,% !arfiel# sai#. $But its ina#e=uate. Because a sin'le )T!3 se=uence can co#e for multiple proteins. Some sections of co#e are basicall/ s"itches that turn other sections on an# off. Some sections lie silent unless activate# b/ specific environmental stimuli. Some sections are active onl/ #urin' a perio# of #evelopment, an# never a'ain. 8thers turn on an# off constantl/ throu'hout an in#ivi#uals life. )s I sai#, its complicate#.% ) han# "ent up. )n ai#e for Senator *oone/, "ho receive# substantial contributions from #ru' companies, ha# a =uestion. $-rofessor, I 'ather /ours is a minorit/ opinion. *ost scientists "oul#nt a'ree "ith /our vie" of the 'ene.%

$)ctuall/, most scientists #o a'ree,% !arfiel# sai#. $)n# "ith 'oo# reason.%

When the human 'enome "as #eco#e#, scientists "ere startle# to fin# that it containe# onl/ about thirt/,five thousan# 'enes. The/ ha# expecte# far more. )fter all, a lo"l/ earth"orm ha# t"ent/ thousan# 'enes. That meant that the #ifference bet"een a human bein' an# a "orm mi'ht be onl/ fifteen thousan# 'enes. 0o", then, coul# /ou explain the hu'e #ifference in complexit/ bet"een the t"o? That problem vanishe# as scientists be'an to stu#/ the interactions amon' 'enes. :or example, one 'ene mi'ht ma&e a protein, an# another 'ene coul# ma&e an en1/me that snippe# out part of the protein an# thus chan'e# it. Some 'enes containe# multiple co#in' se=uences separate# b/ re'ions of meanin'less co#e. That 'ene coul# use an/ of its multiple se=uences to ma&e a protein. Some 'enes "ere activate# onl/ if several other 'enes "ere activate# first, or "hen a number of environmental chan'es occurre#. This meant that 'enes "ere far more responsive to the environment, both insi#e an# outsi#e the human bein', than an/one ha# anticipate#. )n# the fact of multiple 'ene interactions meant there "ere billions of possible outcomes. $Its not surprisin',% !arfiel# sai#, $that researchers are movin' to"ar# "hat "e call Aepi'enetic stu#ies, "hich loo& at exactl/ ho" 'enes interact "ith the environment to pro#uce the in#ivi#ual "e see. This is an extremel/ active area.% 0e starte# to explain the intricacies. 8ne b/ one, the con'ressional ai#es finishe# eatin' an# left. 8nl/ a han#ful remaine#, an# the/ "ere chec&in' messa'es on their cell phones. Nean#erthals Were the :irst Blon#es Stron'er, Bi''er,Braine#, Smarter Than .s !enetic mutations for hair color in#icate that the first blon#es "ere Nean#erthals, not 0omo sapiens. The blon#e 'ene emer'e# sometime in the Warm 'laciation, perhaps in response to the relative lac& of sunli'ht in the ice a'e. The 'ene sprea# amon' Nean#erthals, "ho "ere mostl/ blon#e, researchers sa/. $Nean#erthals ha# brains one,fifth lar'er than ours. The/ "ere taller than "e "ere, an# stron'er. The/ "ere un#oubte#l/ smarter, too,% sa/s *arco Svabo, of the 0elsin&i !enetics Institute. $In fact, there is little #oubt that mo#ern man is a #omesticate# version of the Nean#erthal, as the mo#ern #o' is a #omesticate# version of the stron'er an# more intelli'ent "olf. *o#ern man is a #e'ra#e#, inferior creature. Nean#erthals "ere intellectuall/ superior, an# better loo&in'. With blon#e hair, hi'h chee&bones, an# stron' features, the/ "oul# have appeare# as a race of supermo#els. $0omo sapienss&innier an# u'lier than Nean#erthals"oul# naturall/ have been attracte# to the beaut/, stren'th, an# intelli'ence of blon#es. )pparentl/ a fe" Nean#erthal "omen too& pit/ on the pun/ 3ro,*a'nons an# bre# "ith them. Its a 'oo# thin' for us. We are luc&/ that "e

carr/ blon#e Nean#erthal 'enes to prevent our species from becomin' hopelessl/ stupi#. )lthou'h, "e #emonstrate plent/ of stupi#it/ an/"a/.% 0e sai# that preten#in' blon#es "ere stupi# "as $a #ar&,haire# pre@u#ice #esi'ne# to #eflect attention from the real problem of the "orl#, "hich is #ar&,haire# shortcomin's.% 0e a##e#, $*a&e a list of the stupi#est people in histor/. ;ou "ill fin# the/ are all #ar&,haire#.% Br. Evar# Nilsson, a spo&esperson for the *arbur' Institute in !erman/, "hich has been se=uencin' the entire Nean#erthal 'enome, sai# the blon#e theor/ "as interestin'. Nilsson sai#, $*/ "ife is a blon#e, an# I al"a/s #o "hat she tells me to #o, an# our chil#ren are blon#e, an# =uite intelli'ent. So I a'ree there is somethin' to this theor/.% 305FE Baves firstfe" #a/s in the <en#all househol# "ent surprisin'l/ "ell. When he "ent outsi#e, he "ore a baseball cap, "hich helpe# his appearance a lot. With his hair trimme#, "earin' @eans an# snea&ers an# a Nuic&silver shirt, he loo&e# much li&e an/ other &i#. )n# he learne# =uic&l/. 0e ha# 'oo# coor#ination, an# "ritin' his name prove# eas/ un#er (/nns instruction. ea#in' "as har#er for him. Bave #i# "ell at "ee&en# sports, thou'h sometimes it "as #isconcertin'. )t a (ittle (ea'ue 'ame, a hi'h pop fl/ fle" off the fiel# to"ar# the t"o,stor/ school buil#in'9 Bave ran over, scale# the "all, an# cau'ht the ball at the secon#,stor/ "in#o". The &i#s vie"e# this accomplishment "ith a mixture of a#miration an# resentment. It "asnt fair, an# the/ ha# "ante# to see the "in#o" shatter. 8n the other han#, ever/bo#/ "ante# Bave on their team. So (/nn "as surprise# "hen, one Satur#a/ afternoon, Bave came home earl/. 0e loo&e# sa#. $What is it?% she sai#. $I #ont fit.% $Ever/bo#/ feels that "a/, sometimes,% she sai#. 0e shoo& his hea#. $The/ loo& at me.% She pause#. $;oure not the same as the other &i#s.% $;es.% $Bo the/ ma&e fun of /ou?% 0e no##e#. $Sometimes.% $What #o the/ #o?% $Thro" thin's. 3all me names.%

$What names?% 0e bit his broa# lip. $*on&e/bo/.% 0e "as on the ver'e of tears. $That feels ba#,% she sai#. $Im sorr/.% She too& his baseball cap off an# be'an to stro&e his hea#, the bac& of his nec&. $<i#s can be mean.% $Sometimes m/ feelin's hurt,% he sai#. Sa#, he turne# his bac& to her. 0e pulle# his shirt off. She ran her fin'ers throu'h his hair, loo&in' for bruises an# other si'ns of in@ur/. )s she #i# so, she felt him relax. 0is breathin' slo"e#. 0is moo# seeme# to improve. 8nl/ later #i# she reali1e she "as 'roomin' him, li&e mon&e/s in the "il#. 8ne turne# its bac& to the other, "hile the other pic&e# throu'h the fur. She #eci#e# she "oul# #o it ever/ #a/. +ust to ma&e Bave more comfortable.

Since Baves arrival,ever/thin' in (/nns life ha# chan'e#. )lthou'h Bave "as clearl/ 0enr/s responsibilit/, the chimp sho"e# little interest in him. 0e "as imme#iatel/ #ra"n to her, an# somethin' about his manner, or his appearancethe soulful e/es? the chil#ish #emeanor? tu''e# at her heart. She# starte# rea#in' about chimps, an# learne# that because chimpan1ee females too& multiple sexual partners, the/ #i# not &no" "hich male fathere# their infant, an# thus chimpan1ees sho"e# no notion of fatherhoo# or fathers. 3himps ha# onl/ mothers. Bave seeme# to have been an abuse# chil#, uncare# for b/ his actual chimp mother. 0e loo&e# to (/nn "ith open lon'in', an# she respon#e#. It "as all #eepl/ emotional, an# entirel/ unexpecte#. $*om, hes not /our &i#,% Trac/ ha# snappe#. Trac/ "as at the a'e "hen she crave# her parents attention. She "as @ealous of an/ #is traction. $I &no", Trace,% (/nn sai#. $But he nee#s me.% $*om7 0es not /our responsibilit/7% She thre" up her han#s in a theatrical 'esture. $I &no".% $Well, can /ou leave him alone?% $Is he 'ettin' too much attention?% $Well, #uh7 ;es.% $Im sorr/, I #i#nt reali1e.% She put her arm aroun# her #au'hter, 'ave her a hu'.

$Bont treat me li&e a mon&e/,% Trac/ sai#, an# pushe# her a"a/. But the/ "ere, after all, primates. 0uman bein's "ere apes. 0er experience "ith Bave "as 'ivin' (/nn an uncomfortable a"areness of "hat humans share# "ith other apes> !roomin', touchin', ph/sical attention as a source of relaxation. E/es lo"ere# un#er threat, or #ispleasure, or as a si'n of submission. HTrac/ aroun# her bo/ frien#s, flirtin' "ith #o"ncast e/es.I Birect e/e contact meant intimi#ation, a si'n of an'er. !oose bumps for fear an# an'erthose same s&in muscles ma#e a primates hair fluff up, to create a bi''er appearance in the presence of threat. Sleepin' communall/, curlin' up in a &in# of nestC 8n an# on. )pes. The/ "ere all apes.

*ore an# more,the bi''est #ifference seeme# to be hair. Bave "as hair/9 those aroun# him "erent. )ccor#in' to her rea#in', the loss of hair ha# occurre# after human bein's separate# from chimps. The usual explanation "as that human bein's ha# become for a time s"amp creatures, or "ater creatures. Because most mammals "ere hair/their coats of fur "ere necessar/ to help maintain their internal temperature. But "ater mammals, such as #olphins an# "hales, ha# lost their hair in or#er to be streamline#. )n# people, too, ha# lost their hair. But for (/nn the stran'est thin' "as the persistent sense that Bave "as both human an# not human. She #i#nt =uite &no" ho" to #eal "ith that feelin'. )n# as the #a/s passe#, it #i# not 'et an/ easier. 3)N)V)N !ENE (ITI!)TI8N ENBS ET0I3S 8: !ENE -)TENTIN! BIS-.TEB 3anavan #isease is an inherite# 'enetic #isor#er that is fatal to chil#ren in the first /ears of life. In ETGV Ban !reenber' an# his "ife learne# their nine,month,ol# son ha# the #isease. Since no 'enetic test "as available, the !reenber's ha# another chil#, a #au'hter, "ho also "as #ia'nose# "ith the #isease. The !reenber's "ante# to ma&e sure other families "ere spare# this heartbrea&, an# so the/ convince# euben *atalon, a 'eneticist, to "or& on a prenatal test for 3anavan #isease. The !reenber's #onate# their o"n tissues, the tissues of their #ea# chil#ren, an# the/ "or&e# to obtain tissues from other families "ith 3anavan #isease aroun# the "orl#. :inall/ in ETTK the 'ene for 3anavan #isease "as #iscovere#. ) free prenatal test "as at last ma#e available for families "orl#"i#e. .n&no"n to the !reenber's, Br. *atalon patente# the 'ene, an# then #eman#e# hi'h fees for further tests. *an/ families that ha# contribute# tissues an# mone/ to help #iscover the 'ene no" coul# not affor# the test. In 455K the !reenber's an# other concerne# parties sue# *atalon

an# *iami 3hil#rens 0ospital, claimin' breach of informe# consent, un@ust enrichment, frau#ulent con cealment, an# misappropriation of tra#e secrets. The suit "as settle# out of court. )s a result, the test is more "i#el/ available, althou'h fees must still be pai# to *iami 3hil#rens 0ospital. The ethics of the behavior of ph/sicians an# institutions involve# in this case are still hotl/ #ebate#. -s/cholo'/ Ne"s )B.(TS B8NT ! 8W .- )N;*8 E British esearcher Blames :ormal E#ucation -rofessors, Scientists $Stri&in'l/ Immature% If /ou believe the a#ults aroun# /ou are actin' li&e chil#ren, /oure probabl/ ri'ht. In technical terms, it is calle# $ps/cholo'ical neoten/,% the persistence of chil#hoo# behavior into a#ulthoo#. )n# its on the rise. )ccor#in' to Br. Bruce 3harlton, evolutionar/ ps/chiatrist at Ne"castle upon T/ne, human bein's no" ta&e lon'er to reach mental maturit/an# man/ never #o so at all. 3harlton believes this is an acci#ental b/,pro#uct of formal e#ucation that lasts "ell into the t"enties. $:ormal e#ucation re=uires a chil#,li&e stance of receptivit/,% "hich $counteracts the attainment of ps/cholo'ical maturit/% that "oul# normall/ occur in the late teens or earl/ t"enties. 0e notes that $aca#emics, teachers, scientists an# man/ other professionals are often stri&in'l/ immature.% 0e calls them $unpre#ictable, unbalance# in priorities, an# ten#in' to overreact.% Earlier human societies, such as hunter,'atherers, "ere more stable an# thus a#ulthoo# "as attaine# in the teen /ears. No", ho"ever, "ith rapi# social chan'e an# less reliance on ph/sical stren'th, maturit/ is more often postpone#. 0e notes that mar&ers of maturit/ such as 'ra#uation from colle'e, marria'e, an# first chil# formerl/ occurre# at fixe# a'es, but no" ma/ happen over a span of #eca#es. Thus, he sa/s, $in an important ps/cholo'ical sense, some mo#ern people never actuall/ become a#ults.% 3harlton thin&s this ma/ be a#aptive. $) chil#,li&e flexibilit/ of attitu#es, behaviors an# &no"le#'e% ma/ be useful in navi'atin' the increase# instabilit/ of the mo#ern "orl#, he sa/s, "here people are more li&el/ to chan'e @obs, learn ne" s&ills, move to ne" places. But this comes at the cost of $short attention span, frenetic novelt/,see&in', ever shorter c/cles of arbitrar/ fashion, an#Ca pervasive emotional an# spiritual shallo"ness.% 0e a##e# that mo#ern people $lac& a profun#it/ of character "hich seeme# commoner in the past.% 305F4

Ellis,% *rs. (evine sai#,$"hat is that tube?% 0er son "as hol#in' a silver canister "ith a little plastic cup at the tip. The/ "ere in the livin' room of his parents house in Scars#ale. 8utsi#e, "or&men "ere hammerin' on the 'ara'e. *a&in' repairs> 'ettin' the house rea#/ to sell. $Whats in the tube?% she sai# a'ain. $Its a ne" 'enetic treatment, *om.% $I #ont nee# it.% $It re@uvenates /our s&in. *a&es it /oun'.% $Thats not "hat /ou tol# /our father,% she sai#. $;ou tol# /our father that it "oul# improve his sex life.% $WellC% $0e put /ou up to this, #i#nt he?% $No, *om.% $(isten to me,% she sai#. $I #ont "ant to improve m/ sex life. I have never been happier than I am ri'ht no".% $The t"o of /ou sleep in separate rooms.% $Because he snores.% $*om, this spra/ "ill help /ou.% $I #ont "ant an/ help.% $It "ill ma&e /ou happier, I promiseC% $;ou never #i# listen, even as a chil#.% $No", *omC% $)n# /ou never 'ot an/ better, /our "hole a#ult life.% $*om, pleaseC% Ellis "as startin' to 'et an'r/. 0e "asnt suppose# to be the one #oin' this to her, an/"a/. 0is brother )aron "as suppose# to #o it. )aron "as his mothers favorite. But )aron ha# a court #ate, he# sai#. So Ellis "as stuc& "ith it.

0e move# to"ar# her "ith the canister. $!et a"a/ from me, Ellis.% 0e continue# to approach. $I am/our mother, Ellis.% She stampe# on his toe. 0e ho"le# in pain, an# in the next moment 'rabbe# her b/ the bac& of the hea#, pushe# the canister over her nose, an# s=uee1e#. She "rithe# an# t"iste#. $I "ill not7 I "ill not7% But she "as breathin' it in. Even as she proteste#. $No, no,no7 % 0e hel# it there for a "hile. It "as as if he "ere stran'lin' her, the same sort of 'rip, the same sensation, as she stru''le# in his arms. It ma#e him incre#ibl/ uncomfortable. The flesh of her chee&s a'ainst his fin'ers as she t"iste# an# proteste#. 0e smelle# the po"#er of her ma&eup. :inall/ Ellis steppe# a"a/ from her. $0o" #are /ou7% she sai#. $0o"#are /ou7% She hurrie# from the room, s"earin'. Ellis leane# a'ainst the "all. 0e felt #i11/, to have ph/sicall/ accoste# his mother li&e that. But it ha# to be #one, he tol# himself.It ha# to be #one. 305FK Thin's "ere not'oin' "ell, ic& Biehl thou'ht, as he "ipe# purDe# 'reen peas off his face an# pause# to clean his 'lasses. It "as five in the afternoon. The &itchen "as hot. 0is three &i#s "ere sittin' at the &itchen table screamin' an# hittin' one another. The/ "ere thro"in' hot #o' relish an# mustar#. The mustar# staine# ever/thin'. The bab/, in the hi'h chair, refuse# to eat an# spat her foo# ri'ht bac& out. 3onchita shoul# have been fee#in' her, but 3onchita ha# vanishe# that afternoon. She ha# become increasin'l/ unreliable ever since ic&s "ife left. Broa#s stic& to'ether. -robabl/ he "oul# have to replace 3onchita, "hich "as a bi' pain in the nec&, to hire somebo#/ ne", an# of course she "oul# sue him. *a/be he coul# ne'otiate a settlement "ith her before she "ent to court. $;ou "ant it? Ta&e it7% +ason, his ol#est, mashe# the hot #o' "ith the bun into Sams face. Sam ho"le# an# acte# li&e he "as cho&in'. No" the/ "ere rollin' on the floor. $Ba#7 Ba#7 Stop him7 0es cho&in' me.%

$+ason, #ont cho&e /our brother.% +ason pai# no attention. ic& 'rabbe# him b/ the collar an# pulle# him off Sam. $I sai#, #ont cho&e him.% $I "asnt. 0e as&e# for it.% $;ou "ant to lose TV toni'ht? No? Then eat /our o"n hot #o' an# let /our brother eat his.% ic& pic&e# up the spoon to fee# the bab/, but she close# her mouth stubbornl/, starin' at him "ith bea#/ little hostile e/es. 0e si'he#. What "as it that ma#e &i#s in hi'h chairs refuse to eat, an# thro" all their to/s on the floor? *a/be it "asnt such a 'oo# i#ea for his "ife to have 'one a"a/, he thou'ht. )s for the office, the situation "as even "orse. 0is ex2securit/ 'u/ ha# been humpin' (isa, an# no" that he "as out of @ail, he "as un#oubte#l/ humpin' her a'ain. That 'irl ha# 1ero taste. If Bra# "as convicte# of pe#ophilia, that "oul# be ba# publicit/ for the compan/, but even so, ic& hope# for it. +osh Win&lers "on#er #ru' "as apparentl/ &illin' people. +osh ha# 'one "a/ out on a limb, #oin' his o"n unauthori1e# human testin', but if he "ere sent to @ail, that "oul# reflect ba#l/ on the compan/, too. 0e "as po&in' at his #au'hter "ith the spoon "hen the phone ran'. )n# thin's became much, much "orse.

$Son of a bitch7% ic& Biehl turne# a"a/ from the ban&s of securit/ screens. $I cant believe it,% he sai#. 8n the screens, the hate# Bra# !or#on "as s"ipin' open #oors to the labs, touchin' -etri #ishes ever/"here, an# movin' on. Bra# ha# been recor#e# as he "ent metho#icall/ throu'h all the labs in the buil#in'. ic& bunche# his fists. $0e came into the buil#in' at one in the mornin',% the securit/ temp sai#. $0e must have ha# an a#min car# "e #i#nt &no" about, because his "as #isable#. 0e "ent to all the stora'e points, an# he contaminate# ever/ sin'le culture in the Burnet cell line.% ic& Biehl sai#, $0es an asshole, but theres no problem. We have off,site bio,stora'e in San +ose, (on#on, an# Sin'apore.% $)ctuall/, those samples "ere remove# /ester#a/,% the securit/ temp sai#. $Someone pic&e# up the cell lines an# left. The/ ha# proper authori1ation. Secure e,transmission of co#es.% $Who authori1e# it?% $;ou #i#. It came from /our secure account.%

$8h 3hrist.% 0e spun. $0o" #i#that happen?% $Were "or&in' on it.% $But the cell line,% ic& sai#, $"e have other sites% $.nfortunatel/, it seemsC% $Well, then "e have customers "ho have lease#% $Im afrai# "e #ont.% $What are /ou sa/in'?% ic& sai#. 0e "as startin' to scream. $)re /ou sa/in' ever/ fuc&in' Burnet culture is 'one? In the entire fuc&in' "orl#? !one?% $)s far as "e &no". ;es.% $This is a 'o##amn#isaster. % $Evi#entl/.% $This coul# be the en# of m/ compan/7 That "as our safet/ net, those cells. We pai# a fortune to .3() for them. ;oure sa/in' the/re 'one?% ic& fro"ne# an'ril/, as the realit/ hit him. $This is an or'ani1e#, coor#inate# attac& on m/ compan/. The/ ha# people in (on#on an# Sin'apore9 the/ ha# ever/thin' arran'e#.% $;es. We believe so.% $To #estro/ m/ compan/.% $-ossibl/.% $I nee# to 'et those cell lines bac&. No".% $No one has them. Except, of course, :ran& Burnet.% $Then lets 'et Burnet.% $.nfortunatel/, *r. Burnet seems to have vanishe#, too. We cant seem to locate him.% $!reat,% ic& sai#. $+ust 'reat.% 0e turne# an# /elle# to his assistant, $!et the fuc&in' la"/ers, 'et fuc&in' .3() here, an# 'et ever/bo#/ here b/ ei'ht ocloc& toni'ht7% $I #ont &no" if%

$Bo it7% 305FF !ail Bon#fell into a routine. She "oul# spen# the ni'ht "ith ;oshi, then come home at six in the mornin' to "a&e up Evan, 'ive him brea&fast, an# see him off to school. 8ne mornin', as soon as she unloc&e# the #oor, she sa" that !erar# "as 'one. 0is ca'e stoo# uncovere# in the hall"a/, his perch unoccupie#. !ail s"ore. She "ent into the be#room, "here ichar# "as still sleepin'. She shoo& him a"a&e. $ ichar#. Wheres !erar#?% 0e /a"ne#. $What?% $!erar#. Wheres !erar#?% $Im afrai# theres been an acci#ent.% $What acci#ent? What have /ou #one?% $The ca'e "as bein' cleane# in the &itchen, an# the "in#o" "as open. 0e fle" out.% $0e #i# not. 0is "in's "ere clippe#.% $I &no" that,% ichar# sai#, /a"nin' a'ain. $0e #i# not fl/ out.% $)ll I can tell /ou is that I hear# Na#e1h#a shrie&, an# "hen I came to the &itchen, she "as pointin' out the "in#o", an# "hen I loo&e#, the bir# "as flutterin' a"&"ar#l/ to the 'roun#. 8f course I ran #o"nstairs to the street at once, but he "as 'one.% The bastar# "as tr/in' not to smile. $ ichar#, this is ver/ serious. That is a trans'enic animal. If he escapes he ma/ transmit his 'enes to other parrots.% $I am tellin' /ou, it "as an acci#ent.% $Where is Na#e1h#a?% $She comes in at noon no". I thou'ht I "oul# cut bac&.% $Boes she have a cell?% $;ou hire# her, pet.%

$Bont call me pet. I #ont &no" "hat /ou have #one "ith that 're/, but this is extremel/ serious, ichar#.% 0e shru''e#. $I #ont &no" "hat to tell /ou.%

8f course it ruine#all her plans. The/ ha# inten#e# to publish online the follo"in' month, an# inevitabl/ there "oul# be cries from aroun# the "orl# that their claim "as untrue. Scientists "oul# call it the 3lever 0ans effect, mere mimicr/, !o# &no"s "hat else. Ever/one "oul# #eman# to see the bir#. )n# no" the bir# "as 'one. $I coul# &ill ichar#,% she sai# to *aurice, the hea# of the lab. $)n# I "ill hire the bestavocat for /our #efense,% he sai#, not smilin'. $Bo /ou thin& he &no"s "here the bir# is?% $-robabl/. But hell never tell me. 0e hate# !erar#.% $;oure havin' a custo#/ fi'ht over a bir#.% $Ill tal& to Na#e1h#a. But he has probabl/ pai# her off.% $Bi# the bir# &no" /our name? The name of the lab? -hone numbers?% $No, but he memori1e# the tones for m/ cellular phone. 0e use# to ma&e them as a se=uence of soun#s.% $Then perhaps he "ill call us, one #a/.% !ail si'he#. $-erhaps.% 305FM )lex Burnet"as in the mi##le of the most #ifficult trial of her career, a rape case involvin' the sexual assault of a t"o,/ear,ol# bo/ in *alibu. The #efen#ant, thirt/,/ear,ol# *ic& 3ro"le/, "as a Washin'ton,base# political columnist "ho "as visitin' his sister,in,la" "hen he experience# an over"helmin' ur'e to have anal sex "ith her /oun' son, still in #iapers. 3ro"le/ "as a "ealth/, spoile# ;ale 'ra#uate an# heir to a pharmaceutical fortune. 0e hire# notorious B.3. attorne/ )be H$It )int There%I !an1ler to #efen# him. It turne# out that 3ro"le/s taste in love ob@ects "as "ell &no"n in Washin'ton, but !an1ler as "as his customtrie# the case vi'orousl/ in the press months before the trial, repeate#l/ characteri1in' )lex an# the chil#s mother as $fantasi1in' feminist fun#amentalists% "ho ha# ma#e up the "hole thin' from $their sic&, t"iste# ima'inations.% This, #espite a "ell,

#ocumente# hospital examination of the chil#. H3ro"le/s penis "as small, but he ha# still cause# si'nificant tears to the to##lers rectum.I It "as in the mi#st of frantic preparation for the thir# #a/ of the trial that )m/, )lexs assistant, bu11e# her to sa/ that her father "as on the phone. )lex pic&e# up. $-rett/ bus/, Ba#.% $I "ont ta&e lon'. Im 'oin' a"a/ for a couple of "ee&s.% $8&a/, fine.% 8ne of the other la"/ers came in an# #roppe# the latest ne"spapers on her #es&. TheStar "as runnin' photo'raphs of the rape# chil#, the hospital in *alibu, an# unflatterin' pictures of )lex an# the &i#s mother, s=uintin' in har# sunli'ht. $Where are /ou 'oin', Ba#?% $Bont &no" /et,% her father sai#, $but I nee# some time alone. 3ell phone probabl/ "ont "or&. Ill sen# /ou a note "hen I 'et there. )n# a box of some stuff. In case /ou nee# it.% $8&a/, Ba#, have fun.% She thumbe# throu'h the(.). Times as she tal&e# to him. :or /ears theTimes ha# fou'ht for the ri'ht to access an# print all court #ocuments, ho"ever preliminar/, private, or speculative. 3alifornia @u#'es "ere extremel/ reluctant to seal even those #ocuments that involve# the home a##resses of "omen bein' stal&e# or the anatomical #etails of chil#ren "ho ha# been rape#. TheTimes polic/ of publishin' ever/thin' also meant that attorne/s coul# put 'ross an# unfoun#e# alle'ations in their pretrial filin's, &no"in' theTimes "oul# print them. )n# it invariabl/ #i#. The publics ri'ht to &no". ;es, the public reall/ nee#e# to &no" exactl/ ho" lon' the tear "as in the poor little bo/s $;ou hol#in' up all ri'ht?% her father sai#. $;eah, Ba#, Im o&a/.% $The/re not 'ettin' to /ou?% $No. Im "aitin' for help from the chil# "elfare or'ani1ations, but the/re not issuin' an/ statements. Stran'el/ silent.% $Im sure /oure shoc&e# b/ that,% he sai#. $The "easel is politicall/ connecte#, ri'ht? (ittle #ic&hea#. !otta 'o, (exie.% $B/e, Ba#.% She turne# a"a/. The BN) matches "ere #ue to#a/, but the/ ha#nt arrive# /et. The samples obtaine# ha# been small, an# she "as "orrie# about "hat the/ "oul# sho". 305F6 The li'hts#imme# smoothl/ in the plush presentation room at Selat, )nne/, <oss (t#., the preeminent (on#on a#vertisin' a'enc/. 8n the screen, an ima'e of an )merican strip mall, blurre# traffic rushin' past a "retche# cluster of si'ns. !avin <oss &ne" from experience this

ima'e "as an imme#iate rapport,buil#er. )n/thin' critical of )merica "as surefire. $)merican businesses spen# more on a#vertisin' than an/ other countr/ in the "orl#,% <oss sai#. $8f course, the/ must #o, 'iven the =ualit/ of )merican pro#uctsC% Snic&ers floate# throu'h the #ar&ness. $)n# the intelli'ence of the )merican au#ienceC% *il#, mute# lau'hter. $)s one of our columnists recentl/ note#, the 'reat ma@orit/ of )mericans coul#nt fin# their o"n behin#s "ith both han#s.% 8pen lau'hter. The/ "ere "armin' to him. $) cru#e, cultureless people, slappin' each other on the bac& as the/ #rift ever #eeper into #ebt.% That shoul# suffice, he thou'ht. 0e chan'e# his tone> $But "hat I "ish to #ra" to /our attention is the sheer volume of commercial messa'es, as /ou see them here, arran'e# in space alon' the motor"a/. )n# ever/ vehicle #rivin' past has its ra#io on, sen#in' out even more commercial messa'es. In point of fact, its estimate# that )mericans listen to three thousan# messa'es ever/ #a/or "hat is more probable, the/ #ont listen to them. -s/cholo'ists have #etermine# that the sheer volume of messa'es creates a &in# of anesthesia, "hich becomes in'raine# over time. In a saturate# me#ia environment, all messa'es lose impact.% The ima'e chan'e# to Times S=uare at ni'ht, then Shin@u&u, in To&/o, then -icca#ill/, in (on#on. $The saturation to#a/ is 'lobal. 0u'e messa'es, inclu#in' lar'e,screen vi#eo, appear in public s=uares, alon' motor"a/s, in tube stations, train #epots. We place vi#eos at point,of,sale in retail stores. In toilets. In "aitin' rooms, pubs, an# restaurants. In airport loun'es an# aboar# aircraft. $:urthermore, "e have con=uere# personal space. (o'os, bran#s, an# slo'ans appear on or#inar/ ob@ects from &nives to table"are to computers. The/ appear on all our possessions. 3onsumers "ear lo'os on their clothin', han#ba's, shoes, @e"elr/. In#ee#, it is rare for a person to appear in public "ithout them. Thirt/ /ears a'o, if an/one pre#icte# that the entire 'lobal public "oul# turn themselves into san#"ich boar#s, "al&in' about a#vertisin' pro#ucts, the i#ea "oul# have seeme# fantastical. ;et it has happene#. $The result is an ima'istic 'lut, sensor/ exhaustion, an# a #iminution of impact. What can "e #o no"? 0o" can "e move for"ar# in the ne" era of technolo'/? The ans"er ma/ be heretical, but it isthis. % The screen chan'e# #ramaticall/, to a forest ima'e. 0u'e trees risin' to"ar# the s&/, sha#e beneath. Then a sno"/ mountain pea&. ) tropical islan#, an arc of san#, cr/stalline "ater, palm trees. )n#, finall/, an un#er"ater reef, "ith fish s"immin' amon' coral hea#s an# spon'es.

$The natural "orl#,% <oss intone#, $is entirel/ "ithout a#vertisin'. The natural "orl# has /et to be tame#. 3oloni1e# b/ commerce. It remains vir'in.% :rom the #ar&ness> $Isnt that rather the point?% $3onventional "is#om "oul# put it so. ;es. But conventional "is#om is invariabl/ out of #ate. Because in the time it has ta&en to become conventionalto become "hat ever/one believes the "orl# has move# on. 3onventional "is#om is a remnant of the past. )n# so it is in this case.% 8n the screen, the reef scene "as su##enl/ bran#e#. 3oral branches ha# letterin' that rea#B3(E)N . ) school of small fish "ri''le# b/, each "in&in'V8B):8NE, V8B):8NE . ) slitherin' shar& "ith3)BB. ; curvin' across the snout. ) puffer fish "ith((8;BS TSB ! 8.- in blac& letterin' s"am over convolute# hea#s of brain coral, "ithS38TTIS0 -8WE printe# alon' the ri#'es in oran'e. )n#, finall/, a mora/ eel po&e# its hea# out of a hole. Its 'reenish s&in pattern sai#*) <S X S-EN3E . $Thin& of the possibilities,% <oss sai#.

The au#ience "as stunne#as he ha# expecte# it "oul# be. 0e presse# on "ith the ar'ument. The sli#e no" sho"e# a #esert scene, "ith spires of re# roc& risin' a'ainst a blue s&/ lace# "ith clou#s. )fter a moment, the clou#s coalesce# into a lar'er, mist/ clou# that hun' above the lan#scape an# sai#> B- *E)NS3(E)N-8WE . $Those letters,% <oss sai#, $are nine hun#re# feet hi'h. The/ stan# a =uarter of a mile above the lan#scape. The/ are clear to the na&e# e/e, an# the/ photo'raph "ell. )t sunset, the/ become =uite beautiful.% The ima'e chan'e#. $0ere, /ou see their appearance as the sun 'oes #o"nthe letterin' chan'es from "hite to pin&, to re#, an# finall/ #eep in#i'o. So it has the =ualit/, the feelin', of bein' a natural element "ithin the natural lan#scape.% 0e returne# to the ori'inal clou# ima'e in #a/li'ht. $These letters are 'enerate# b/ a marria'e of nanoparticles an# 'eneticall/ mo#ifie# clostri#ium perfrin'ens bacteria. The ima'e is, in effect, a nanos"arm, an# it "ill remain visible in the air for a variable perio# of time, #epen#in' on con#itions@ust as an/ clou# "oul#. It ma/ appear for onl/ a fe" minutes. )t other times, it ma/ appear for an hour. It ma/ appear in multiplesC% 8n the screen, the fluff/ clou#s became the B- slo'an, repeate# infinitel/ in clou# after clou#, stretchin' a"a/ to the hori1on. $I thin& ever/one "ill reco'ni1e the impact of this ne" me#ium. Thenatural me#ium.% 0e ha# expecte# spontaneous applause for this #ramatic visual, but there "as still onl/ silence in the #ar&ness. ;et surel/ the/ "oul# be experiencin' some sort of reaction b/ no". )n infinitel/

repeate# a#vert han'in' in the s&/? Surel/ it must arouse them. $But these clou#s are a special case,% he sai#.

0e returne# tothe un#er"ater ima'e, fishes movin' over the coral reef. $In this case,% he sai#, $si'na'e an# a#verts are borne b/ the livin' creatures themselves, throu'h #irect 'enetic mo#ification of each species. We call this 'enomic a#vertisin'. To capture this ne" me#ium, spee# is of the utmost importance. There are onl/ a limite# number of reef fishes common to tourist "aters. Some fish are more incan#escent than others. *an/ are a bit #rab. So "e "ant to choose the best. )n# the 'enetic mo#ifications "ill re=uire patentin' the marine animal in each case. Thus "e "ill patent the 3a#bur/ clo"n fish, the British -etroleum sta' coral, the *ar&s an# Spencer mora/ eel, the o/al Ban& of Scotlan# an'elfish, an# 'li#in' silentl/ overhea#, the British )ir"a/s manta ra/.% <oss cleare# his throat. $Spee# matters because "e are enterin' a competitive situation. We "ant our 3a#bur/ clo"n fish out there, before the clo"n fish is patente# b/ 0ershe/s or *cBonal#s. )n# "e "ant a stron' creature, since in the natural environment the 3a#bur/ clo"n fish "ill compete a'ainst or#inar/ clo"n fish, an# hopefull/ triumph over them. The more successful our patente# fish, the more fre=uentl/ our messa'e shall be seen, an# the more completel/ the ori'inal, messa'eless fish "ill be #riven to extinction. We are enterin' the era of Bar"inian a#vertisin'7 *a/ the best a#vert "in7%

) cou'hfrom the au#ience. $!avin, for'ive me,% came a voice, $but this appears to be an environmental ni'htmare. Bran# names on fish? Slo'ans in clou#s? )n# "hat else? hinos in )frica that carr/ the (an# over lo'o? If /ou 'o about bran#in' animal species, ever/ environmentalist in the "orl# "ill oppose /ou.% $)ctuall/, the/ "ill not,% <oss sai#, $because "ere not su''estin' that corporationsbran# species. We as& corporations tosponsor species. )s a public service.% 0e pause#. $Thin& ho" man/ museum exhibitions, theater companies, an# s/mphon/ orchestras are entirel/ #epen#ent on corporate sponsorship. Even sections of roa#"a/ are sponsore#, to#a/. Wh/ shoul#nt the same philanthropic spirit be #irecte# to"ar# the natural "orl#"hich surel/ "oul# benefit far more than our roa#s? En#an'ere# species coul# be attractivel/ sponsore#. 3orporations can sta&e their reputations on the survival of animal species, as the/ once sta&e# their reputations on the =ualit/ of #ull television pro'rams. )n# it is the same for other animals that are not /et en#an'ere#. :or all the fish in the sea. We are tal&in' about an era of ma'nificent corporate philanthrop/on a 'lobal scale.% $So, this is the blac& rhino, brou'ht to /ou b/ (an# over? The @a'uar, brou'ht to /ou b/ +a'uar?% $I shoul#nt put it so cru#el/, but, /es, thats "hat "e are proposin'. The point,% he continue#,

$is that this is a "in,"in situation. ) "in for the environment. :or corporations. )n# for a#vertisin'.%

!avin <oss ha# #one hun#re#s of presentations in his career, an# his feelin' for the au#ience ha# never faile# him. 0e coul# feel no" that this 'roup "as not bu/in' it. It "as time to brin' the li'hts up an# ta&e =uestions. 0e stare# at the ro"s of fro"nin' faces. $I a#mit m/ notion is ra#ical,% he sai#. $But the "orl# is chan'in' rapi#l/. Someone is 'oin' to #o this. This coloni1ation of nature"ill happenthe onl/ =uestion is, b/ "hom. I ur'e /ou to consi#er this opportunit/ "ith the 'reatest care, an# then #eci#e if /ou "ant to be a part of it.% :rom the bac&, !arth Ba&er, the hea# of *i#lan#s *e#ia )ssociates (t#., stoo#. $Its =uite a novel i#ea, !avin,% he sai#. $But I must tell /ou "ith some assurance that it "ill not "or&.% $8h? Wh/ is that?% $Because someone has alrea#/ #one it.% 305FV There "as no moon an# no soun#, except the boomin' of the surf in the #ar&ness an# the "hine of the #amp "in#. Tortu'uero beach exten#e# for more than a mile alon' the rou'h )tlantic coast of 3osta ica, but toni'ht it "as no more than a #ar& strip that mer'e# "ith a blac&, starr/ s&/. +ulio *anare1 pause#, "aitin' for his e/es to a#@ust to the #ar&. ) man can see b/ starli'ht, if he ta&es the time. Soon he coul# ma&e out the palm trun&s an# #ebris scattere# over the #ar& san#, an# the lo", scrubb/ plants "hippe# b/ the "in# off the ocean. 0e coul# @ust see "hitecaps in the churnin' seas. The ocean, he &ne", "as fille# "ith shar&s. This stretch of the )tlantic coast "as blea& an# inhospitable. ) =uarter mile #o"n the beach he sa" *anuel, a #ar& shape hunche# beneath the man'roves. 0e "as &eepin' out of the "in#. There "as no one else on the beach. +ulio starte# to"ar# him, passin' the #eep pits #u' b/ the turtles in previous #a/s. This beach "as one of the bree#in' 'roun#s for leatherbac& turtles, "hich came up from the ocean in #ar&ness to la/ their e''s. The process too& most of the ni'ht, an# the turtles "ere vulnerable in the ol# #a/s, to poachers, an# no" mostl/ to the @a'uars that roame# the beach, blac& as the ni'ht itself. )s the ne"l/ appointe# conservation chief of the re'ion, +ulio "as "ell a"are that turtles "ere &ille# ever/ "ee& alon' this coast. Tourists helpe# prevent this9 if tourists "ere "al&in' the beach, the @a'uars sta/e# a"a/. But often the cats came after mi#ni'ht, "hen the tourists ha# 'one home to their hotels.

It "as possible to ima'ine an evolutionar/ selection pressure pro#ucin' some #efense a'ainst the @a'uar. When he "as in 'ra#uate school, in San +uan, he an# the other stu#ents use# to @o&e about it. Were tourists a'ents of evolution? Tourists chan'e# ever/thin' else about a countr/, "h/ not its "il#life? Because if a turtle happene# to possess some =ualit/perhaps a tolerance for flashli'hts, or the abilit/ to ma&e a plaintive, paine# motherin' soun#if the/ ha# somethin' that #re" tourists an# &ept them han'in' aroun# into the ni'ht, then those turtles "oul# be more li&el/ to survive, an# their e''s more li&el/ to survive, an# their offsprin' more li&el/ to survive. Bifferential survival that resulte# from bein' a tourist attraction. That ha# been the @o&e, in school. But, of course, it "as theoreticall/ possible. )n# if "hat *anuel "as tellin' him "as trueC *anuel sa" him an# "ave#. 0e stoo# as +ulio approache#. $This "a/,% he sai#, an# starte# #o"n the beach. $;ou fin# more than one toni'ht, +ulio?% $+ust one. 8f that &in# I "as spea&in' of.% $*u/ bien.% The/ "al&e# #o"n the beach in silence. But the/ ha# not 'one farperhaps a hun#re# /ar#s or so"hen +ulio sa" the faint purple 'lo", lo" to the san#, an# pulsin' sli'htl/. $Thats it?% $Thats it,% *anuel sai#.

She "as a femaleof perhaps one hun#re# &ilos, a meter an# a =uarter lon'. She ha# characteristic shell plates, about the si1e of his palm. Bro"nish, strea&e# "ith blac&. She "as half burie# in the san#, #i''in' a pit at the rear "ith her flippers. +ulio stoo# over her an# "atche#. $It starts an# stops,% *anuel sai#. )n# then it be'an a'ain. ) purple 'lo" that seeme# to emanate from "ithin the in#ivi#ual plates of the shell. Some plates #i# not have the 'lo" an# "ere #ar&. Some 'lo"e# onl/ occasionall/. 8thers 'lo"e# each time. Each pulse seeme# to last about a secon#, risin' =uic&l/, fa#in' slo"l/. $So ho" man/ turtles li&e this have /ou seen?% +ulio sai#.

$This is the thir#.% $)n# this li'ht &eeps the @a'uars a"a/?% 0e continue# to "atch the soft pulsin'. 0e felt that the =ualit/ of the 'lo" "as o##l/ familiar. )lmost li&e a firefl/. 8r a 'lo"in' bacterium in the surf. Somethin' he ha# seen before. $;es, the @a'uars &eep their #istance.% $Wait a minute,% +ulio sai#. $What is this?% 0e pointe# to the shell, "here a pattern of li'ht an# #ar& plates emer'e#. $It onl/ happens sometimes.% $But /ou see it?% $;es, I see it.% $It loo&s li&e a hexa'on.% $I #ont &no"C% $But it is li&e a s/mbol, "oul#nt /ou sa/? 8f a corporation?% $-erhaps, /es. It is possible.% $What about the other turtles? The/ sho" this pattern?% $No, each one is #ifferent.% $So this mi'ht be a ran#om pattern that @ust happens to loo& li&e a hexa'on?% $;es. +ulio, I believe it is. Because /ou see the ima'e on the shell is not so 'oo#, it is not s/mmetricalC% Even as he spo&e, the ima'e fa#e#. The turtle "as #ar& a'ain. $3an /ou photo'raph this pattern?% $I alrea#/ have. It is a time exposure, "ithout the flash, so there is some blurrin'. But, /es, I have it.% $!oo#,% +ulio sai#. $Because this is a 'enetic chan'e. (ets revie" the visitor lo', an# see "ho mi'ht have #one this.% 305FG +osh.%It "as his mother, on the phone.

$;es, *om.% $I thou'ht /ou shoul# &no". ;ou remember (ois !rahams son, Eric, "ho "as on heroin? Theres been a terrible tra'e#/. 0e #ie#.% +osh 'ave a lon' si'h. 0e leane# bac& in his chair an# close# his e/es. $0o"?% $In a car crash. But then the/ #i# the autops/ or "hatever. Eric ha# a fatal heart attac&. 0e "as t"ent/,one, +osh.% $Was it in the famil/? Some con'enital thin'?% $No. Erics father lives in S"it1erlan#9 hes sixt/,four. 0e climbs mountains. )n# (ois is fine. 8f course shes crushe#. Were all crushe#.% +osh sai# nothin'. $Thin's "ere 'oin' so "ell for Eric. 0e "as off #ru's, he ha# a ne" @ob, he# applie# to 'o bac& to school in the fallChe "as 'ettin' bal#, "as the onl/ thin'. -eople thou'ht he# ha# chemo. 0e# lost so much hair. )n# he "al&e# stoope# over. +osh? )re /ou there?% $Im here.% $I sa" him last "ee&. 0e loo&e# li&e an ol# man.% +osh sai# nothin'. $The famil/s sittin'. ;ou ou'ht to 'o.% $Ill tr/.% $+osh. ;our brother loo&s ol#, too.% $I &no".% $I trie# to tell him it "as li&e his father. To cheer him up. But )#am @ust loo&sso ol#. % $I &no".% $Whats 'oin' on?% she sai#. $What have /ou #one to him?% $What haveI #one?% $;es, +osh. ;ou 'ave these people some 'ene. 8r "hatever that spra/ "as. )n# the/re 'ettin' ol#.%

$*om. )#am #i# it to himself. 0e suc&e# #o"n the spra/ himself because he thou'ht it# 'et him hi'h. I "asnt even "ith him at the time. )n# /ou as&e# me to 'ive the spra/ to (ois !rahams son.% $I #ont &no" ho" /ou coul# thin& such a thin'.% $;ou calle# me up.% $+osh, /oure bein' ri#iculous. Wh/ "oul# I call? I #ont &no" an/thin' about /our "or&.;ou calle#me , an# as&e# "here Eric live#. )n# /ou as&e# me not to tell his mother. Thats "hat I remember.% +osh sai# nothin'. 0e presse# the tips of his fin'ers a'ainst his close# e/es until he sa" bri'ht patterns. 0e "ante# to escape. 0e "ante# to leave this office, this compan/. 0e "ante# none of this to be true. $*om,% he sai# finall/. $This coul# be ver/ serious.% 0e "as thin&in' that he coul# 'o to @ail. $8f course its serious. Im ver/ fri'htene# no", +osh. Whats 'oin' to happen? )m I 'oin' to lose m/ son?% $I #ont &no", *om. I hope not.% $I thin& theres a chance,% she sai#. $Because I calle# up the (evines in Scars#ale. The/re alrea#/ ol#, the t"o of them. -ast sixt/. )n# the/ soun#e# @ust fine. 0elen sai# she "as never better. !eor'e is pla/in' a lot of 'olf.% $Thats 'oo#,% he sai#. $So ma/be the/re o&a/.% $I thin& so.% $Then ma/be )#am "ill be o&a/, too.% $I reall/ hope so, *om. I reall/ #o.% 0e 'ot off the phone. 8f course the (evines "ere fine. 0e ha# sent sterile saline in the spra/ tubes. The/ ha#nt 'otten the 'ene. 0e "asnt about to sen# his experimental 'enes to some people in Ne" ;or& he #i#nt &no". )n# if this 'ave his mother hope, then fine. <eep it that "a/. Because ri'ht no", +osh #i#nt hol# out much hope. Not for his brother. )n# ultimatel/ not for himself.

0e "as 'oin' to have to tell ic& Biehl. But not no". Not ri'ht no". 305FT !ail Bon#shusban#, ichar#, the investment ban&er, often "or&e# late entertainin' important clients. )n# none "as more important than the )merican sittin' across the table from him no"> Barton Williams, the famous 3levelan# investor. $;ou "ant a surprise for /our "ife, Barton?% ichar# Bon# sai#. $I believe I have @ust the thin'.% 0unche# #o"n over the #inner table, Williams loo&e# up "ith onl/ sli'ht interest. Barton Williams "as sevent/,five, an# closel/ resemble# a toa#. 0e ha# a @o"l/, #roop/ face "ith lar'e pores, a broa#, flat nose, an# bu' e/es. 0is habit of placin' his arms flat on the table an# restin' his chin on his fin'ers ma#e him loo& even more li&e a toa#. In fact, he "as restin' an arthritic nec&, since he #isli&e# "earin' a brace. 0e felt it ma#e him loo& ol#. 0e coul# lie flat on the table, as far as ichar# Bon# "as concerne#. Williams "as ol# enou'h an# rich enou'h to #o "hatever he "ante#, an# "hat he ha# al"a/s "ante#, all his life, "as "omen. Bespite a'e an# appearance, he continue# to have them in pro#i'ious =uantities, at all times of #a/. ichar# ha# arran'e# for several "omen to #rop b/ the table at the en# of the meal. The/ "oul# be members of his staff, #roppin' off papers for him. 8r ol# 'irlfrien#s, comin' b/ for a &iss an# an intro#uction. ) fe" "oul# be other #iners, a#mirers of the 'reat investor, an# so #a11le# the/ ha# to come an# meet him. None of this foole# Barton Williams, but it amuse# him, an# he expecte# his business partners to 'o to a little trouble for him. When /ou "ere "orth ten billion #ollars, people ma#e an effort to &eep /ou happ/. That "as ho" it "or&e#. 0e vie"e# it as a tribute. ;et at this particular moment, more than an/thin' else, Barton Williams "ante# to placate his "ife of fort/ /ears. :or inexplicable reasons, Evel/n, at a'e sixt/, "as su##enl/ #issatisfie# "ith her marria'e an# "ith Bartons en#less escapa#es, as she referre# to them. ) present "oul# help. $But it better be #amn 'oo#,% Barton sai#. $Shes accustome# to ever/thin'. Villas in :rance, /achts in Sar#inia, @e"elr/ from Winston, chefs flo"n in from ome for her #o's birth#a/. Thats the problem. I cant bu/ her off an/more. Shes sixt/ an# @a#e#.% $I promise /ou, this present is uni=ue in the "orl#,% ichar# sai#. $;our "ife loves animals, #oes she not?% $0as her o"n #amn 1oo, ri'ht on the propert/.% $)n# she &eeps bir#s?% $3hrist. *ust be a hun#re#. We 'ot finches in the #amn sun room. 3hitter all #a/. She bree#s

em.% $)n# parrots?% $Ever/ &in#. None tal&, than& !o#. She never ha# much luc& "ith parrots.% $0er luc& is about to chan'e.% Barton si'he#. $She #oesnt "ant another #amn parrot.% $She "ants this one,% ichar# sai#. $Its the onl/ one li&e it in the "orl#.% $Im leavin' at six tomorro" mornin',% Barton 'rumble#. $Itll be "aitin' on /our plane,% ichar# sai#. 305M5 ob Bellarminosmile# reassurin'l/. $+ust i'nore the cameras,% he sai# to the &i#s. The/ ha# set up in the school librar/ of !eor'e Washin'ton 0i'h in Silver Sprin', *ar/lan#. Three semicircles of chairs aroun# a central chair, "here Br. Bellarmino sat "hile he tal&e# to the stu#ents about the ethical issues of 'enetics. The TV people ha# three cameras 'oin', one at the bac& of the room, one at the si#e, close on Bellarmino, an# one facin' the &i#s, to recor# their expressions of fascination as the/ hear# about the life of a "or&in' 'eneticist at the NI0. )ccor#in' to the sho"s pro#ucer, it "as important to sho" Bellarminos interaction "ith the communit/, an# he coul# not have a'ree# more. The &i#s "ere speciall/ pic&e# to be bri'ht an# &no"le#'eable. 0e thou'ht it "oul# be fun. 0e spo&e about his bac&'roun# an# trainin' for a fe" minutes, an# then too& =uestions. The first one ma#e him pause. $Br. Bellarmino,% a /oun' )sian 'irl as&e#, $"hat is /our opinion of that "oman in Texas "ho clone# her #ea# cat?% In fact, Bellarmino thou'ht the "hole #ea#,cat business "as ri#iculous. 0e thou'ht it #iminishe# the important "or& he an# others "ere #oin'. But he coul#nt sa/ that. $8f course, this is a #ifficult, emotional situation,% Bellarmino sai# #iplomaticall/. $We are all fon# of our pets, butC% 0e hesitate#. $This "or& "as #one b/ a 3alifornia compan/ calle# !enetic Savin's an# 3lone, an# it "as reporte# that the cost "as fift/ thousan# #ollars.% $Bo /ou thin& its ethical to clone a pet cat?% the 'irl as&e#. $)s /ou &no",% he sai#, $=uite a fe" animals have no" been clone#, inclu#in' sheep, mice, #o's, an# cats. So it has become rather unremar&ableC8ne concern is that a clone# animal #oes

not have the same life span as a normal animal.% )nother stu#ent sai#, $Is it ethical to pa/ fift/ thousan# #ollars to clone a pet, "hen so man/ people are starvin' in the "orl#?% Bellarmino 'roane# in"ar#l/. 0o" "as he 'oin' to chan'e the sub@ect? $I am not enthusiastic about this proce#ure,% he sai#. $But I "oul# not 'o so far as to call it unethical.% $Isnt it unethical because it ma&es a climate of normalit/ to clone a human bein'?% $I #ont thin& clonin' a pet has an/ effect on the issues concernin' human clonin'.% $Woul# it be ethical to clone a human bein'?% $:ortunatel/,% Bellarmino sai#, $that issue is =uite far in the future. To#a/, I hope "e mi'ht consi#er real contemporar/ issues. We have people "ho express concerns about 'eneticall/ mo#ifie# foo#s9 "e have concerns about 'ene therap/, an# stem cells9 an# these are real issues. Bo an/ of /ou share that concern?% ) /oun' bo/ in the bac& raise# his han#. $;es?% $Bo /ou thin& it is possible to clone a human bein'?% the bo/ as&e#. $;es, I thin& it is possible. Not no", but eventuall/.% $When?% $I "oul#nt "ant to 'uess "hen. )re there =uestions on a #ifferent sub@ect?% )nother han#. $;es?% $In /our opinion, is human clonin' unethical?% )'ain, Bellarmino hesitate#. 0e "as acutel/ a"are his response "as 'oin' to be broa#cast on television. )n# "ho coul# &no" ho" the net"or& "oul# e#it his remar&s? The/# probabl/ #o their best to ma&e him loo& as ba# as possible. eporters ha# a #istinct pre@u#ice a'ainst people of faith. )n# his "or#s also carrie# professional "ei'ht, because he ran a #ivision of NI0. $;ouve probabl/ hear# a lot about clonin', an# most of it is untrue. Spea&in' as a scientist, I must a#mit I see nothin' inherentl/ "ron' "ith clonin'. I see no moral issue. It is @ust another 'enetic proce#ure. We alrea#/ have #one it "ith a variet/ of animals, as I have mentione#. 0o"ever, I also &no" that the proce#ure of clonin' has a hi'h failure rate. *an/ animals #ie before one is successfull/ clone#. 3learl/ that "oul# be unacceptable for human bein's. So, for the moment, I re'ar# clonin' as a non,problem.% $Isnt clonin' pla/in' !o#?% $I personall/ "oul#nt #efine the issue that "a/,% he sai#. $If !o# has ma#e human bein's, an# ma#e the rest of the "orl#, then clearl/ !o# has ma#e the tools of 'enetic en'ineerin'. So, in

that sense, !o# has alrea#/ ma#e 'enetic mo#ification available. That is the "or& of !o#, not man. )n#, as al"a/s, it is up to us to use "isel/ "hat !o# has 'iven us.% 0e felt better after this9 it "as one of his stoc& ans"ers. $So is clonin' a "ise use of "hat !o# has 'iven us?% )'ainst his ever/ instinct, he "ipe# his forehea# "ith the sleeve of his @ac&et. 0e hope# the/ "oul#nt use that bit of film, althou'h he "as sure the/ "oul#. ;oun' &i#s s"eat the hea# of NI0. $Some people thin& the/ &no" "hat !o# inten#s,% he sai#. $But I #ont believe I &no". I #ont believe an/one can &no" that, except !o#. I thin& an/one "ho sa/s he &no"s !o#s intention is sho"in' a lot of ver/ human e'o.% 0e "ante# to 'lance at his "atch, but he #i#nt. The &i#s "ere loo&in' =ui11ical, not enrapture#, as he ha# expecte#. $Theres a 'reat ran'e of 'enetic issues,% he sai#. $(ets move on.% $Br. Bellarmino,% sai# a &i# to the left, $I "ante# to as& about antisocial personalit/ #isor#er. Ive rea# there is a 'ene for it, an# its associate# "ith violence an# crime, sociopathic behaviorC% $;es, thats true. The 'ene appears in about t"o percent of the population aroun# the "orl#.% $What about Ne" Sealan#? It is in thirt/ percent of the "hite Ne" Sealan# population, an# sixt/ percent of the *aori populationC% $Thats been reporte#, but /ou must be careful% $But #oesnt that mean violence is here#itar/? I mean, shoul#nt "e be tr/in' to 'et ri# of this 'ene, the "a/ "e 'ot ri# of smallpox?% Bellarmino pause#. 0e "as startin' to "on#er ho" man/ of these &i#s ha# parents "ho "or&e# in Bethes#a. 0e ha#nt thou'ht to as& for the names of the &i#s in a#vance. But the =uestions from these &i#s "ere too &no"le#'eable, too relentless. Was one of his man/ enemies tr/in' to #iscre#it him, b/ usin' these &i#s? Was the "hole net"or& plan a trap to ma&e him loo& ba#? The first step to"ar# pushin' him out of NI0? This "as the information a'e9 it "as ho" such thin's "ere #one to#a/. )rran'e to ma&e /ou loo& ba#, ma&e /ou loo& "ea&. -ush /ou to sa/ somethin' foolish, an# then "atch /our "or#s repeate# over an# over for the next fort/,ei'ht hours on ever/ cable ne"s sho" an# in ever/ ne"spaper column. Next, have con'ressmen call for /ou to retract /our statements. 3luc&in' ton'ues, sha&in' hea#sC0o" coul# he be so insensitive? Was he reall/ suite# for the @ob? Wasnt he reall/ a liabilit/ at his post? )n# then /ou "ere out. That "as ho" it "as #one, these #a/s.

No" Bellarmino "as facin' a #an'erousl/ loa#e# =uestion about *aori 'enetics. Shoul# he sa/ "hat he reall/ believe#, an# ris& bein' accuse# of #emeanin' a #o"ntro##en ethnic minorit/? Bi# he mute his comments, but still ris& criticism for promotin' eu'enics? 0o", actuall/, coul# he sa/ an/thin' at all? 0e #eci#e# he coul#nt. $;ou &no",% he sai#, $thats an extremel/ interestin' area of research, but "e @ust #ont &no" enou'h /et to ans"er. Next =uestion?% 305ME It ha# been rainin' all #a/ in southern Sumatra. The @un'le floor "as "et. The leaves "ere "et. Ever/thin' "as "et. The vi#eo cre"s from aroun# the "orl# ha# lon' since 'one on to other assi'nments. No" 0a'ar "as bac& "ith onl/ one client> a man name# !orevitch. ) famous "il#life photo'rapher "ho ha# flo"n in from Tan1ania. !orevitch ha# set up beneath a lar'e ficus tree, un1ippe# a #uffel ba', an# remove# a n/lon mesh slin', li&e a hammoc&. 0e set this on the 'roun# carefull/. Then he brou'ht out a metal case, poppe# it open, an# assemble# a rifle. $;ou &no" thats ille'al,% 0a'ar sai#. $This is a preserve.% $No shit.% $If the ran'ers come throu'h, /ou better 'et that stuff out of si'ht.% $Not a problem.% !orevitch char'e# the compressor, opene# the chamber. $0o" bi' is this 'u/?% $0es a @uvenile, t"o or three /ears ol#. *a/be thirt/ &ilos. -robabl/ less.% $8&a/. Ten ccs.% !orevitch pulle# a #art out of the case, chec&e# the level, an# slippe# it into the chamber. Then another. )n# another. 0e clic&e# the chamber close#. 0e sai# to 0a'ar, $When "as the last time /ou sa" him?% $Ten #a/s a'o.% $Where?% $Near here.% $0e comes bac&? This is his home ran'e?% $Seems to be.% !orevitch s=uinte# #o"n the telescopic si'ht. 0e s"un' it in an arc, then up to the s&/, then bac&. Satisfie#, he put the 'un #o"n.

$;ou 'ot a lo" enou'h #ose?% $Bont "orr/,% !orevitch sai#. $)lso, if hes hi'h in the canop/, /ou cant shoot because% $I sai#, #ont "orr/.% !orevitch loo&e# at 0a'ar. $I &no" "hat Im #oin'. Bose is @ust enou'h to unstea#/ him. 0ell come #o"n b/ himself, lon' before he collapses. We ma/ have to trac& him on the 'roun# for a "hile.% $;ouve #one this before?% !orevitch no##e#. $With oran's?% $3himps.% $3himps are #ifferent.% $ eall/.% Sarcastic. The t"o men fell into an uneas/ silence. !orevitch 'ot out a vi#eo camera an# tripo#, an# set them up. Then a lon',ran'e microphone "ith a one,foot #ish, "hich he clippe# to the top of the camera "ith a mountin' pole. It ma#e an un'ainl/ apparatus, but effective, 0a'ar thou'ht. !orevitch s=uatte# on his haunches an# stare# out at the @un'le. The men listene# to the soun# of the rain, an# "aite#.

In recent "ee&s,the tal&in' oran'utan ha# fa#e# from the me#ia. The stor/ ha# 'one the "a/ of other animal reports that #i#nt prove out> that )r&ansas "oo#pec&er nobo#/ coul# fin# a'ain, an# the six,foot 3on'o ape that nobo#/ coul# locate #espite persistent stories b/ natives, an# the 'iant bat "ith the t"elve,foot "in'span that "as suppose#l/ seen in the @un'les of Ne" !uinea. )s far as !orevitch "as concerne#, the #eclinin' interest "as i#eal. Because "hen the ape "as finall/ re#iscovere#, me#ia attention "oul# be ten times 'reater than it "oul# have been other"ise. Especiall/ because !orevitch inten#e# to #o more than recor# the tal&in' ape. 0e inten#e# to brin' it bac& alive. 0e 1ippe# his @ac&et collar ti'ht a'ainst the #rippin' rain, an# he "aite#.

It "as late in the afternoon, an# startin' to 'et #ar&. !orevitch "as #o1in' off "hen he hear# a lo" 'ravell/ voice sa/, $)lors. *er#e.% 0e opene# his e/es. 0e loo&e# at 0a'ar, sittin' nearb/. 0a'ar shoo& his hea#. $)lors. 3omment Oa va?% !orevitch loo&e# slo"l/ aroun#. $*er#e. Scumba'. EspPce #e con.%It "as a lo" soun#, throat/, li&e a #run& at a bar.$:un'ele a uste#.% !orevitch turne# on the camera. 0e coul#nt tell "here the voice "as comin' from, but he coul# at least recor# it. 0e s"un' the lens in a slo" arc, "hile he "atche# the microphone levels. Because the mi&e "as #irectional, he "as able to #etermine that the soun# "as comin' fromC the south. Nine ocloc& from "here he "as. 0e s=uinte# throu'h the fin#er, 1oome# in. 0e coul# see nothin'. The @un'le "as becomin' #ar&er ever/ minute. 0a'ar stoo# motionless nearb/, @ust "atchin'. No" there "as a crashin' of branches, an# !orevitch 'limpse# a sha#o" as it strea&e# across the lens. 0e loo&e# up an# sa" the shape movin' hi'her an# hi'her, s"in'in' on branches as it "ent up into the overhea# canop/. In a fe" moments the oran' "as sevent/ feet in the air above them. $!o#s vloe& het. )sshole "i@&@e. Vloe&.% 0e too& the camera off the tripo#, trie# to film. It "as blac&. Nothin'. :lic&e# on ni'ht vision. 0e sa" nothin' but 'reen strea&s as the animal move# in an# out of the thic& folia'e. The oran' "as movin' hi'her an# laterall/. $Vloe& het. *oe#er fuc&er.% $Nice mouth on him.% But the voice "as 'ro"in' fainter. !orevitch reali1e# he ha# a #ecision to ma&e, an# =uic&l/. 0e set the camera #o"n an# reache# for the rifle. 0e s"un' it up an# si'hte# #o"n the scope. *ilitar/ ni'ht vision, bri'ht 'reen, ver/ clear. 0e sa" the ape, sa" the e/es 'lo"in' "hite #ots 0a'ar sai#, $No7%

The oran' @umpe# to another tree, suspen#e# in space for an instant. !orevitch fire#. 0e hear# the hiss of 'as an# theth"ac& of the #art smac&in' the leaves. $*isse# him.% 0e raise# the rifle a'ain. $Bont #o this% $Shut up.% !orevitch si'hte#, fire#. In the trees above, there "as a momentar/ pause in the thrashin' soun#. $;ou hit him,% 0a'ar sai#. !orevitch "aite#. The crashin' of leaves an# branches be'an a'ain. The oran' "as movin', no" almost #irectl/ overhea#. $No, I #i#nt.% !orevitch raise# the 'un once more. $;es, /ou #i#. If /ou shoot a'ain% !orevitch fire#. ) "hoosh of 'as near his ear, then silence. !orevitch lo"ere# the 'un an# move# to reloa# it, &eepin' his e/es on the canop/ overhea#. 0e crouche# #o"n, flic&e# open his metal case, an# felt for more cartri#'es. 0e &ept loo&in' up"ar# the "hole time. Silence. $;ou hit him,% 0a'ar sai#. $*a/be.% $I &no" /ou hit him.% $No, /ou #ont.% !orevitch poppe# three more cartri#'es into the 'un. $;ou #ont &no" that.% $0es not movin'. ;ou hit him.% !orevitch too& his position, raise# the rifle, @ust in time to see a #ar& shape come plummetin' #o"n"ar#. It "as the oran', fallin' strai'ht #o"n from the canop/ more than EM5 feet above

them. The animal crashe# to the 'roun# at !orevitchs feet, splatterin' mu#. The oran' #i#nt move. 0a'ar s"un' a flashli'ht. Three #arts protru#e# from the bo#/. 8ne in the le', t"o in the chest. The oran' "as not movin'. The animals e/es "ere open, starin' up"ar#. $!reat,% 0a'ar sai#. $!reat "or&.% !orevitch #roppe# to his &nees in the mu#, put his mouth over the oran's bi' lips, an# ble" air into his lun's, to resuscitate him. 305M4 Six attorne/ssat at the lon' table, all shufflin' throu'h papers. It soun#e# li&e a "in#storm. ic& Biehl "aite# impatientl/, bitin' his lip. :inall/ )lbert o#ri'ue1, his hea# attorne/, loo&e# up. $The situation is this,% o#ri'ue1 sai#. $;ou have 'oo# reasonsufficient reason, an/"a/to believe that :ran& Burnet conspire# to #estro/ the cell lines in /our possession, so that he coul# sell them a'ain to some other compan/.% $ i'ht,% ic& sai#. $:uc&in' ri'ht.% $Three courts have rule# that Burnets cells are /our propert/. ;ou therefore have a ri'ht to ta&e them.% $;ou mean, ta&e thema'ain. % $3orrect.% $Except the 'u/ has 'one into hi#in'.% $That is inconvenient. But it #oes not chan'e the material facts of the situation. ;ou are the o"ner of the Burnet cell line,% o#ri'ue1 sai#. $Wherever those cells ma/ occur.% $*eanin'C% $0is chil#ren. 0is 'ran#chil#ren. The/ probabl/ have the same cells.% $;ou mean, I can ta&e cells from the &i#s?% $The cells are /our propert/,% o#ri'ue1 sai#. $What if the &i#s #ont a'ree to let me ta&e them?%

$The/ ma/ ver/ "ell not a'ree. But since the cells are /our propert/, the chil#ren #ont have an/ sa/ in the matter.% $Were tal&in' punch biopsies of liver an# spleen, here,% Biehl sai#. $The/re not exactl/ minor proce#ures.% $The/re not exactl/ ma@or, either,% o#ri'ue1 sai#. $I believe the/ are or#inar/ outpatient proce#ures. 8f course, /ou "oul# have a #ut/ to ma&e sure that the cell extractions "ere performe# b/ a competent ph/sician. I assume /ou "oul#.% Biehl fro"ne#. $(et me see if I un#erstan#. ;oure tellin' me I can @ust 'rab his &i#s off the street an# haul them to a #octor an# remove their cells? Whether the/ li&e it or not?% $I am. ;es.% $)n# ho",% ic& Biehl sai#, $can that be le'al?% $Because the/ are "al&in' aroun# "ith cells that are le'all/ /ours, hence "ith stolen propert/. Thats felon/ t"o. .n#er the la", if /ou "itness a felon/ bein' committe#, /ou are entitle# to perform a citi1ens arrest, an# ta&e the offen#er into custo#/. So if /ou "ere to see Burnets chil#ren "al&in' on the street, /ou coul# le'all/ arrest them.% $*e, personall/?% $No, no,% o#ri'ue1 sai#. $In these circumstances one avails oneself of a traine# professionala fu'itive,recover/ a'ent.% $;ou mean a bount/ hunter?% $The/ #ont li&e that term, an# neither #o "e.% $)ll ri'ht. Bo /ou &no" of a 'oo# fu'itive,recover/ a'ent?% $We #o,% o#ri'ue1 sai#. $Then 'et him on the phone,% Biehl sai#. $ i'ht no".% 305MK Vasco Bor#en face# the mirror an# revie"e# his appearance "ith a professional e/e, "hile he brushe# mascara into the 'ra/in' e#'es of his 'oatee. Vasco "as a bi' man, six,feet,four an# t"o,fort/, all muscle, nine percent bo#/ fat. 0is shave# hea# an# his trimme#, blac& 'oatee ma#e him loo& li&e the #evil. 8ne bi' mother of a #evil. 0e meant to appear intimi#atin', an# he #i#. 0e turne# to the suitcase on the be#. In it he ha# neatl/ pac&e# a set of coveralls "ith a 3on E#

lo'o on the breast9 a lou# plai# sport coat9 a sharp blac& Italian suit9 a motorc/cle @ac&et that rea# BIE IN 0E(( on the bac&9 a velour trac&suit9 a brea&a"a/ plaster le' cast9 a short,barrel *ossber' MT5 an# t"o blac& -ara .FMs. :or to#a/, he "as #resse# in a t"ee# sport coat, casual slac&s, an# bro"n lace,up shoes. :inall/, he lai# three photos out on the be#. :irst, the 'u/, :ran& Burnet. :ift/,one, fit, ex,*arine. The 'u/s #au'hter, )lex, earl/ thirties, a la"/er. The 'u/s 'ran#son, +amie, no" ei'ht. The ol# 'u/ ha# vanishe#, an# Vasco sa" no reason to bother fin#in' him. Burnet coul# be an/"here in the "orl#*exico, 3osta ica, )ustralia. *uch easier to 'et the cells #irectl/ from other famil/ members. 0e loo&e# at the photo of the #au'hter, )lex. ) la"/ernever 'oo#, as a tar'et. Even if /ou han#le# them perfect, /ou still 'ot sue#. This 'al "as blon#, loo&e# to be in #ecent ph/sical shape. )ttractive enou'h, if /ou li&e# the t/pe. She "as too s&inn/ for Vascos taste. )n# she probabl/ too& some Israeli #efense class on "ee&en#s. ;ou never &ne". )n/"a/, she spelle# potential trouble. That left the &i#. +amie. Ei'ht /ears ol#, secon# 'ra#e, local school. Vasco coul# 'et #o"n there, pic& him up, collect the samples, an# be #one "ith this "hole thin' b/ the afternoon. Which "as fine "ith him. Vasco ha# a fift/,thousan#,#ollar completion bonus if he recovere# in the first "ee&. That #ecline# to ten thousan# after four "ee&s. So he ha# plent/ of reason to 'et it over "ith. Bo the &i#, he thou'ht. Simple an# to the point. Boll/ came in, the paper in her han#. To#a/ she "as "earin' a nav/ blue suit, lo" shoes, "hite shirt. She ha# a bro"n leather briefcase. )s usual, her blan# loo&s enable# her to move about "ithout attractin' notice. $0o" #oes this loo&?% she sai#, an# han#e# him the paper. 0e scanne# it =uic&l/. It "as a $To Whom It *a/ 3oncern,% si'ne# b/ )lex Burnet. )llo"in' the bearer to pic& up her son, +amie, from school an# ta&e him to the famil/ #octor for his exam. $;ou calle# the #octors office?% Vasco sai#. $;eah. Sai# +amie ha# a fever an# sore throat, an# the/ sai# brin' him in.% $So if the school calls the #octorC% $Were covere#.%

$)n# /oure sent from the mothers office?% $ i'ht.% $!ot /our car#?% She pulle# out a business car#, "ith the lo'o of the la" firm. $)n# if the/ call the mother?% $0er cell number is liste# on the paper, as /ou see.% $)n# thats 3in#/?% $;es.% 3in#/ "as their office #ispatcher, in -la/a #el e/. $8&a/, lets 'et it #one,% Vasco sai#. 0e put his arm aroun# her shoul#er. $;ou 'oin' to be o&a/, #oin' this?% $Sure, "h/ not?% $;ou &no" "h/ not.% Boll/ ha# a "ea&ness for &i#s. Whenever she loo&e# in their e/es she melte#. The/# ha# a fu'itive in 3ana#a, ran him #o"n in Vancouver, the &i# ans"ere# the #oor an# Boll/ as&e# if her father "as home. The &i# "as a little 'irl about ei'ht, she sai# no, not there. Boll/ sai# o&a/ an# left. *ean"hile the 'u/ "as #rivin' up the street, on his "a/ home. 0is #arlin' &i# shut the #oor, "ent to the phone, calle# her ol# man, an# tol# him to &eep 'oin'. The &i# "as experience#. The/# been on the run since she "as five. The/ never 'ot close to the 'u/ a'ain. $That "as @ust one time,% Boll/ sai#. $Theres been more than one.% $Vasco,% she sai#. $Ever/thin's 'oin' to be fine to#a/.% $8&a/,% he sai#. )n# he let her &iss him on the chee&.

8ut in the #rive"a/,the ambulance "as par&e#, rear #oors open. Vasco smelle# ci'arette smo&e. 0e "ent aroun# to the bac&. Nic& "as sittin' there in a "hite lab coat, smo&in'. $+esus, Nic&. Whatre /ou #oin'?% $+ust one,% Nic& sai#.

$-ut it out,% Vasco sai#. $Were hea#in' off no". ;ou 'ot the stuff?% $I #o.% Nic& amse/ "as the #oc the/ use# on @obs "hen the/ nee#e# a #oc. 0e# "or&e# in emer'enc/ rooms until his #ru',an#,alcohol habit too& over. 0e "as out of rehab no", but stea#/ emplo/ment "as har# to come b/. $The/ "ant liver an# spleen punch biopsies, an# the/ "ant bloo#% $I rea# it. :ine,nee#le aspirations. Im rea#/.% Vasco pause#. $;ou been #rin&in', Nic&?% $No. Shit no.% $I smell somethin' on /our breath.% $No, no. 3ome on, Vasco, /ou &no" I "oul#nt% $I 'ot a 'oo# nose, Nic&.% $No.% $8pen /our mouth.% Vasco leane# for"ar# an# sniffe#. $I @ust ha# a taste is all,% Nic& sai#. Vasco hel# out his han#. $Bottle.% Nic& reache# un#er the 'urne/, han#e# him a pint bottle of +ac& Baniels. $Thats 'reat.% Vasco move# close, 'ot in his face. $No" listen to me,% he sai# =uietl/. $;ou pull an/ more stunts to#a/, an# Ill personall/ thro" /ou out the bac& of this ambulance onto the F5M. ;ou "ant to ma&e a tra'e#/ of /our life, Ill see that it happens. ;ou 'ot me?% $;eah, Vasco.% $!oo#. Im 'la# "e have an un#erstan#in'.% 0e steppe# bac&. $0ol# out /our han#s.% $Im fine% $0ol# out /our han#s.% Vasco never raise# his voice in moments of tension. 0e lo"ere# it. *a&e them listen. *a&e them "orr/. $0ol# /our han#s out no", Nic&.% Nic& amse/ hel# out his han#s. The/ "erent sha&in'.

$8&a/. !et in the car.% $I @ust% $!et in the car, Nic&. Im throu'h tal&in'.% Vasco 'ot in the front "ith Boll/, an# starte# #rivin'. Boll/ sai#, $0e o&a/ bac& there?% $*ore or less.% $0e "ont hurt the &i#, ri'ht?% $Nah,% Vasco sai#. $Its @ust a couple of nee#les. :e" secon#s is all.% $0e better not hurt that &i#.% $0e/,% Vasco sai#. $)re /ou fine about this, or "hat?% $;eah, Im fine.% $8&a/ then. (ets #o it.% 0e #rove #o"n the roa#. 305MF Bra# !or#on ha# a ba# feelin' as he "al&e# into the Bor#er 3afD on Ventura Boulevar# an# loo&e# at the booths. The place "as a 'reas/ spoon, fille# "ith actors. ) 'u/ "ave# from a rear booth. Bra# "al&e# bac& to him. The 'u/ "as "earin' a li'ht 'ra/ suit. 0e "as short an# bal#in' an# loo&e# unsure of himself. 0is han#sha&e "as "ea&. $Will/ +ohnson,% he sai#, $Im /our ne" attorne/ for the upcomin' trial.% $I thou'ht m/ uncle, +ac& Watson, "as provi#in' the attorne/.% $0e is,% +ohnson sai#. $Im he. -e#erast/ is m/ specialt/.% $Whats that mean?% $Sex "ith a bo/. But I have experience "ith an/ un#era'e partner.% $I #i#nt have sex "ith an/bo#/,% Bra# sai#. $.n#era'e or not.% $Ive revie"e# /our file an# the police reports,% +ohnson sai#, pullin' out a le'al pa#. $I thin& "e have several avenues for /our #efense.%

$What about the 'irl?% $She is not available9 she left the countr/. 0er mother is ill in the -hilippines. But I am tol# she "ill return for the trial.% $I thou'ht there "asnt 'oin' to be a trial,% Bra# sai#. The "aitress came over. 0e "ave# her a"a/. $Wh/ are "e meetin' here?% $I have to be in court in Van Nu/s at ten. I thou'ht this "oul# be convenient.% Bra# loo&e# aroun# uneasil/. $-lace is full of people. )ctors. The/ tal& a lot.% $We "ont #iscuss the #etails of the case,% +ohnson sai#. $But I "ant to la/ out the structure of /our #efense. In /our case, I am proposin' a 'enetic #efense.% $!enetic #efense? Whats that mean?% $-eople "ith various 'enetic abnormalities fin# themselves helpless to suppress certain impulses,% +ohnson sai#. $That ma&es them, in technical terms, not 'uilt/. We "ill be proposin' that as the explanation in /our case.% $What 'enetic #isor#er? I #ont have an/ 'enetic #isor#er.% $0e/, its not a ba# thin',% +ohnson sai#. $Thin& of it as a t/pe of #iabetes. ;oure not responsible for it. ;ou "ere born that "a/. In /our case, /ou have an irresistible impulse to en'a'e in sex "ith attractive /oun' "omen.% 0e smile#. $Its an impulse thats share# b/ about ninet/ percent of the a#ult male population.% $What &in# of a fuc&in' #efense is that?% Bra# !or#on sai#. $) ver/ effective one.% +ohnson shuffle# throu'h papers in a fol#er. $There have been several recent ne"spaper reports% $;ou mean to tell me,% Bra# sai#, $that theres a 'ene for sex "ith /oun' 'irls?% +ohnson si'he#. $I "ish it "ere that simple. .nfortunatel/, no.% $Then "hats the #efense?% $BFB .% $Which is?% $Its calle# the novelt/ 'ene. Its the 'ene that #rives us to ta&e ris&s, en'a'e in thrill,see&in' behavior. We "ill ar'ue that the novelt/ 'ene insi#e /our bo#/ #rove /ou to ris&/ behavior.%

$Soun#s li&e bullshit to me.% $Is it? (ets see. Ever @ump out of an airplane?% $;eah, in the arm/. 0ate# it.% $Scuba #ivin'?% $3ouple of times. 0a# a hot 'irlfrien# "ho li&e# it.% $*ountain climbin'?% $Nope.% $ eall/? Bi#nt /our hi'h school class climb *ount ainer?% $;eah, but that "as% $;ou climbe# a ma@or )merican pea&,% +ohnson sai#, no##in'. $Brivin' sports cars fast?% $Not reall/, no.% $;ou have five tic&ets for spee#in' in /our -orsche in the last three /ears. .n#er 3alifornia la", /ou have been at ris& for losin' /our license all that time.% $+ust normal spee#in'C% $I thin& not. 0o" about sex "ith the bosss 'irlfrien#?% $WellC% $)n# sex "ith the bosss "ife?% $+ust once, a couple of @obs bac&. But she "as the one "ho came on to% $Those are ris&/ sex partners, *r. !or#on. )n/ @ur/ "oul# a'ree. 0o" about unprotecte# sex? Venereal #iseases?% $+ust a minute, here,% Bra# sai#, $I #ont "ant to 'et into% $Im sure /ou #ont,% +ohnson sai#, $an# thats not surprisin', consi#erin' three cases ofpe#iculosis pubis crabs. T"o episo#es of 'onorrhea, one of chlam/#ia, t"o episo#es of con#/lomaor 'enital "artsinclu#in'Chmm, one near the anus. )n# thats @ust the last five /ears, accor#in' to the recor#s of /our #octor in Southern 3alifornia.%

$0o"# /ou 'et those?% +ohnson shru''e#. $S&/ #ivin', scuba #ivin', mountain climbin', rec&less #rivin', hi'h,ris& sex partners, unprotecte# sex. If that #oesnt comprise a pattern of hi'h,ris&, thrill,see&in' behavior, I #ont &no" "hat #oes.%

Bra# !or#on"as silent. 0e ha# to a#mit the little 'u/ &ne" ho" to ma&e a case. 0e# never thou'ht of his life that "a/ before. (i&e "hen he "as scre"in' the bosss "ife, his uncle @ust 'ave him hell about it. Wh/, his uncle ha# sai#, #i# /ou ma&e that &in# of fuc&e#,up #ecision? <eep it in /our pants, @er&off7 Bra# ha# ha# no ans"er at the time. .n#er his uncles 'lare, his actions #i# seem prett/ stupi#. The broa# "asnt even that 'oo#,loo&in'. But no" it seeme# Bra# ha# an ans"er to his uncles =uestion> 0e coul#nt help it. It "as his 'enetic inheritance that "as controllin' his behavior. +ohnson explaine# further, 'ivin' a lot of #etail. )ccor#in' to him, Bra# "as at the merc/ of thisB FB 'ene, "hich controlle# the chemical levels in the brain. Somethin' calle# #opamine "as #rivin' Bra# to ta&e ris&s, an# to en@o/ the experience, to crave it. Brain scans an# other tests prove# that people li&e Bra# coul# not control the #esire to ta&e ris&s. $Its the novelt/ 'ene,% +ohnson sai#, $an# it has been name# b/ the most important 'eneticist in )merica, Br. obert Bellarmino. Br. Bellarmino is the bi''est 'enetics researcher at the National Institutes of 0ealth. 0e has a hu'e lab. 0e publishes fift/ papers a /ear. No @ur/ can i'nore his research.% $8&a/, so I have the 'ene. ;ou reall/ thin& this "ill "or&?% $;es, but I "ant to see some frostin' on the ca&e, before "e 'o to trial.% $*eanin' "hat?% $Before /our trial, /oure naturall/ "orrie#, stresse#.% $;eahC% $So I "ant /ou to ta&e a trip, to ta&e /our min# off thin's. I "ant /ou to travel aroun# the countr/, an# I "ant /ou to ta&e ris&s "herever /ou 'o.% +ohnson lai# it out> Spee#in' tic&ets, amusement par&s, 'ettin' into fi'hts, roller coasters, climbin' expe#itions in national par&sal"a/s ma&in' sure to 'et into an ar'ument, a #ispute about safet/, a claim that e=uipment "as fault/. )n/thin' that "oul# 'et his name recor#e# in a #ocument that coul# later be use# in trial. $Thats it,% +ohnson sai#. $!et 'oin'. Ill see /ou in a fe" "ee&s.% 0e 'ave him a sheet of paper.

$Whats this?% $) list of the bi''est roller coasters in the ..S. *a&e sure /ou visit the top three.% $3hrist. 8hioCIn#ianaCTexasC% $I #ont "ant to hear it,% +ohnson sai#. $;oure facin' t"ent/ /ears in prison, m/ frien#, "ith some bi' 'u/ "ith tattoos "hos 'oin' to be 'ivin' /ou lots "orse than anal "arts. So #o as I tell /ou. )n# leave to"n to#a/.%

Bac& in hisapartment, in Sherman 8a&s, he pac&e# a ba'. The thou'ht of a bi' 'u/ "ith tattoos preoccupie# him for a moment. 0e "on#ere# if he shoul# ta&e his pistol. !oin' cross,countr/, to cra1/ places li&e 8hio"ho &ne" "hat he mi'ht come across. 0e put a box of ammo in his ba', an# his pistol "ith the le' holster. 0ea#in' for his car, Bra# foun# that he felt better about ever/thin'. It "as a sunn/ #a/, his -orsche "as spar&lin' clean, an# he ha# a plan. oa# trip7 305MM (/nn <en#all ran into the (a +olla school, arrivin' out of breath at the principals office. $I 'ot here as soon as I coul#,% she sai#. $Whats the problem?% $Its Bavi#,% the principal sai#. She "as a "oman of fort/. $The chil# /ou are home,schoolin'. ;our son +amie brou'ht him to school for the #a/.% $;es, to see ho" he #i#C% $)n# I am afrai# he #i# not #o "ell. 8n the pla/'roun#, he bit another chil#.% $8h #ear.% $0e ver/ nearl/ #re" bloo#.% $Thats terrible.% $We see this in home,schoole# chil#ren, *rs. <en#all. The/ severel/ lac& sociali1ation s&ills an# inner controls. There is no substitute for #ail/ school environment "ith peers.% $Im sorr/ this has happene#C% $;ou nee# to spea& to him,% the principal sai#. $0e is in #etention, in the next room.%

(/nn "ent into a small room. It "as fille# "ith 'reen metal filin' cabinets, stac&e# hi'h. Bave "as on a "oo#en chair, loo&in' ver/ small an# bro"n curle# up in the seat. $Bave. What happene#?% $0e hurte# +amie,% Bave sai#. $Who #i#?% $I #ont &no" his name. 0e bees in six 'ra#e.% (/nn thou'ht, sixth 'ra#e? Then it "oul# have been a much bi''er chil#. $)n# "hat happene#, Bave?% $0e push,e# +amie on the 'roun#. 0urte# him.% $)n# "hat #i# /ou #o?% $I @ump,e# on his bac&.% $Because /ou "ante# to protect +amie?% Bave no##e#. $But /ou shoul#nt bite, Bave.% $0e bite# me first.% $Bi# he? Where #i# he bite /ou?% $0ere.% Bave hel# up a stubb/, muscular fin'er. The s&in "as pale an# thic&. There mi'ht be bite mar&s, but she coul#nt be sure. $Bi# /ou tell the principal?% $Shes not "ith m/ mother.% That, (/nn &ne", "as Baves "a/ of sa/in' the principal #i#nt li&e him. ;oun' chimps inhabite# a matriarchal societ/ "here the alle'iances of females "ere ver/ important an# constantl/ trac&e#. $Bi# /ou sho" her the fin'er?% Bave shoo& his hea#. No. $Ill spea& to her,% (/nn sai#.

$Thats his stor/, is it?% the principal sai#. $Well, Im not surprise#. 0e @umpe# on the chil#s bac&. What #i# he expect "oul# happen?% $Then the other chil# #i# bite first?% $Bitin' is not allo"e#, *rs. <en#all.% $Bi# the other chil# bite him?% $0e sa/s no.% $Is the chil# in sixth 'ra#e?% $;es. In *iss :rom&ins class.% $I# li&e to spea& to him,% (/nn sai#. $We cant permit that,% the principal sai#. $0es not /our chil#.% $But hes accuse# Bave. )n# the situation is ver/ serious. If I am 'oin' to #eal correctl/ "ith Bave, I nee# to &no" "hat happene# bet"een them.% $Ive tol# /ou "hat happene#.% $;ou sa" it happen?% $No, but it "as reporte# b/ *r. )rthur, the pla/'roun# supervisor. 0e is ver/ accurate in the matter of #isputes, I can assure /ou. The point is, "e #ont allo" bitin', *rs. <en#all.% (/nn "as feelin' an invisible han# pressin' on her. The conversation ha# a #istinct uphill =ualit/. $-erhaps I shoul# tal& "ith m/ son +amie,% (/nn sai#. $+amies stor/ "ill a'ree "ith Bavi#s, Im sure. The point is, *r. )rthur sa/s that it #i#nt happen that "a/.% $The bi''er bo/ #i#nt attac& +amie first?% The principal stiffene#. $*rs. <en#all,% she sai#, $in cases of #isciplinar/ #isputes, "e can refer to a securit/ camera on the pla/'roun#. We can 'o to that if "e nee# tono" or later. But I "oul# encoura'e /ou to sta/ "ith the issue of the bitin'. Which is Bavi#. 0o"ever uncomfortable that ma/ be.% $I see,% (/nn sai#. The situation "as clear. $)ll ri'ht, I "ill #eal "ith Bave, "hen he comes

home from school.% $I thin& /ou shoul# ta&e him "ith /ou.% $I "oul# prefer he finish the #a/,% she sai#, $an# "al& home "ith +amie.% $I #ont thin&% $Bave has a problem inte'ratin' in the classroom, as /ou explaine#,% (/nn sai#. $I #ont thin& "e help his inte'ration if "e pull him out of class no". I "ill #eal "ith him "hen he comes home.% The principal no##e# reluctantl/. $WellC% $I "ill spea& to him no",% (/nn sai#, $an# tell him hell sta/ here for the rest of the #a/.% 305M6 )lex Burnet @umpe# out of the cab an# ran to"ar# the school. When she sa" the ambulance, her heart be'an to poun#. ) fe" minutes before, she ha# been "ith a client"ho "as sobbin'"hen the receptionist bu11e# to sa/ that +amies teacher ha# calle#. Somethin' about a #octors visit for her son. The stor/ "as 'arble#, but )lex #i#nt "ait. She han#e# the client a box of <leenex an# ran. She# @umpe# in a cab #o"nstairs an# tol# the 'u/ to run stopli'hts. The ambulance "as at the curb, #oors open, a "hite,coate# #octor "aitin' in the bac&she "ante# to scream. She ha# never felt li&e this before. The "orl# "as 'reenish,"hite9 she "as sic& "ith fear. She ran past the ambulance an# into the school court/ar#. The mother at the front #es& sai#, $3an I help% but )lex &ne" "here +amies classroom "as, on the 'roun# floor, at the rear court/ar#. She hea#e# strai'ht to"ar# it. 0er cell phone ran'. It "as +amies teacher, *iss 0ollo"a/. $That "oman is "aitin' outsi#e the class,% she "hispere#. $She 'ave me a letter "ith /our phone number on it, but I #i#nt trust that. I use# the number "e ha# on /our school file an# calle# thatC% $!oo# "or&,% )lex sai#. $Im almost there.% $Shes outsi#e.% )lex came aroun# the corner an# sa" a "oman in a blue suit, stan#in' outsi#e the classroom. )lex "ent ri'ht up to her. $)n# "ho the hell are /ou?% The "oman smile# calml/, hel# out her han#. $0i, *s. Burnet. 3ase/ o'ers, Im sorr/ /ou ha# to come all this "a/.%

She "as so eas/, so relaxe#, )lex "as #isarme#. She put her han#s on her hips, breathin' #eepl/, catchin' her breath. $What seems to be the problem, 3ase/?% $There isnt an/ problem, *s. Burnet.% $;ou "or& in m/ office?% $!osh no. I "or& in Br. 0u'hess office. Br. 0u'hes "ante# me to pic& up +amie an# brin' him in for his tetanus shot. Its not an emer'enc/, but it #oes nee# to be #one. 0e cut his an&le a "ee& a'o, isnt that ri'ht?% $NoC% $No? Well, I cant ima'ineCBo /ou suppose I "as sent for the "ron' chil#? (et me call Br. 0u'hesC% She too& out her cell phone. $;es, #o that.% Insi#e the classroom, the &i#s "ere loo&in' at them throu'h the 'lass. She "ave# to +amie, "ho smile# bac&. $-erhaps "e shoul# move a"a/,% 3ase/ o'ers sai#. $Not #isrupt them.% Then into the phone> $Br. 0u'hes, please. ;es. Its 3ase/.% To'ether, the/ "al&e# bac& to"ar# the school entrance. Throu'h the entr/ arch, )lex sa" the ambulance. )lex sai#, $Bi# /ou brin' an ambulance?% $!osh, no. I have no i#ea "h/ its here.% She pointe# to the "in#shiel#. $(oo&s li&e the #river is eatin' lunch.% Throu'h the "in#shiel#, )lex sa" a burl/ man "ith a blac& 'oatee munchin' on a submarine san#"ich. 0a# he stoppe# b/ the school @ust to eat lunch? Somethin' about that #i#nt seem ri'ht. She coul#nt put her fin'er on it. $Br. 0u'hes? Its 3ase/. ;es, Im "ith *s. Burnet ri'ht no", an# she sa/s her son +amie #i# not cut his foot.% $0e #i# not,% )lex repeate#. The/ "al&e# throu'h the arch an# outsi#e, movin' closer to the ambulance. The #river put his san#"ich on the #ashboar# an# opene# the #oor on the #rivers si#e. 0e "as 'ettin' out. $;es, Br. 0u'hes,% 3ase/ sai#, $"ere leavin' the school ri'ht no".% She hel# the phone out to )lex. $Woul# /ou li&e to spea& to Br. 0u'hes?% $;es,% )lex sai#. )s she put the phone to her ear, she hear# a piercin' electronic shrie&it #isoriente# hershe #roppe# the phone as 3ase/ o'ers 'rabbe# her elbo"s an# /an&e# her

arms bac&. The #river "as comin' aroun# the front of the ambulance to"ar# her. $We #ont nee# the &i#,% the #river sai#. $Shell #o fine.% It too& a moment before she put it to'ether> the/ "ere &i#nappin' her. What happene# next "as instinct. She slamme# her hea# strai'ht bac&, hittin' 3ase/ in the nose. 3ase/ screame# an# let 'o. Bloo# 'ushe# #o"n from her nose. )lex 'rabbe# 3ase/s arm an# s"un' her for"ar#, thro"in' her at the bi' man. 0e si#esteppe# 'racefull/ as 3ase/ hit the concrete an# rolle#, ho"lin' in pain. )lex fumble# in her poc&et. $!et bac&,% she "arne# him. $Were not 'oin' to hurt /ou, *s. Burnet,% the man sai#. 0e "as a 'oo# hea# an# a half taller than she, an# bi', muscular. +ust as he reache# for her, she 'ot her fin'er on the button an# spra/e# pepper in his face. $Shit7 !o##amn it7% 0e thre" his arm up to protect his e/es, an# half turne# a"a/ from her. She &ne" that "as her one chanceshe &ic&e# up, fast an# har#, hittin' him in the throat "ith her hi'h heel. 0e /elle# in a'on/, an# she fell bac&"ar# on the si#e"al&, unable to &eep her balance. She scramble# bac& to her feet imme#iatel/. The "oman "as 'ettin' to her feet, her bloo# pourin' onto the si#e"al&. She i'nore# )lex an# "ent to comfort the bi' man, "ho "as leanin' a'ainst the ambulance, bent over, clutchin' his throat, moanin' in pain. )lex hear# #istant sirenssomeone ha# calle# the policean# no" the "oman "as helpin' the bi' man into the ambulance, puttin' him in the passen'er seat. It "as happenin' fast. )lex starte# to "orr/ that these t"o "oul# 'et a"a/ before the cops sho"e# up. But there "asnt much she coul# #o. )s the "oman climbe# into the ambulance she screame# at )lex, $Well arrest /ou /et7% $;oull "hat?% )lex sai#. The unrealit/ of this "hole inci#ent "as startin' to hit her.$;oull "hat?% $Well be bac&, bitch7% the "oman screame#, startin' the en'ine. $;ou "ont 'et a"a/7% The re# flasher came on "ith the siren. She put the ambulance in 'ear. $:or "hat?% )lex /elle# a'ain. )ll she coul# thin& "as that this entire business ha# been some #rea#ful mista&e. But Vern 0u'hes"as her #octor. The/ ha# use# her correct name. The/ ha# come for +amieC No. It "as not a mista&e. $Well arrest /ou /et7% What coul# that mean? She turne#, an# hurrie# bac& into the school. 0er one thou'ht no" "as +amie.

It "as snac& time.The &i#s "ere all sittin' at their tables, eatin' pieces of cut fruit. Some ha# /o'urt. The/ "ere =uite nois/. *iss 0ollo"a/ 'ave her the paper the "oman ha# brou'ht. It appeare# to be a Jerox of stationer/ from )lexs la" firm, si'ne# b/ her. It "asnt a note from the #octors office. That meant that the "oman in the blue suit "as a cool operator. When cau'ht, she instantl/ chan'e# her stor/. Smilin', sha&in' han#s "ith )lex. Smoothl/ fin#in' an excuse for the t"o of them to "al& bac& outsi#eC8fferin' her the phone so that "hen she too& itC We #ont nee# the &i#, shell #o fine. The/ ha# come to &i#nap +amie. But the/ "ere rea#/ to &i#nap her, instea#. Wh/? ansom? She ha# no mone/ to spea& of. Was it some la"suit she "as involve# in? She# ha# #an'erous la"suits in the past, but there "asnt an/thin' pen#in' at the moment. Shell #o fine. Either her son or her. *iss 0ollo"a/ sai#, $Is there an/thin' I shoul# &no"? 8r the school shoul# &no"?% $No,% )lex sai#. $But Im 'oin' to ta&e +amie home.% $The/ve almost finishe# their snac&.% )lex no##e# to +amie, "ave# for him to come over. 0e came reluctantl/. $What is it, *om?% he sai#. $We nee# to 'o.% $I "ant to sta/ here.% )lex si'he#. 3ontrar/ as ever. $+amieC% she be'an. $I misse# a lot cause I "as sic&. )s& *iss 0ollo"a/. )n# I #i#nt 'et to see m/ frien#s. I "ant to sta/. )n# "e have hot #o's for lunch.% $Im sorr/,% she sai#. $!o to /our cubb/ an# 'et /our stuff. We have to leave.%

In front ofthe school, t"o police cars an# four police officers "ere examinin' the pavement. 8ne of them sai#, $)re /ou *s. Burnet?%

$;es, I am.% $We have a report from a "oman in the principals office "ho sa" the "hole thin',% the policeman sai#, pointin' to a nearb/ "in#o". $But theres a lot of bloo# here, *s. Burnet.% $;es, the "oman hurt her nose "hen she fell.% $)re /ou #ivorce#, *s. Burnet?% $;es, I am.% $:or ho" lon'?% $:ive /ears.% $So it is not recent.% $Not at all.% $;our relations "ith /our exC% $Ver/ cor#ial.% She tal&e# to the police for a fe" minutes more, "hile +amie "aite# impatientl/. The police seeme# to )lex to be o##l/ reluctant to become involve#9 the/ "ere #etache#, an# seeme# to feel the/ ha# come upon a private matter, li&e a #omestic #ispute. $)re /ou filin' a complaint?% $I "oul#,% )lex sai#, $but I have to ta&e m/ son home no".% $We can 'ive /ou the paper"or& to ta&e home.% $That "ill be fine,% she sai#. 8ne of the cops 'ave her a business car# an# sai# to call if there "as an/thin' further she nee#e#. She sai# she "oul#. Then she an# +amie starte# home.

8ut on the street,the "orl# aroun# her su##enl/ seeme# entirel/ #ifferent. Nothin' coul# be more cheerfull/ blan# than the sunli'ht of Beverl/ 0ills. But no", )lex sa" onl/ menace. She #i#nt &no" "here that menace "as comin' from, or "h/. She hel# +amies han#. $)re "e"al&in' home?% he sai#, si'hin'.

$;es, "ere "al&in'.% But even as he as&e#, she starte# to "on#er. The/ live# onl/ a fe" bloc&s from the school. But "as it safe to 'o home? Woul# those people "ith the ambulance be "aitin'? 8r "oul# the/ hi#e themselves better the next time? $Its too far to "al&.% +amie tru#'e# alon'. $)n# too hot.% $Were "al&in'. )n# thats all there is to it.% )s the/ "al&e#, she flippe# open her cell an# #iale# the office. 0er assistant, )m/, ans"ere#. $(isten, I "ant /ou to chec& recent count/ filin's. :in# out if m/ name comes up as a #efen#ant an/"here.% $Is there somethin' I nee# to &no"?% )m/ as&e#, lau'hin'. But it "as a nervous lau'h. Wron'#oin' b/ an attorne/ mi'ht lan# their assistants in @ail. It ha# happene# a couple of times recentl/. $No,% )lex sai#. $But I thin& I have bount/ hunters chasin' me.% $;ou @ump bail an/"here?% $No,% )lex sai#. $Thats the point. I #ont &no" "hat these people thin& the/ are #oin'.% The assistant sai# she "oul# chec&. +amie, "al&in' alon'si#e )lex, sai#, $Whats a bo"ie hunter? Wh/ is she chasin' /ou, *om?% $Im tr/in' to fin# out, +amie. I thin& its a mista&e.% $Were the/ tr/in' tohurt /ou?% $No, no. Nothin' li&e that.% There "as no reason to ma&e him "orr/. The assistant calle# bac&. $8&a/, /ou #o have a complaint, all ri'ht. In Superior 3ourt, Ventura 3ount/.% That "as a 'oo# hour from (os )n'eles, up past 8xnar#. $Whats the complaint?% $It "as file# b/ Bio!en esearch Incorporate# of Westvie" Villa'e. I cant rea# the complaint online. But /oure sho"in' up as a failure to appear.% $)ppear "hen?% $;ester#a/.% $Was I serve#?%

$In#icates /ou "ere.% $I "asnt,% )lex sai#. $Sho"s /ou "ere.% $So, is there a contempt citation? ) "arrant for m/ arrest?% $Nothin's sho"in'. But the online la's up to a #a/, so there mi'ht be.% )lex flippe# the phone shut. +amie sai#, $)re /ou 'oin' to be arreste#?% $No, hone/. Im not.% $Then can I 'o bac& to school after lunch?% $Well see.%

0er apartment buil#in',on the north si#e of oxbur/ -ar&, loo&e# =uiet in the mi##a/ sun. )lex stoo# on the other si#e of the par& an# "atche# for a "hile. $Wh/ are "e "aitin'?% +amie sai#. $+ust for a minute.% $Its been a minute alrea#/.% $No, it hasnt.% She "as "atchin' the man in coveralls, 'oin' aroun# the si#e of the house. 0e loo&e# li&e the meter rea#er for the utilit/ compan/. Except that he "as bi', "ith a ba# "i' an# a trimme# blac& 'oatee that she ha# seen some"here before. )n# the meter rea#ers never came to the front. The/ al"a/s entere# from the bac& alle/. She "as thin&in' that if this 'u/ "as a bount/ hunter, he ha# the ri'ht to enter her propert/ "ithout "arnin' an# "ithout a "arrant. 0e coul# brea& #o"n the #oor, if he "ante# to. 0e ha# the ri'ht to search her apartment, to 'o throu'h her thin's, to ta&e her computer an# inspect the har# #rive. 0e coul# #o "hatever he "ante# to #o to apprehen# a fu'itive. But she "asnt a $3an "e 'o in, *om?% +amie "hine#. $-lease?%

0er son "as ri'ht about one thin'. The/ coul#nt @ust stan# there. There "as a san#box in the mi##le of the par&, several &i#s, mai#s, an# mothers sittin' aroun#. $(ets 'o pla/ in the san#box.% $I #ont "ant to.% $;es.% $Its for babies.% $+ust for a "hile, +ames.% 0e stampe# his foot, an# sat #o"n on the e#'e of the san#box. 0e &ic&e# san# irritabl/ "hile )lex #iale# her assistant. $)m/, I am "on#erin' about Bio!en, the compan/ that bou'ht m/ fathers cell line. We #ont have an/ motions pen#in', #o "e?% $No. 3alifornia Supreme 3ourt is a /ear from no".% So "hats 'oin' on?she "on#ere#. What &in# of suit "as Bio!en brin'in' no"? $3all the @u#'es cler& up in Ventura. :in# out "hat this is about.% $8&a/.% $0ave "e hear# from m/ father?% $Not for a "hile.% $8&a/.% It actuall/ "asnt o&a/, because she "as no" havin' the stron' feelin' that all this ha# to #o "ith her father. 8r at least "ith her fathers cells. The bount/ hunters ha# brou'ht an ambulance"ith a #octor in the bac&because the/ "ere 'oin' to ta&e a sample, or #o some sur'ical proce#ure. (on' nee#les. She# seen sunli'ht 'lint on lon' nee#les "rappe# in plastic, as the #octor at the bac& of the ambulance shuffle# thin's about. Then it hit her>The/ "ante# to ta&e their cells . The/ "ante# cells from her, or from her son. She coul#nt ima'ine "h/. But the/ clearl/ felt entitle# to ta&e them. Shoul# she call the police? Not /et, she #eci#e#. If there "ere a "arrant for her failure to appear, the/# simpl/ ta&e her into custo#/. )n# then "hat "oul# she #o about +amie? She shoo& her hea#. i'ht no", she nee#e# time to fi'ure out "hat "as 'oin' on. Time to 'et ever/thin' strai'htene# out. What "as she suppose# to #o? She "ante# to call her father, but he ha#nt been ans"erin' for #a/s. If these 'u/s &ne" "here she live#, the/ "oul# &no" "hat &in# of car she ha#, an#

$)m/,% she sai#, $ho"# /ou li&e to #rive m/ car for a couple of #a/s?% $The B*W? Sure. But% $)n# Ill #rive /ours,% )lex sai#. $But /ou nee# to brin' it over to me. Stop that, +amie. Stop &ic&in' san#.% $)re /ou sure? Its a To/ota "ith a bunch of #ents.% $)ctuall/, that soun#s perfect. 3ome to the south"est si#e of oxbur/ -ar&, an# pull over in front of a "hite Spanish apartment buil#in' "ith "rou'ht,iron 'ates in front.%

)lex "as unprepare#b/ temperament an# trainin' for the situation in "hich she no" foun# herself. )ll her life ha# been spent in the sunli'ht. She obe/e# the rules. She "as an officer of the court. She pla/e# the 'ame. She #i#nt run /ello" li'hts9 she #i#nt par& in the re#9 she #i#nt cheat on her taxes. )t the firm, she "as re'ar#e# as b/,the,boo&, sto#'/. She tol# clients, $ ules are ma#e to be follo"e#, not t"iste#.% )n# she meant it. :ive /ears earlier, "hen she #iscovere# her husban# "as scre"in' aroun# on her, she thre" him out "ithin an hour of learnin' the truth. She pac&e# his ba' an# put it outsi#e the #oor, an# ha# the loc&s chan'e#. When he came bac& from his $fishin' trip,% she spo&e throu'h the #oor an# tol# him to 'et lost. *att "as actuall/ scre"in' one of her best frien#sthat "as *atts "a/ an# she never a'ain spo&e to that "oman. 8f course, +amie ha# to see his father, an# she ma#e sure that happene#. She #elivere# her son to *att at the appointe# time, on the #ot. Not that he ever returne# her son on time. But it "as )lexs vie" that the "orl# stabili1e# one person at a time. If she #i# her part, she felt eventuall/ others mi'ht #o theirs. )t "or& she "as calle# i#ealistic, impractical, unrealistic. She respon#e# that in la"/er, spea&,realistic "as another "or# for#ishonest. She stuc& to her 'uns. But it "as true that sometimes she felt she limite# herself to the &in#s of cases that #i# not challen'e her illusions. The hea# of the firm, obert ). <och, ha# sai# as much. $;oure li&e a conscientious ob@ector, )lex. ;ou let other people #o the fi'htin'. But sometimes "e have to fi'ht. Sometimes, "e cant avoi# conflict.% <och "as an ex,*arine, li&e her father. Same &in# of rou'h,an#,tumble tal&. -rou# of it. She# al"a/s shru''e# it off. No" she "asnt shru''in' an/thin' off. She #i#nt &no" "hat "as 'oin' on, but she felt prett/ sure she coul#nt @ust tal& her "a/ out of it. She "as also sure nobo#/ "as 'oin' to stic& a nee#le into her, or her son. To prevent that, she "oul# #o "hatever ha# to be #one.

Whateverha# to be #one. She repla/e# in her min# the inci#ent at the school. She ha#nt ha# a 'un. She #i#nt o"n a 'un. But she "ishe# she ha# ha# one. She thou'ht,If the/ "ere tr/in' to #o somethin' to m/ son, coul# I have &ille# them? )n# she thou'ht,;es. I coul# have &ille# them . )n# she &ne" it "as true.

) "hiteTo/ota 0i'hlan#er "ith a battere# front bumper pulle# up. She sa" )m/ sittin' in the car. )lex sai#, $+amie? (ets 'o.% $:inall/7% 0e starte# to"ar# their apartment, but she steere# him in another #irection. $Wherere "e 'oin'?% $Were ta&in' a little trip,% she sai#. $Where?% 0e "as suspicious. $I #ont "ant to ta&e a trip.% Without hesitation, she sai#, $Ill bu/ /ou a -S-.% She ha# stea#fastl/ refuse# for a /ear to bu/ him one of those electronic 'ame thin's. But no" she "as @ust sa/in' "hatever came to min#. $:or real? 0e/, than&s7% *ore fro"ns. $But "hich 'ames? I "ant Ton/ 0a"& Three, an# I "ant Shre&% $Whatever /ou "ant,% she sai#. $(ets @ust 'et in the car. Were 'oin' to #rive )m/ bac& to "or&.% $)n# then? Where are "e 'oin' then?% $(e'olan#,% she sai#. The first thin' that came into her min#.

Brivin' bac&to the office, )m/ sai#, $I brou'ht /our fathers pac&a'e. I thou'ht /ou mi'ht "ant it.%

$What pac&a'e? $It came to the office last "ee&. ;ou never opene# it. ;ou "ere at trial "ith the *ic& 3ro"le/ rape case. ;ou remember, that political reporter "ho li&es little bo/s.% It "as a small :e#Ex box. )lex tore it open, #umpe# the contents on her lap. ) cheap cellular phone, the &in# /ou bou'ht an# put a car# in. T"o prepai# telephone car#s. ) tinfoil,"rappe# pac&et of cash> five thousan# in hun#re#,#ollar bills. )n# a cr/ptic note> $In 3ase of Trouble. Bont use /our cre#it car#s. Turn off /our cell phone. Bont tell an/one "here /ou are 'oin'. Borro" somebo#/s car. -a'e me "hen /ou are in a motel. <eep +amie "ith /ou.% )lex si'he#. $That son of a bitch.% $What is it?% $Sometimes m/ father anno/s me,% she sai#. )m/ #i#nt nee# to hear #etails. $(isten, to#a/s Thurs#a/. Wh/ #ont /ou ta&e a lon' "ee&en#?% $Thats "hat m/ bo/frien# "ants to #o,% she sai#. $0e "ants to 'o to -ebble Beach an# "atch the ol# car para#e.% $Thats a 'reat i#ea,% )lex sai#. $Ta&e m/ car.% $ eall/? I #ont &no"C"hat if somethin' happene# to it? I 'ot in an acci#ent or somethin'.% $Bont "orr/ about it,% )lex sai#. $+ust ta&e the car.% )m/ fro"ne#. There "as a lon' silence. $Is it safe?% $8f course its safe.% $I #ont &no" "hat /oure involve# in,% she sai#. $Its nothin'. Its a mista&en,i#entit/ thin'. Itll be "or&e# out b/ *on#a/, I promise /ou. Brin' the car bac& Sun#a/ ni'ht, an# Ill see /ou in the office *on#a/.% $:or sure?% $)bsolutel/.%

)m/ sai#, $3an m/ bo/frien# #rive?% $)bsolutel/.% 305MV !eor'ia Bellarmino"oul# never have &no"n, if it ha#nt been for the cereal box. !eor'ia "as on the phone "ith a client in Ne" ;or&, an investment ban&er "ho ha# @ust 'otten a B8E appointment9 the/ "ere tal&in' about the house he "as bu/in' for his famil/ move to oc&ville, *ar/lan#. !eor'ia, "ho "as Best,Sellin' ealtor of the ;ear in oc&ville for three /ears runnin', "as bus/ 'oin' over the terms of the purchase "hen her sixteen,/ear,ol# #au'hter, +ennifer, calle# from the &itchen, $*om, Im late for school. Wheres the cereal?% $8n the &itchen table.% $No, its not.% $(oo& a'ain.% $*om, its empt/7 +imm/ must have eaten it.% *rs. Bellarmino covere# the phone "ith her han#. $Then 'et another box, +en,% she sai#. $;oure sixteen9 /oure not helpless.% $Where is it?% +ennifer sai#. Ban'in' #oors in the &itchen. $(oo& above the oven,% *rs. Bellarmino sai#. $I #i#. Its not there.% *rs. Bellarmino tol# the client she# call bac&, an# "al&e# into the &itchen. 0er #au'hter "as "earin' lo",cut @eans an# a sheer top that loo&e# li&e somethin' a hoo&er "oul# "ear to "or&. These #a/s, even @unior hi'h 'irls #resse# that "a/. She si'he#. $(oo& above the oven, +en.% $I tol# /ou. I #i#.% $(oo& a'ain.% $*om, "ill /ou @ust 'et it for me? Im late.% *rs. Bellarmino stoo# firm. $)bove the oven.%

+ennifer reache# up, openin' the #oors, stretchin' for the cereal box, "hich "as ri'ht there, of course. But *rs. Bellarmino "as not loo&in' at the box. She "as loo&in' at her #au'hters expose# stomach. $+enC/ou have those bruises a'ain.% 0er #au'hter brou'ht the box #o"n, tu''e# at her top, coverin' her bell/. $Its nothin'.% $;ou ha# them the other #a/, too.% $*om, Im late.% She "as "al&in' to the table, sittin' #o"n. $+ennifer.Sho" me. % With an exasperate# si'h, her #au'hter stoo# an# lifte# her top, exposin' her ab#omen. *rs. Bellarmino sa" an inch,lon' hori1ontal bruise @ust above the bi&ini line. )n# another one, fainter, on the other si#e of the bell/. $Its nothin', *om. I @ust &eep ban'in' into the e#'e of the #es&.% $But /ou shoul#nt bruiseC% $Its nothin'.% $)re /ou ta&in' /our vitamins?% $*om? 3an I please @ust eat?% $;ou &no" /ou can tell me an/thin', /ou &no" that% $*om, /oure ma&in' me late for school7 I have a :rench test7% There "as no point in pushin' her no". In an/ case, the phone ha# starte# rin'in'no #oubt the Ne" ;or& client telephonin' bac&. 3lients "ere impatient. The/ expecte# realtors to be available ever/ minute of the #a/. She "ent into the other room to ta&e the call an# opene# her #ocuments to revie" the numbers. :ive minutes later, her #au'hter /elle#, $B/e, *om7% an# !eor'ia hear# the front #oor slam. It left her #istinctl/ uneas/. She @ust ha# afeelin' . She #iale# her husban#s lab in Bethes#a. :or once ob "as not in meetin's, an# she "as put ri'ht throu'h. She tol# him the stor/. $What #o /ou thin& "e shoul# #o?% she as&e#.

$Search her room,% he sai# promptl/. $We have an obli'ation.% $8&a/,% she sai#. $Ill call the office an# tell them Ill be late.% $Im fl/in' later,% he sai#, $but let me &no".% 305MG Barton WilliamssBoein' VKV rolle# to a stop at the 0op&ins private terminal in 3levelan#, 8hio, an# the "hine of the en'ines "oun# #o"n. The interior of the aircraft "as luxuriousl/ appointe#. There "ere t"o be#rooms, t"o full baths "ith sho"ers, an# a #inin' room seatin' ei'ht. But the master be#room, "hich too& up the entire rear thir# of the plane, "ith a &in',si1e be# an# a fur thro" an# moo# li'htin', "as "here Barton spent most of the fli'ht. 0e nee#e# onl/ one fli'ht atten#ant, but he invariabl/ fle" "ith three. 0e li&e# compan/. 0e li&e# lau'hter an# chatter. 0e li&e# /oun', smooth flesh on the fur, "ith the moo# li'htin' lo", "arm, re##ish, sensual. )n#, hell, fort/ thousan# feet up in the air "as the onl/ place he coul# be sure he "as safe from the "ife. The thou'ht of the "ife #ampene# his moo#. 0e loo&e# at the parrot stan#in' on the perch in the livin' room of the plane. The parrot sai#, $;ou &i#nappe# me.% $Whats /our name a'ain?% Barton sai#. $ ile/. Bo'house ile/.% Spea&in' in a funn/ voice. $Bont be smart "ith me.% $*/ name is !erar#.% $Thats ri'ht. !erar#. I #ont much li&e it. Soun#s forei'n. 0o" about +err/? That suit /ou?% $No,% the parrot sai#. $It #oesnt.% $Wh/ not?% $Its stupi#. Its a stupi# i#ea.% There "as an uncomfortable silence. $Is it reall/?% Barton Williams sai#, "ith a hint of menace in his voice. Williams &ne" this "as a mere animal, but he "as not accustome# to bein' calle# stupi#especiall/ b/ a bir#an# no one ha# #one so in man/, man/ /ears. 0e felt his enthusiasm for this 'ift coolin'. $+err/,% he sai#, $/ou better be 'ettin' alon' "ith me, because I o"n /ou no".% $-eople cant be o"ne#.%

$)n# /ou aint people, +err/. ;oure a #amn bir#.% Barton steppe# close to the perch. $No", let me tell /ou ho" its 'oin' to be. Im 'oin' to 'ive /ou to m/ "ife, an# I "ant /ou to behave, I "ant /ou to be amusin', I "ant /ou to compliment an# flatter her an# ma&e her feel 'oo#. Is that clear?% $Ever/one else #oes,% !erar# sai#. 0e "as mimic&in' the voice of the pilot, "ho hear# it from the coc&pit an# snappe# his hea# aroun# to loo& bac&. $+esus, I 'et sic& of the ol# fart sometimes,% !erar# continue#. Barton Williams fro"ne#. Next he hear# a precise imitation of the soun# of @et en'ines in fli'ht, an# superimpose# on that, a 'irls voice, one of the fli'ht atten#ants> $+enn/, are /ou 'oin' to blo" him or am I?% $;our turn.% Si'h. $8h,&a/C% $Bont for'et to ta&e him his #rin&.% 3lic& of a #oor openin' an# closin'. Barton Williams be'an to turn re#. The bir# continue#> $8h, Barton7 8h, 'ive it to me7 8h, /oure so bi'7 8h Barton7 ;es, bab/. ;es, bi' bo/7 8oh I love it7 So bi', so bi', aaaaaah7% Barton Williams stare# at the bir#. $I believe,% he sai#, $that /ou "ill not be a "elcome a##ition to m/ househol#.% $;oure the reason our &i#s are u'l/, little #arlin,% !erar# sai#. $Thats enou'h from /ou,% Barton sai#, turnin' a"a/. $8h Barton7 8h, 'ive it to me7 8h, /oure so bi'7 8h% Barton Williams thre" the cover over the bir#s ca'e.

$+enn/, hone/,/ouve 'ot famil/ in Ba/ton, #ont /ou?% $;es, *r. Williams.% $;ou thin& an/bo#/ in /our famil/ "oul# en@o/ a tal&in' bir#?%

$.h, "ell, actuall//es, *r. Williams, Im sure the/ "oul# love it.% $!oo#, 'oo#. I "oul# appreciate it if /ou #elivere# him #o"n there to#a/.% $8f course, *r. Williams.% $)n# if b/ some chance,% he sai#, $/our famil/ is not appreciative of feathere# companions, @ust have them tie ver/ heav/ "ei'hts to his le's an# #rop him in the river. Because I never "ant to see this bir# a'ain.% $;es, *r. Williams.% $I hear# that,% sai# the bir#. $!oo#,% Barton Williams sai#.

)fter the ol# manslimousine ha# 'one, +enn/ stoo# on the tarmac hol#in' the covere# ca'e. $What am I 'oin' to #o "ith this thin'?% she sai#. $*/ #a##/ hates bir#s. 0e shoots em.% $Ta&e him to a pet store,% the pilot sai#. $8r 'ive him to somebo#/ "holl ship him to .tah, or *exico, or someplace li&e that.%

efreshin' -a"s"as an upscale store in Sha&er 0ei'hts. There "ere mostl/ puppies in the store. The /oun' 'u/ behin# the counter "as cute, ma/be a little /oun'er than +enn/ "as. 0e ha# a 'oo# bo#/. She "al&e# in carr/in' !erar# in his covere# ca'e. $;ou 'ot an/ parrots?% $No. We @ust have #o's.% 0e smile# at her. $Whatve /ou 'ot there? Im Stan.% 0is name ta' sai#ST)N *I(! )* . $0i, Stan. Im +enn/. )n# this is !erar#. 0es an )frican 're/.% $(ets have a loo& at him,% Stan sai#. $;ou "ant to sell him, or "hat?% $8r 'ive him a"a/.% $Wh/? Whats the matter?% $8"ner #oesnt li&e him.% +enn/ "hippe# off the cover. !erar# blin&e#, flappe# his feathers. $Ive been &i#nappe#,% he sai#.

$0e/,% Stan sai#, $he tal&s prett/ 'oo#.% $8h, hes a 'oo# tal&er,% +enn/ sai#. $8h, hes a 'oo# tal&er,% !erar# sai#, mimic&in' her voice. Then> $Stop patroni1in' me.% Stan fro"ne#. $Whats he mean?% $I am surroun#e# b/ fools,% !erar# sai#. $0e @ust tal&s a lot,% +enn/ sai#, shru''in'. $Is there an/thin' "ron' "ith him?% $No, nothin'.% !erar# turne# to Stan. $I tol# /ou,% he sai#, emphaticall/. $Ive been &i#nappe#. She is involve#. She is one of the &i#nappers.% $Is he stolen?% Stan as&e#. $Not stolen,% !erar# sai#.$<i#nappe#.% $What &in# of accent is that?% Stan as&e#. 0e "as smilin' at +enn/. She turne# si#e"a/s, to sho" him her breasts in profile. $:rench.% $0e soun#s British.% $0e came from :rance, is all I &no".% $8oh la la,% !erar# sai#. $Will /ou please listen to me?% $0e thin&s hes a person,% +enn/ sai#. $Iam a person, /ou little t"it,% !erar# sai#. $)n# if /ou "ant to hump this 'u/, 'o on an# #o it. +ust #ont ma&e me "ait aroun# "hile /ou "i''le /our assets in front of him.% +enn/ turne# re#. The &i# loo&e# a"a/, then smile# bac& at her. $0es 'ot a mouth on him,% +enn/ sai#, still blushin'. $Boes he ever s"ear?%

$I never hear# him #o that, no.% $3ause I &no" someone "ho mi'ht li&e him,% Stan sai#, $as lon' as he #oesnt s"ear.% $What #o /ou mean, someone?% $*/ aunt, out in 3alifornia. Shes in *ission Vie@o. Thats 8ran'e 3ount/. Shes "i#o"e#, lives alone. She li&es animals, an# shes lonel/.% $8h, o&a/. That coul# be o&a/.% $;ou are'ivin' me a"a/ ?% !erar# sai#, in a horrifie# tone. $This isslaver/ 7 I am not somethin' /ou'ive a"a/. % $I have to #rive out there,% Stan *il'ram sai#, $in a couple of #a/s. I coul# ta&e him "ith me. I &no" she# li&e him. But, uh, "hatre /ou #oin' later toni'ht?% $I coul# be free,% +enn/ sai#. 305MT The "arehouse"as locate# near the airport in *e#an. It ha# a s&/li'ht, so the li'htin' in the room "as 'oo#, an# the /oun' oran' in the ca'e appeare# health/ enou'h, bri'ht,e/e# an# alert. 0e seeme# to have recovere# completel/ from the #arts. But !orevitch pace# bac& an# forth, intensel/ frustrate#, 'lancin' at his "atch. 8n the table nearb/, his vi#eo camera la/ on its si#e, the case crac&e#, mu##/ "ater #rainin' out of it. !orevitch "oul# have ta&en it apart to #r/ it, but he lac&e# the tools. 0e lac&e#Che lac&e#C 8ff to one si#e, San'er, the net"or& representative, sai#, $What are /ou 'oin' to #o no"?% $Were "aitin' for another bloo#/ camera,% !orevitch sai#. 0e turne# to the B0( rep, a /oun' *ala/ man in a bri'ht /ello" uniform. $0o" much lon'er no"?% $The/ sai# "ithin the hour, sir.% !orevitch snorte#. $The/ sai# that t"o hours a'o.% $;es, sir. But the plane has left Be&asi an# is on its "a/ to us.% Be&asi "as on the north coast of +ava. Ei'ht hun#re# miles a"a/. $)n# the camera is on the plane?% $I believe so, /es.% !orevitch pace#, avoi#in' San'ers accusator/ stare. It "as all a come#/ of errors. In the @un'le,

!orevitch ha# "or&e# to resuscitate the ape for almost an hour before the animal sho"e# si'ns of life. Then he ha# stru''le# to bin# the animal an# tran=uili1e it a'ainnot too much this time an# then monitor the animal "ith care, to prevent the creature from 'oin' into a#renaline shoc& "hile !orevitch brou'ht him north to *e#an, the nearest bi' to"n "ith an airport. The oran' survive# the @ourne/ "ithout inci#ent, en#in' up in the "arehouse, "here he curse# li&e a Butch sailor. !orevitch notifie# San'er, "ho imme#iatel/ fle" in from Ne" ;or&. But b/ the time San'er arrive#, the ape ha# #evelope# lar/n'itis, an# no lon'er spo&e, except for a rasp/ "hisper. $What the hell 'oo# is that?% San'er sai#. $;ou cant hear him.% $It "ont matter,% !orevitch sai#. $Well tape him an# then #ub in his voice later. ;ou &no", lip,s/nch him.% $;oull #ub in his voice?% $Nobo#/ "ill &no".% $)re /ou out of /our min#?Ever/bo#/ "ill &no". Ever/ lab in the "orl# "ill 'o over this vi#eo "ith sophisticate# e=uipment. The/ll spot a #ub in five minutes.% $)ll ri'ht,% !orevitch sai#, $then "ell "ait until he 'ets better.% San'er #i#nt li&e that, either. $0e soun#s =uite ill. Bi# he catch a col# some"here?% $-ossible,% !orevitch sai#. In fact, he "as almost certain the ape ha# cau'ht his o"n col#, #urin' the mouth,to,mouth resuscitation. It "as a mil# col# for !orevitch, but appeare# to be serious for the oran', "ho "as no" bent over in spasms of cou'hin'. $0e nee#s a vet.% $3ant,% !orevitch sai#. $0es a protecte# animal, an# "e stole him, remember?% $;oustole him,% San'er sai#. $)n# if /oure not careful, /oull &ill him as "ell.% $0es /oun'. 0ell recover.% )n#, in#ee#, the follo"in' #a/, the ape "as tal&in' a'ain, but cou'hin' spasmo#icall/ an# spittin' up u'l/, /ello",'reen 'obs. !orevitch #eci#e# he# better film the animal no", so he "ent to 'et his e=uipment from the car, stumble#, an# #roppe# the camera in a mu##/ #itch. 3rac&e# the case open. )ll this not ten feet from the "arehouse #oor. )n# of course in the entire cit/ of *e#an, the/ #i# not seem to be able to la/ their han#s on a #ecent vi#eo camera. So the/ ha# ha# to fl/ one in from +ava. The/ "ere "aitin' for the camera

no", "hile the ape s"ore an# hac&e# an# cou'he# an# spat at them from insi#e his ca'e. San'er stoo# @ust out of ran'e, sha&in' his hea#. $3hrist, "hat a coc&,up.% )n# once a'ain !orevitch turne# to the *ala/ &i# an# sai#, $0o" much lon'er?% The &i# @ust shoo& his hea# an# shru''e#. )n# insi#e the ca'e, the oran' cou'he# an# s"ore. 30565 !eor'ia Bellarminoopene# the #oor to her #au'hters be#room an# be'an a s"ift examination. The room "as a mess, of course. 3rumbs in the creases of the rumple# be#covers, scratche# 3Bs on the floor, &noc&e#,over 3o&e cans beneath the be#, alon' "ith a #irt/ hairbrush, a curlin' iron, an# an empt/ tube of self,tanner. !eor'ia pulle# open the #ra"ers of the be#si#e table, revealin' a clutter of che"in','um "rappers, balle#,up un#er"ear, breath mints, mascara, photos from last /ears prom, matches, a calculator, #irt/ soc&s, ol# issues ofTeen Vo'ue an#-eople. )n# a pac& of ci'arettes, "hich #i#nt ma&e her happ/. Then to the #resser #ra"ers, rifflin' throu'h them =uic&l/, feelin' all the "a/ to the bac&9 then the closet, "hich too& her =uite a "hile. ) @umble of shoes an# snea&ers at the bottom. The cabinet un#er the bathroom sin&, an# even the #irt/ clothes hamper. She foun# nothin' to explain the bruises. 8f course, she thou'ht, there "as har#l/ an/ purpose to puttin' a hamper in the room, since +ennifer @ust #roppe# her clothes all over the bathroom floor. !eor'ia Bellarmino bent over an# pic&e# them up, not reall/ thin&in' about it. That "as "hen she notice# the strea&s on the tile floor of the bathroom. ubber strea&s. :aint. In parallel. She &ne" "hat ha# cause# those strea&s> a stepla##er. (oo&in' up at the ceilin' she sa" a panel that provi#e# an entrance to the attic. There "ere smu#'e# fin'erprints on that panel. !eor'ia "ent to 'et a stepla##er. She pushe# the panel asi#e, an# nee#les an# s/rin'es tumble# out, clatterin' onto the floor. Bear !o#,she thou'ht. She reache# up into the attic space, feelin' aroun#. 0er han# touche# a stac& of car#boar# tubes, li&e toothpaste. She brou'ht them out9 the/ all bore me#ical labels>(.- 8N, !8N)(,:, :8((ESTI*. :ertilit/ #ru's. What "as her #au'hter #oin'?

She #eci#e# not to call her husban#9 he "oul# 'et too upset. Instea#, she too& out her cell phone an# #iale# the school. 3056E In the3hica'o offices of Br. *artin Bennett, the intercom "as bu11in', but Br. Bennett pai# no attention. The biops/ report "as "orse than he ha# expecte#, much "orse. 0e ran his fin'ers alon' the e#'e of the paper, "on#erin' ho" he "oul# tell his patient. *artin Bennett "as fift/,five9 he ha# been a practicin' internist for nearl/ a thir# of a centur/, an# ha# #elivere# ba# ne"s to man/ patients in his #a/. But it never 'ot easier. Especiall/ if the/ "ere /oun', "ith /oun' chil#ren. 0e 'lance# at the pictures of his sons on his #es&. The/ "ere both in colle'e no". Ta# "as a senior at Stanfor#9 Bill "as at 3olumbia. )n# Bill "as preme#. ) &noc& on the #oor an# his nurse, Beverl/, stuc& her hea# in. $Im sorr/, Br. Bennett, but /ou "erent ans"erin' the intercom. )n# I thou'ht it "as important.% $I &no". I "as @ustCtr/in' to thin& ho" to put it.% 0e stoo# up behin# the #es&. $Ill see )n#rea no".% Beverl/ shoo& her hea#. $)n#rea hasnt arrive#,% she sai#. $Im tal&in' about the other "oman.% $What other "oman?% Beverl/ slippe# into the office an# close# the #oor behin# her. She lo"ere# her voice. $;our #au'hter,% she sai#. $What are /ou tal&in' about? I #ont have a #au'hter.% $Well, theres a /oun' "oman in the "aitin' room "ho sa/s shes /our #au'hter.% $Thats impossible,% Bennett sai#. $Who is she?% Beverl/ 'lance# at a note car#. $0er name is *urph/. She lives in Seattle. 0er mother "or&s at the universit/. Shes about t"ent/,ei'ht an# she has a to##ler "ith her, ma/be a /ear an# a half. (ittle 'irl.% $*urph/? Seattle?% Bennett "as thin&in' bac&. $T"ent/,ei'ht, /ou sa/? No, no. Impossible.% 0e ha# ha# his share of affairs in colle'e, an# even in me#ical school. But he# marrie# Emil/ almost thirt/ /ears a'o, an# since then the onl/ times he ha# been unfaithful ha# been at me#ical conferences. True, that "as at least t"ice a /ear, in 3ancbn, in S"it1erlan#, some"here exotic. But he# onl/ starte# that about ten, fifteen /ears a'o. 0e @ust #i#nt thin& it "as possible he# have a chil# that ol#.

Beverl/ sai#, $I 'uess /ou never &no" for sureCWill /ou see her?% $No.% $Ill tell her,% Beverl/ sai#. She #roppe# her voice to a "hisper. $But "e #ont "ant her ma&in' a scene in front of the patients. She seems li&e she mi'ht be a little, uh, unstable. )n# if shes not /our #au'hter, ma/be /ou shoul# set her strai'ht in private.% Bennett no##e# slo"l/. 0e #roppe# bac& into his chair. $8&a/,% he sai#. $Sho" her in.%

$Bi' surprise, huh?%The "oman stan#in' in the #oor"a/, bouncin' a chil# in her arms, "as an unattractive blon#e of me#ium hei'ht, "earin' @eans an# a T,shirt, 'run'e clothes. 0er bab/s face "as #irt/, #rippin' snot. $Sorr/ I #i#nt #ress for the occasion, but /ou &no" ho" it is.% Bennett stoo# behin# his #es&. $-lease come in, *iss, uhC% $*urph/. Eli1abeth *urph/.% She no##e# to the bab/. $This is Bess.% $Im Br. Bennett.% 0e "ave# her to the seat on the other si#e of the #es&. 0e loo&e# at her closel/ as she sat #o"n. 0e sa" no resemblance at all, not the sli'htest. 0e, himself, "as #ar&, haire#, fair,s&inne#, sli'htl/ over"ei'ht. She "as olive,complexione#, rail,thin, brittle, tense. $;eah, I &no",% she sai#. $;oure thin&in' I #ont loo& an/thin' li&e /ou. But "ith m/ natural hair color, an# more "ei'ht, /ou can see the famil/ thin'.% $Im sorr/,% Bennett sai#, sittin' #o"n, $but to be fran&, I #ont see it.% $Thats o&a/,% she sai#, shru''in'. $I fi'ure it must be a shoc& to /ou. */ sho"in' up at /our office li&e this.% $Its certainl/ a surprise.% $I "ante# to call ahea# an# "arn /ou, but then I #eci#e# I shoul# @ust come. In case /ou refuse# to see me.% $I see. *iss *urph/, "hat ma&es /ou believe /ou are m/ #au'hter?% $8h, Im /ours, all ri'ht. Theres no =uestion about it.% She "as spea&in' "ith an uncann/ confi#ence. Bennett sai#, $;our mother sa/s she &no"s me?% $No.%

$Ever met me?% $!o#, no.% 0e 'ave a si'h of relief. $Then Im afrai# I #ont un#erstan#% $Ill come ri'ht to the point. ;ou #i# /our resi#enc/ in Ballas. )t Southern *emorial.% 0e fro"ne#. $;esC% $)ll the resi#ents ha# their bloo# t/pe#, in case the/ "ere nee#e# as emer'enc/ bloo# #onors.% $That "as a lon' time a'o.% 0e "as thin&in' bac&. )bout thirt/ /ears, no". $;eah, "ell. The/ &ept the bloo#, Ba#.% )'ain, he hear# that conviction in her voice. $*eanin' "hat?% She shifte# in her seat. $;ou "ant to hol# /our 'ran##au'hter?% $Not at the moment, than& /ou.% She 'ave a croo&e# smile. $;oure not "hat I expecte#. I thou'ht a #octor "oul# be moreC s/mpathetic. The/ve 'ot more s/mpathetic people at the metha#one clinic in Bellevue.% $*iss *urph/,% he sai#, $let me% $But "hen I 'ot off the #ru's, an# I ha# this beautiful #au'hter, I "ante# to ma&e sense of m/ life. I "ante# m/ bab/ to &no" her 'ran#parents. )n# I "ante# to finall/ meet /ou.% It "as time, Bennett #eci#e#, to cut this short. 0e stoo# up. $*iss *urph/, /ou reali1e that I can have 'enetic testin' #one, an# it "ill sho"% $;es,% she sai#. $I reali1e that.% She tosse# a fol#e# sheet of paper onto his #es&. 0e opene# it slo"l/. It "as a report from a 'enetic laborator/ in Ballas. 0e scanne# the para'raphs. 0e felt #i11/. $It sa/s /ou are #efinitel/ m/ father,% she sai#. $8ne chance in four billion that /ou are not. The/ teste# m/ 'enetic material a'ainst /our store# bloo#.% $This is cra1/,% he sai#, #roppin' bac& in his chair. $I thou'ht /ou "oul# con'ratulate me,% she sai#. $It "asnt eas/ to fi'ure it out. */ mom "as livin' in St. (ouis t"ent/,ei'ht /ears a'o9 she "as marrie# at the timeC%

Bennett ha# 'one to me#ical school in St. (ouis. $But she #oesnt &no" me?% $She ha# artificial insemination from an anon/mous #onor. Which "as /ou.% Bennett felt #i11/. $I fi'ure# the #onor must have been a me#ical stu#ent,% she continue#, $because she "ent to the clinic at the me#ical school. )n# the/ ha# their o"n sperm ban&. *e#ical stu#ents #onate# sperm for mone/ bac& then, ri'ht?% $;es. T"ent/,five #ollars.% $There /ou 'o. !oo# poc&et mone/ in those #a/s. )n# /ou coul# #o it, "hat, once a "ee&? !o in there an# pop off?% $Somethin' li&e that.% $The clinic burne# #o"n fifteen /ears a'o, an# all the recor#s "ere lost. But I 'ot the stu#ent /earboo&s an# searche# them. Each /ear the class "as a hun#re# an# t"ent/ stu#ents, half female. That means sixt/ males. Eliminate )sians an# other minorities, /ou have about thirt/, five a /ear. Bac& then sperm #i#nt &eep for more than a /ear or so. I en#e# up "ith about a hun#re# an# fort/ names to chec&. It "ent faster than I thou'ht.% Bennett slumpe# #o"n in his chair. $But /ou "ant to &no" the truth? When I sa" /our picture in the me#ical /earboo&, I &ne" imme#iatel/. Somethin' about /our hair, /our e/ebro"sC% She shru''e#. $)n/"a/, here I am.% $But this "as never suppose# to happen,% Bennett sai#. $We "ere all anon/mous #onors. .ntraceable. No one "oul# ever &no" "hether "e ha# chil#ren or not. )n# bac& then, our anon/mit/ "as a 'iven.% $;eah, "ell. Those #a/s are over.% $But I never a'ree# to be /our parent. Thats m/ point.% She shru''e#. $What can I sa/?% $I "asnt havin' a chil#. I "as helpin' infertile couples so the/ coul# have a chil#.% $Well, Im /our chil#.% $But /ou have parentsC% $Im /our chil#, Br. Bennett. )n# I can prove it in court.%

There "as a silence. The/ stare# at each other. The bab/ #roole# an# s=uirme#. :inall/, he sai#, $Wh/ #i# /ou come here?% $I "ante# to meet m/ biolo'ical fatherC% $Well, /ouve met him.% $)n# I "ante# him to fulfill his #uties an# obli'ations. Because of "hat he #i# to me.% So there it "as. :inall/ out on the table. $*iss *urph/,% he sai# slo"l/, $/oull 'et nothin' from me.% 0e stoo#. She stoo#, too. $The reason Im an a##ict,% she sai#, $is because of /our 'enes.% $Bont be absur#.% $;our father "as an alcoholic an# /ou ha# #ru' troubles of /our o"n. ;ou carr/ the 'enes for a##iction.% $What 'enes?% $)!SK. 0eroin #epen#ence. B)T E. 3ocaine a##iction. ;ou have those 'enes, an# so #o I. ;ou 'ave me those 'enes. ;ou never shoul# have #onate# #efective sperm in the first place.% $What are /ou tal&in' about?% he sai#, su##enl/ a'itate#. This "oman "as clearl/ follo"in' a memori1e# script. 0e felt #an'er. $I #onate# sperm thirt/ /ears a'o. There "ere no tests bac& thenCan# there is no responsibilit/ no"C% $;ou &ne",% she snappe#. $;ou &ne" /ou ha# a problem "ith cocaine. ;ou &ne" it ran in /our famil/. But /ou sol# /our sperm an/"a/. ;ou put /our #ama'e#, #an'erous sperm on the mar&et. Not carin' "ho /ou infecte#.% $Infecte#?% $;ou ha# no business #oin' "hat /ou #i#. ;oure a #is'race to the me#ical profession. Bur#enin' other people "ith /our 'enetic #iseases. )n# not 'ivin' a #amn.% Throu'h his a'itation, he someho" foun# self,control. 0e reache# for the #oor. $*iss *urph/,% he sai#, $I have nothin' more to sa/ to /ou.% $;oure thro"in' me out? ;oull re'ret this,% she sai#. $;oull re'ret this ver/, ver/ much.%

)n# she storme# out of the office.

:eelin' su##enl/ #raine#, Bennett collapse# into the chair behin# his #es&. 0e "as in a state of shoc&. 0e stare# at his #es&, at the files for his "aitin' patients. None of it seeme# to matter, no". 0e #iale# his attorne/, an# explaine# the situation =uic&l/. $Boes she "ant mone/?% the attorne/ sai#. $I assume so.% $Bi# she tell /ou ho" much?% $+eff,% Bennett sai#, $/oure not ta&in' this seriousl/?% $.nfortunatel/, "e have to,% the attorne/ sai#. $This happene# in *issouri, an# *issouri ha# no clear la"s re'ar#in' paternit/ from artificial insemination bac& then. 3ases li&e /ours "ere never a problem until =uite recentl/. But as a rule in paternit/ #isputes, the court or#ers chil# support.% $Shes t"ent/,ei'ht.% $;es, an# she has parents. Still, she can ma&e an ar'ument in court. Base# on this 'ene thin', she can claim rec&less en#an'erment, she can claim chil# abuse, an# "hatever else she can pull out of a hat. *a/be shell 'et somethin' from a @u#'e, ma/be she "ont. emember, paternit/ rulin's are stac&e# a'ainst males. Sa/ /ou 'et a "oman pre'nant an# she #eci#es to have an abortion. She can #o that "ithout consultin' /ou. But if she #eci#es to 'ive birth, /oull pa/ support, even thou'h /ou never a'ree# to have a chil# "ith her. The court "ill sa/ its /our responsibilit/ not to have 'otten her pre'nant in the first place. 8r suppose /ou #o 'enetic testin' on /our &i#s, an# #iscover the/re not /ours/our "ife cheate# on /ou. The court "ill still re=uire /ou to pa/ support for &i#s that arent /ours.% $But shes t"ent/,ei'ht /ears ol#. Shes not a chil#% $The =uestion is, #oes a prominent ph/sician "ant to 'o to court on a case that involves not supportin' his o"n #au'hter?% $No,% Bennett sai#. $Thats ri'ht, /ou #ont. She &no"s that. )n# I assume she &no"s *issouri la", too. So "ait until she calls bac&, arran'e a meetin', an# call me. If she has an attorne/, all the better. *a&e sure he comes. *ean"hile, fax me that 'enetic report she 'ave /ou.% $Im 'oin' to have to pa/ her off?% $3ount on it,% the attorne/ sai#, an# hun' up.

30564 The #es& officer at the oc&ville -olice Station "as an attractive, smooth,s&inne# blac& "oman of t"ent/,five. The #es& plate rea#8::I3E +. (8W ; . 0er uniform "as crisp. !eor'ia Bellarmino pushe# her #au'hter close to the other si#e of the #es&. She set the paper ba' of s/rin'es in front of the police"oman an# sai#, $8fficer (o"r/, I "ant to &no" "h/ m/ #au'hter has these thin's, but she refuses to tell me.% 0er #au'hter 'lare# at her. $I hate /ou, *om.% 8fficer (o"r/ sho"e# no surprise. She 'lance# at the s/rin'es. She turne# to !eor'ias #au'hter. $Were these prescribe# to /ou b/ a ph/sician?% $;es.% $Bo the/ involve matters of repro#uction?% $;es.% $0o" ol# are /ou?% $Sixteen.% $3an I see some IB?% $Shes sixteen, all ri'ht,% !eor'ia Bellarmino sai#, leanin' for"ar#. $)n# I "ant to &no"% $Im sorr/, maam,% the police"oman sai#. $If she is sixteen, an# these #ru's involve repro#uctive issues, /ou have no ri'ht to be informe#.% $What #o /ou mean I have no ri'ht to be informe#? Shes m/#au'hter. Shessixteen. % $Thats the la", maam.% $But that la" is for abortions. She isnt havin' an abortion. I #ont &no" "hat the hell she is #oin'. These are fertilit/ #ru's. Shesshootin' up fertilit/ #ru's. % $Im sorr/, I cant help /ou on this.% $;ou mean m/ #au'hter is allo"e# to in@ect #ru's into her bo#/, an# I am not allo"e# to &no" "hat is 'oin' on?% $Not if she "ont tell /ou, no.%

$)n# "hat about her #octor?% 8fficer (o"r/ shoo& her hea#. $0e cant tell /ou, either. Boctor,patient privile'e.% !eor'ia Bellarmino collecte# the s/rin'es an# thre" them bac& in the ba'. $This is ri#iculous.% $I #ont ma&e the la"s,% the police"oman sai#. $I @ust enforce them.%

The/ "ere #rivin'home. $0one/,% !eor'ia sai#. $)re /ou tr/in' to 'et pre'nant?% $No.% Sittin' there "ith her arms fol#e#. :urious. $I mean, /oure sixteen, that shoul#nt be a problemCSo "hat are /ou #oin'?% $;ou ma#e me feel li&e an i#iot. % $0one/, Im @ust concerne#.% $No /oure not. ;oure a nos/, evil bitch. I hate /ou, an# I hate this car.% It "ent on li&e this for a "hile, until finall/ !eor'ia #rove her #au'hter bac& to school. +ennifer 'ot out of the car, slammin' the #oor. $)n#/ou ma#e me late for :rench7%

It "as anexhaustin' mornin', an# she ha# cancele# t"o appointments. No" she ha# to tr/ an# resche#ule the clients. !eor'ia "ent into the office, set the ba' of nee#les on the floor, an# starte# #ialin'. The office mana'er, :lorence, "al&e# b/ an# sa" the ba'. $Wo",% she sai#. $)rent /ou a little ol# for this?% $Its not me,% !eor'ia sai# irritabl/. $ThenCnot /our #au'hter?% !eor'ia no##e#. $;eah.% $Its that Br. Van#ic&ien,% :lorence sai#. $Who?% $Bo"n in *iami. These teena'e 'irls ta&e hormones, pump up their ovaries, sell their e''s to him, an# poc&et the mone/.%

$)n# #o "hat?% !eor'ia sai#. $Bu/ breast implants.% !eor'ia si'he#. $!reat,% she sai#. $+ust 'reat.% She "ante# her husban# to tal& to +ennifer, but unfortunatel/, ob "as on a fli'ht to 8hio, "here the/ "ere ma&in' a TV se'ment about him. That #iscussion"hich "as sure to be fier/ "oul# have to "ait. 3056K i#in' theun#er'roun# tram from the Senate 8ffice Buil#in' to the Senate Binin' oom, Senator obert Wilson HB,VermontI turne# to Senator Bianne :einstein HB,3aliforniaI an# sai#, $I thin& "e ou'ht to be more proactive on this 'enetic thin'. :or example, "e shoul# consi#er a la" that "oul# prevent /oun' "omen from sellin' their e''s for profit.% $;oun' 'irls alrea#/ #oin' that, Bob,% :einstein sai#. $The/ sell their e''s no".% $Wh/, to pa/ for colle'e?% $*a/be a fe". *ostl/, the/ #o it to bu/ a ne" car for their bo/frien#, or plastic sur'er/ for themselves.% Senator Wilson loo&e# pu11le#. $0o" lon' hasthat been 'oin' on?% he sai#. $) couple of /ears no",% :einstein sai#. $*a/be in 3aliforniaC% $Ever/"here, Bob. ) teena'er in Ne" 0ampshire #i# it to ma&e bail for her bo/frien#.% $)n# this #oesnt trouble /ou?% $I #ont li&e it,% :einstein sai#. $I thin& its ill,a#vise#. I thin& me#icall/ the proce#ure has #an'ers. I thin& these 'irls ma/ be ris&in' their repro#uctive futures. But "hat "oul# be the basis for bannin' it? Their bo#ies, their e''s.% :einstein shru''e#. $)n/"a/, the boats saile#, Bob. Nuite a "hile a'o.% 3056F Not a'ain7 Ellis (evine foun# his mother on the secon# floor of the -olo alph (auren store on *a#ison an# Sevent/,secon#. She "as stan#in' in front of the mirror, "earin' a cream,colore# linen suit

"ith a 'reen scarf. She "as turnin' this "a/ an# that. $0ello, #ear,% she sai#, "hen she sa" him. $)re /ou 'oin' to ma&e another scene?% $*om,% he sai#. $What are /ou #oin'?% $Bu/in' a fe" thin's for summer, #ear.% $We tal&e# about that,% Ellis sai#. $+ust a fe" thin's,% his mother sai#. $:or summer. Bo /ou li&e the cuffs on these pants?% $*om, "eve been here before.% She fro"ne#, an# fluffe# her "hite hair absentl/. $Bo /ou li&e the scarf?% she sai#. $I thin& its a bit much.% $We have to tal&,% Ellis sai#. $)re "e havin' lunch?% $The spra/ #i#nt "or&,% he sai#. $8h, I #ont &no".% She brushe# her chee&. $I felt a little moisturi1ation. :or about a "ee& after"ar#. But not a 'reat #eal, no.% $)n# /ou &ept shoppin'.% $I har#l/ shop at all an/more.% $Three thousan# #ollars last "ee&.% $8h, #ont "orr/. I too& a lot of those thin's bac&.% She tu''e# at the scarf. $I thin&, that 'reen #oes a funn/ thin' to m/ complexion. *a&es me loo& sic&. But a pin& scarf mi'ht be nice. I "on#er if the/ have this in pin&.% Ellis "as "atchin' her intentl/, "ith a 'ro"in' sense of forebo#in'. Somethin' "as "ron' "ith his mother, he #eci#e#. She "as stan#in' at the mirror, in exactl/ the same place she ha# been "ee&s before, "hen she sho"e# a total in#ifference to him, to his messa'e, to her famil/ situation, to her financial situation. 0er attitu#e "as completel/ inappropriate. )s an accountant, Ellis ha# a horror of people "ho "ere inappropriate about mone/. *one/ "as real, it "as tan'ible, it "as har# facts an# sprea#sheet fi'ures. Those facts an# fi'ures "ere not a matter of opinion. It #i#nt #epen# on ho" /ou loo&e# at it. 0is mother "as not reco'ni1in' the col# realit/ of her financial situation.

0e "atche# her smile, as&in' the sales'irl if the scarf came in pin&. No, the sales'irl sai#, he #i#nt ma&e pin& this /ear. The/ onl/ ha# 'reen, or "hite. 0is mother as&e# to tr/ the "hite. The sales'irl "al&e# a"a/. 0is mother smile# at him. Ver/ inappropriate. )lmost as ifC It mi'ht be earl/ #ementia,he thou'ht.It mi'ht be the first si'n. $Wh/ are /ou loo&in' at me that "a/?% $What "a/, *om?% $Im not cra1/. ;oure not puttin' me in a home.% $Wh/ "oul# /ou even sa/ that?% $I &no" /ou bo/s "ant the mone/. Thats "h/ /oure sellin' the con#os in Vail an# the Vir'in Islan#s. :or the mone/. ;oure 'ree#/, the bunch of /ou. ;ou are li&e vultures "aitin' for /our parents to #ie. )n# if "e "ont #ie, /oull hurr/ it up. -ut us in a home. !et us out of the "a/. !et us #eclare# insane. Thats /our plan, isnt it?% The sales'irl came bac& "ith a "hite scarf. 0is mother #rape# it aroun# her nec&, flun' it over her shoul#er "ith a flambo/ant 'esture. $Well, *r. Smart/pants, /oure not puttin' me in an/ home. ;ou 'et that throu'h /our hea# ri'ht no".% She turne# to the sales'irl. $Ill ta&e it,% she sai#. Still smilin'.

The brothers met that evenin'. +eff, "ho "as han#some, an# ha# connections in ever/ restaurant in to"n, 'ot them a table near the "aterfall at Sushi 0ana. Even earl/, the place "as pac&e# "ith mo#els an# actresses, an# +eff "as ma&in' plent/ of e/e contact. )nno/e#, Ellis sai#, $0o"re thin's at home?% +eff shru''e#. $:ine. Sometimes I have to "or& late. ;ou &no".% $No, I #ont. Because Im not a bi' investment ban&er an# the 'irls #ont "in& at me li&e the/ "in& at /ou.% )aron, the /oun'est brother, the la"/er, "as tal&in' on his cell phone. 0e finishe#, flippe# it shut. $<noc& it off, /ou t"o. Its the same conversation /ouve been havin' since hi'h school. What about *om?% Ellis sai#, $Its "hat I tol# /ou on the phone. Its spoo&/. Shes smilin' an# happ/. She #oesnt care.% $Three 'ran# last "ee&.%

$She #oesnt care. Shes bu/in' more than ever.% $So much for that 'ene spra/,% )aron sai#. $Where# /ou 'et that, an/"a/?% $Some 'u/ "or&s at some compan/ in 3alifornia. Bio!en.% +eff ha# been loo&in' over his shoul#er. No" he turne# bac& to the table. $0e/, I hear# somethin' about Bio!en. The/ve 'ot some problems.% $What #o /ou mean, problems?% )aron sai#. $Some pro#uct of theirs is contaminate#, earnin's are #o"n. Bi# somethin' slopp/, ma#e a mista&e. I cant remember. The/ 'ot an I-8 comin' up, but itll tan& for sure.% )aron turne# to Ellis. $;ou thin& that spra/ /ou 'ot is affectin' *om?% $No, I #ont thin& so. I thin& the #amn stuff @ust #i#nt "or&.% $But if the/ ha# contaminationC% )aron sai#. $Stop bein' a la"/er. Some cousin of *oms, her son sent it as a favor to us.% $But 'ene therap/ is #an'erous,% )aron sai#. $There have been #eaths from 'ene therap/. (ots of them.% Ellis si'he#. $)aron,% he sai#, $"ere not suin' an/bo#/. I thin& "ere loo&in' at the start of, /ou &no", mental #eterioration. )l1heimers or somethin'.% $Shes onl/ sixt/,t"o.% $It can start that earl/.% )aron shoo& his hea#. $3ome on, Ellie. She "as in perfect health. She "as sharp. No" /oure tellin' me shes losin' it. It coul# be the spra/.% $3ontamination,% +eff remin#e# them. 0e "as smilin' at a 'irl. $+eff, "ill /ou fuc&in' pa/ attention?% $I am. (oo& at the rac& on her.% $The/re fa&e.% $;ou @ust li&e to ruin ever/thin'.%

$)n# she has a nose @ob.% $Shes beautiful.% $Shes paranoi#,% Ellis sai#. $;ou #ont &no" that.% $Im tal&in' about *om,% Ellis sai#. $She thin&s "ere 'oin' to put her in a home.% $)n# "e ma/ have to,% )aron sai#. $Which "ill be ver/ expensive. But if "e #o, its because of that 'enetics compan/. ;ou &no" the public has no s/mpath/ for these biotech companies. -ublic opinion polls run ninet/,t"o percent a'ainst them. The/re perceive# as unscrupulous scumba's in#ifferent to human life. !* crops, trashin' the environment. -atentin' 'enes, 'rabbin' up our common herita'e "hile no one is loo&in'. 3har'in' thousan#s of #ollars for #ru's that cost pennies. -reten#in' the/ #o research "hen the/ reall/ #ont9 the/ @ust bu/ other peoples "or&. -reten#in' the/ have hi'h research costs "hen the/ spen# most of their mone/ on a#vertisin'. )n# then l/in' in the a#vertisin'. Snea&/, scumm/, slopp/, mone/,'rabbin' schmuc&s. It# be a slam,#un& case.% $Were not tal&in' about a la"suit,% Ellis sai#. $Were tal&in' about *om.% +eff sai#, $Ba#s fine. (et him #eal "ith her.% 0e 'ot up an# left the table, 'oin' over to sit "ith three lon',le''e# 'irls in short s&irts. $The/ cant be more than fifteen,% Ellis sai#, "rin&lin' his nose. $The/ve 'ot #rin&s on the table,% )aron sai#. $0e has t"o &i#s in school.% $0o"re thin's at home?% )aron sai#. $:uc& /ou.% $(ets sta/ on the topic,% )aron sai#. $*a/be *oms losin' it an# ma/be shes not. But "ere 'oin' to nee# a lot of mone/ if she 'oes into a home. Im not sure "e can affor# it.% $So "hat are /ou sa/in'?% $I "ant to &no" more about Bio!en an# that 'ene spra/ the/ sent us. ) lot more.% $;ou soun# li&e /oure alrea#/ plannin' the la"suit.% $+ust thin&in' ahea#,% )aron sai#.

3056M This is on , man7 i#in' his s&ateboar#, Bill/ 3leever, an'r/ sixth,'ra#er, came rippin' off the pla/'roun# "ith an ol#,school aerial, came #o"n into a bac&si#e three,sixt/ "ith a tail 'rab, then heel,flippe# onto the si#e"al&. 0e #i# it fla"lessl/, "hich "as 'oo#, because he "as feelin' he# lost some of his cool to#a/. The four &i#s follo"in' behin# "ere =uiet, instea# of /ellin' li&e usual. )n# this "as the bi' #o"nhill run to *ar&et Street in San Bie'o. But the/ "ere =uiet. (i&e the/ ha# lost confi#ence in him. Bill/ 3leever ha# been humiliate# to#a/. 0is han# hurt li&e a mother. 0e tol# the stupi# nurse @ust to put a Ban#,)i# on it, but she insiste# on a bi' "hite thin'. 0e rippe# it off the minute school "as out, but still. (oo&e# li&e crap. 0e loo&e# li&e an invali#. Somethin' sic&. 0umiliate#. )t a'e eleven, Bill/ 3leever "as five,nine an# E45 poun#s, soli# muscle for a &i# his a'e, an# a 'oo# foot taller than an/bo#/ else in the school. 0e "as bi''er than most of the teachers, even. Nobo#/ messe# "ith him. That little s&in,shit +amie, that nimro# #oof "ith buc& teeth, he shoul# have sta/e# out of Bill/s "a/. *ar&ie (ester the -ester "as thro"in' him a football, an# "hen he "ent bac& to receive it he trippe# over Buc&/ Beaver an# fell, ta&in' Buc&/ "ith him. Bill/ "as pisse# an# embarrasse#, spra"lin' li&e that in front of ever/bo#/, "ith Sarah 0ar#/ an# the others 'i''lin'. The &i# "as still l/in' on the 'roun#, so Bill/ 'ave him a couple of &ic&s "ith his Vans nothin' reall/, @ust a "arnin'an# "hen the &i# 'ot up he smac&e# him a little. No bi''ie. )n# the next thin' he &no"s, hes 'ot *on&e/bo/ @umpin' on his bac&, /an&in' his hair an# 'ro"lin' in his ear li&e a fuc&in' ape, an# Bill/ reache# bac& an# 'rabbe# for him an# *on&e/bo/ too& a bite li&e"hoa7 -issin' pain7 Seein' stars. 8f course the monitor, *r. Snott/ NoseBrip, #oes nothin', "hinin', $Brea& it up, bo/s. Brea& it up, bo/s.% The/ put *on&e/bo/ in #etention, an# calle# his mother to come an# pic& him up, but his mother obviousl/ #i#nt ta&e him home, "hich "as too ba# for him. Because there the/ "ere no", "al&in' alon' at the bottom of the hill, startin' to cross the baseball fiel#. +amie an# *on&e/bo/. )n# this is on 7

Bill/ hits them si#e on, movin' fast, an# the t"o 'o fl/in' li&e bo"lin' pins, ri'ht next to the #u'out b/ the si#e of the fiel#. +amie s&i#s on his chin on the #irt, raisin' a clou# of bro"n #ust, an# *on&e/bo/ ban's into the chain,lin& bac&stop behin# home plate. 8ff to one si#e, Bill/s bu##ies are /ellin'>Bloo#7 We "ant bloo#7

The little &i#, +amie, is moanin' in the #ust, so Bill/ 'oes ri'ht for *on&e/bo/. 0e char'es him "ith his #ec&, truc&s out, s"in'in' the s&ateboar# har#, an# catches the little blac& fuc&er bac& of the ear, thin&in' thatll teach him a lesson. *on&e/bo/s le's 'o out, he flops on the 'roun# li&e a ra' #oll, an# Bill/ &ic&s him a 'oo# one, ri'ht un#er the chin, lifts his ass off the #irt a little, that one #oes. But Bill/ #oesnt "ant to 'et that mon&e/ bloo# on his Vans, so he comes bac& s"in'in' the #ec& a'ain, fi'urin' to "hac& the mon&e/ s=uare in the face, ma/be brea& his nose an# @a", ma&e him even u'lier than he is. But *on&e/bo/ sprin's to one si#e, the #ec& clan's the fence,&a"an',&a"an',&"an' , an# *on&e/bo/ sin&s his teeth into Bill/s "rist an# bitesfuc&in' har#7 Bill/ screams an# #rops his #ec&, an# *on&e/bo/ han's on. Bill/ is feelin' his han# 'et numb, theres bloo# pourin' #o"n from the arm, #o"n *on&e/bo/s chin, an# hes snarlin' li&e a #o', an# his e/es are poppin' out, starin' at Bill/. )n# its li&e his hair is raise# or somethin', an# Bill/ thin&s in an instant of pure panic>Shit, this blac& fuc&s 'onna eat me . B/ then his s&atenec& bu##ies run up, all s"in'in' their boar#s at the mon&e/, four boar#s "hac&in' him #o"nsi#e the hea#, "hile Bill/ is /ellin' an# the mon&e/ is 'ro"lin'it ta&es forever until *on&e/bo/ #rops the han#, sprin's at *ar&ie (ester, an# hits him full in the chest, an# the -ester 'oes #o"n, an# the others all chase after them as the/ roll in the #ust, "hile Bill/ nurses his blee#in' arm. ) fe" secon#s later, "hen the pain is bearable an# Bill/ loo&s up, he sees the mon&e/ has scramble# up the chain,lin& bac&stop an# is ma/be fifteen feet in the air above them. Starin' #o"n at them. While his bu#s all stan# belo" an# /ell an# sha&e their #ec&s at him. But nothin' is happenin'. Bill/ sta''ers to his feet an# sa/s, $;ou loo& li&e a bunch of mon&e/s.% $We "ant him to come #o"n7% $Well, he "ont,% Bill/ sai#. $0es not stupi#. 0e &no"s "ell &ic& the shit out of him if he comes #o"n. (east, I "ill.% $So ho" "e 'et him #o"n?% Bill/ is feelin' mean no", blin# mean, he "ants to hurt somethin', so he 'oes ri'ht over to +amie an# starts &ic&in' the &i#, tr/in' to hit him in his little nuts, but the &i# is rollin' an# /ellin' for help, fuc&in' bab/ that he is. Some of the bu#s #ont li&e it, $0e/, leave im alone, he/, hes a little &i#,% but Bill/ is thin&in',:uc& it. I "ant that mon&e/ #o"n here. )n# this "ill #o it, nimro# &i# rollin' in #ust. <ic& an# &ic&C&ic&Cthe &i# /ellin' for helpC )n# su##enl/ the bu##ies are screamin', $)",shit7 % $Shit7 Shit7% $Shit7% )n# the/re runnin' a"a/, an# then somethin' hot an# soft smac&s Bill/ on the bac& of the

nec&, he 'ets the "eir# smell an# he cant believe it, he reaches bac& an#C+esus. 0e cant believe it. $Shit7 0es thro"in' shit7% The *on&e/bo/s up there "ith his pants #o"n, heavin' crap #o"n at them. )n# never missin'. Bea#l/, the &i#s are all covere# in it, an# then another one hits Bill/ ri'ht in the face. 0is mouth is half open. $8oo,u&7% 0e spits an# spits, "ipes his face, an# spits a'ain, tr/in' to 'et that taste out of his mouth. *on&e/ shit7 :uc&7 Shit7 Bill/ raises his fist. $;ou fuc&in' animal7% )n# 'ets another one ri'ht on the forehea#. Splaat7 0e 'rabs his #ec& an# runs a"a/. +oins his bu#s. The/re spittin', too. Its #is'ustin'. It stic&s to their clothes, faces. Shit. The/ all loo& to Bill/, its on their faces>(oo& "hat /ou 'ot us into. Its the moment to step up. )n# Bill/ &no"s ho". $!u/s an animal,% Bill/ sai#. $8nl/ one thin' to #o "ith animals. */ #a#s 'ot a 'un. I &no" "here it is.% $Bi' tal&,% *ar&ie sa/s. $;oure full of shit,% 0urle/ sa/s. $;eah? Wait an# see. *on&e/bo/ "ont ma&e school tomorro". Wait an# see.% Bill/ tru#'es home, carr/in' his boar#, an# the others #ra' on after him. )n# hes thin&in',8h shit, "hat #i# I @ust promise to #o? 30566 Stan *il'ramha# be'un the lon' trip to see his aunt in 3alifornia, but he ha# onl/ been #rivin' for an hour before !erar# starte# to complain. $It stin&s,% !erar# sai#, perche# in the bac&seat. $It stin&s to hi'h heaven.% 0e loo&e# out the "in#o". $What hellhole is this?% $Its 3olumbus, 8hio,% Stan sai#. $Bis'ustin',% !erar# sai#. $;ou &no" "hat the/ sa/,% Stan sai#. $3olumbus is 3levelan# "ithout the 'litter.% The bir# sai# nothin'.

$;ou &no" "hat 'litter is?% $;es. Shut up an# #rive.% !erar# soun#e# cran&/. )n# he shoul#nt be, Stan felt, consi#erin' ho" "ell the parrot ha# been treate# the last couple of #a/s. Stan ha# 'one online to fin# out "hat 're/s ate, an# ha# 'otten !erar# some #elicious apples an# special 'reens. 0e ha# left the TV on in the pet shop at ni'ht, for !erar# to "atch. )n# after a #a/, !erar# ha# stoppe# nippin' at his fin'ers. 0e even allo"e# Stan to put him on his shoul#er, "ithout bitin' his ear. $)re "e almost there?% !erar# sai#. $No. Weve onl/ been 'one an hour.% $0o" much farther is it?% $We have to #rive three #a/s, !erar#.% $Three #a/s. That is t"ent/,four times three, that is sevent/,t"o hours.% Stan fro"ne#. 0e ha# never hear# of a bir# that #i# math. $Where# /ou learn that?% $I am a man of man/ talents.% $;oure not a man at all.% 0e lau'he#. $Was that from a movie?% Sometimes the bir# repeate# lines from movies, he "as sure of it. $Bave,% !erar# sai#, in a monotone, $this conversation can serve no purpose an/more. !oo#, b/e.% $8h, "ait, I &no" that one. ItsStar Wars. % $:asten /our seat belts, its 'oin' to be a bump/ ni'ht.% It "as a "omans voice. Stan fro"ne#. $Some airplane movieC% $The/ see& him here, the/ see& him there, those :renchies see& him ever/"here% $I &no", thats not a movie, thats poetr/.% $Sin& me7% No" he soun#e# British. $I 'ive up,% Stan sai#. $So #o I,% !erar# sai#, "ith an elaborate si'h. $0o" much farther is it?%

$Three #a/s,% Stan sai#. The parrot stare# out the "in#o" at the passin' cit/. $Well, the/re save# from the blessin's of civili1ation,% he sai#, in a co"bo/ #ra"l. )n# he be'an to ma&e the soun#s of a plun&in' ban@o.

(ater in the #a/, the parrot be'an to sin' :rench son's, or ma/be the/ "ere )rab son's, Stan coul#nt be sure. )n/"a/, some forei'n lan'ua'e. It seeme# he ha# 'one to a live concert, or at least hear# a recor#in' of one, because he mimic&e# the cro"# soun#s, an# the instruments tunin' up, an# the cheerin' as the performers came on, before he san' the son' itself. It soun#e# li&e he "as sin'in' $Bi#i,% or somethin' li&e that. It "as interestin' for a "hile, &in# of li&e hearin' ra#io from a forei'n countr/, but !erar# ten#e# to repeat himself. 8n a narro" si#e roa#, the/ "ere stuc& behin# a "oman #river. Stan trie# to pass her once or t"ice, but never coul#. )fter a "hile !erar# starte# to sa/,$(e soleil cest beau,% an# then ma&e a lou# soun# li&e a 'unshot. $Is that :rench?% Stan as&e#. *ore 'unshots.$(e soleil cest beau.% Ban'7 $(e soleil cest beau.% Ban'7 $(e soleil cest beau.% Ban'7 $!erar#C% The bir# sai#,$(es femmes au volant cest la lachetD personifiD.% 0e ma#e a rumblin' soun#.$-our=uoi elle ne #Dpasse pas?C8h, ouc, mer#e, #es travaux.% The la#/ #river finall/ turne# off to the ri'ht, but she "as slo" ma&in' the turn, an# Stan ha# to bra&e sli'htl/ as he "ent past her. $Il ne faut @amais freinerC3omme #isait le vieux pPre Bu'atti, les voitures sont faites pour rouler, pas pour sarrdter.% Stan si'he#. $I #ont un#erstan# a "or# /ou are sa/in', !erar#.% $*er#e, les flics arrivent7% 0e be'an to "ail li&e a police siren. $Thats enou'h,% Stan sai#. 0e turne# on the ra#io. B/ no" it "as late afternoon. The/# passe# *ar/ville an# "ere hea#in' to"ar# St. (ouis. Traffic "as pic&in' up. $)re "e almost there?% !erar# sai#.

Stan si'he#. $Never min#.% It "as 'oin' to be a lon' trip. 3056V (/nn saton the e#'e of the tub an# use# the "ashcloth 'entl/ to clean the 'ash behin# his ear. $Bave,% (/nn sai#. $Tell me "hat happene#.% She coul# see the cut "as #eep, but he "asnt complainin'. $The/ came after us, *om7% +amie "as excite#, movin' his arms. 0e "as covere# in #ust an# ha# bruises on his stomach an# shoul#ers, but "as other"ise not ba#l/ hurt. $We #i#nt #o an/thin'7 Sixth,'ra#ers7 Evil #u#es7% $+amie,% she sai#, $let Bave tell me. 0o" #i# /ou 'et this cut?% $Bill/ s"un' the boar# at him,% +amie sai#. $We #i#nt #o an/thin'7% $;ou #i#nt #o an/thin'?% she sai#, raisin' an e/ebro". $;ou mean this happene# for no reason at all?% $;es, *om7 I s"ear7 We "ere @ust "al&in' home7 The/ came after us7% $*rs. (ester calle#,% (/nn sai# =uietl/. $0er son came home covere# in excrement.% $No, it "as poo,% +amie sai#. $0o" #i# that% $Bave thre" it7 0e "as 'reat7 The/ "ere beatin us an# he thre" it an# the/ ran a"a/7 0e never misse#7% (/nn continue# to clean the cut 'entl/. $Is that true, Bave?% $The/ hurte# +amie. The/ beate# him an# &ic&e# him.% $So /ou thre"Cpoo at them?% $The/ hurte# +amie,% he sai# a'ain, as if it explaine# ever/thin'.

$No &i##in',%0enr/ sai#, "hen he came home later. $0e thre" feces? Thats classic chimp behavior.% $*a/be, but its a problem,% (/nn sai#. $The/ sa/ hes #isruptive in class. 0es 'ettin' into scrapes on the pla/'roun#. 0es bitten other chil#ren. No" hes thro"n fecesC% She shoo& her

hea#. $I #ont &no" ho" to be a parent to a chimpan1ee.% $0alf,chimp.% $Even =uarter,chimp, 0enr/. I cant ma&e him un#erstan# that he cant behave this "a/.% $But the/ pic& on him, ri'ht?% 0enr/ sai#. $)n# these ol#er &i#s, the/ "ere sixth,'ra#ers? S&ateboar#ers? Those &i#s are in an# out of reform school. )n# "hatre six,'ra#ers #oin' botherin' "ith secon#,'ra#ers, an/"a/?% $+amie sa/s the &i#s ma&e fun of Bave. The/ call him *on&e/bo/.% $;ou thin& Bave pic&e# this fi'ht?% $I #ont &no". 0es a''ressive.% $This happene# at the pla/'roun#. I bet theres a securit/ camera there.% $0enr/,% she sai#, $/oure not un#erstan#in' "hat I am tellin' /ou.% $;es, I am. ;ou believe Bave starte# this. )n# I have the feelin' some bull/in' #umb,ass &i# % That "as "hen the/ hear# the 'unshot in the bac&/ar#. 3056G Traffic cra"le#. The F5M :ree"a/ "as a river of re# li'hts in the ni'ht. )lex Burnet si'he#. Sittin' besi#e her, +amie sai#, $0o" much farther is it?% $Its 'oin' to be a "hile, +amie.% $Im tire#.% $See if /ou can lie bac& an# rest.% $I cant. Its borin'.% $Its 'oin' to be a "hile,% she sai# a'ain. She flippe# open the ne" cell phone, foun# the number she ha# entere# for her ol# chil#hoo# frien#. She #i#nt &no" "hom else to call. (/nn "as al"a/s there for her. When )lex an# her husban# "ere brea&in' up, she an# the bab/ ha# 'one #o"n to see (/nn an# 0enr/. The little &i#s, both name# +amie, pla/e# to'ether. )lex ha# sta/e# there a "ee&. But no", she "as havin' trouble 'ettin' (/nn on the phone. )t first, she "orrie# she #i#nt have

the ri'ht number. Then she thou'ht there "as somethin' "ron' "ith her cheap cell phone. But then she 'ot the ans"erin' machine, an# no" $0ello? 0ello, "ho is this?% $(/nn, its )lex. (isten I% $8h, )lex7 Im reall/ sorr/, I cant tal& no"% $What?% $Not no". Im sorr/. (ater.% $But "hat% She hear# the #ial tone. (/nn ha# alrea#/ hun' up. She stare# for"ar# at the re# li'hts of the creepin' free"a/. $Whos that?% her son as&e#. $)unt (/nn,% she sai#. $But she coul#nt tal&. The/ @ust soun#e# bus/.% $So are "e still 'oin' there?% $*a/be tomorro".%

She pulle# off the free"a/ at San 3lemente an# starte# to loo& for a motel. :or some reason, she "as stran'el/ #isoriente# b/ the fact that she coul# not see (/nn. She ha#nt reali1e# that she# been countin' on it. $Wherere "e 'oin', *om?% +amie soun#e# anxious. $Well sta/ at a motel.% $What motel?% $Im loo&in'.% 0e stare# at her. $Bo /ou &no" "here it is?% $No, +amie. Im loo&in'.%

The/ passe# one, a 0oli#a/ Inn, but it "as too bi', an# it loo&e# expose#. She foun# a Best Western, unobtrusive, on 3amino eal, an# pulle# in. She tol# +amie to sta/ in the car "hile she "ent into the lobb/. ) pimpl/, 'an'l/ &i# stoo# behin# the counter. 0e "as tappin' his fin'ers on the polishe# 'ranite surface, hummin' a little to himself. 0e seeme# restless. $0i,% )lex sai#. $Bo /ou have a room for toni'ht?% $;es, maam.% $I# li&e one.% $+ust for /ourself?% $No, for me an# m/ son.% 0e 'lance# out the #oor at +amie. $0e un#er t"elve?% 0e "as still clic&in' his fin'ernails. $;es, "h/?% $If he 'oes to the pool, /ou 'otta accompan/ him.% $Thats fine.% Still tappin' the counter. She 'ave him a cre#it car# an# he s"ipe# it, all the "hile tappin' out a beat "ith his other han#. It "as 'ettin' on her nerves. $3an I as& /ou "h/ /ou #o that?% 0e be'an to sin' in a monotone. $Troubles "here Im 'oin', an# troubles "here Ive been.% 0e thumpe# the counter. $3ause trouble is m/ mi##le name an# trouble is m/ sin.% 0e smile#. $Its a son'.% $Thats ver/ unusual,% she sai#. $*/ #a# use# to sin' it.% $I see.% $0es #ea# no".% $I see.% $<ille# himself.% $Im sorr/ to hear that.%

$Shot'un.% $Im sorr/.% $Want to see it?% She blin&e#. $*a/be some other time.% $I &eep it ri'ht here,% he sai#, no##in' to the un#ersi#e of the counter. $Not loa#e#, of course.% Tappin', sin'in'. $Trouble is the onl/ place Ive beenC% $Ill @ust si'n in,% )lex sai#. 0e 'ave her bac& her car#, an# she fille# out the form. Still clic&in', all the time. She thou'ht about 'oin' else"here, but she "as tire#. +amie "as "aitin'. She ha# to fee# him, bu/ some ne" clothes for him, a toothbrush, all that. $There /ou 'o,% the &i# sai#, 'ivin' her the room &e/s. It "asnt until she "as bac& in her car, #rivin' to a par&in' spot near the room, that she remembere# she "as not suppose# to have use# her cre#it car#. Too late no". $*om, Im hun'r/.% $I &no", hone/. Well 'et somethin'.% $I "ant a bur'er.% $8&a/, "e can #o that.% She #rove throu'h the par&in' lot an# bac& onto the street. Better to 'et him fe# before the/ "ent to the room. 3056T There "ere t"o more'unshots as (/nn ran into the bac&/ar#. 0er #au'hter, Trac/, "as screamin', Bave "as up in the tree /ellin' an# sha&in' the branches, an# +amie la/ on the 'roun# "ith bloo# pourin' from his hea#. She felt sic&. She starte# for"ar#, an# Trac/ screame#, $*om7 Sta/ #o"n7% The 'unshots seeme# to be comin' from the street. Whoever it "as "as shootin' throu'h their "oo#en slat fence. There "as the soun# of #istant sirens. She coul# not ta&e her e/es off +amie. She starte# to move to"ar# him. *ore 'unshots, an# snappin' of leaves in the tree. The/ "ere shootin' at Bave. Bave "as "hoopin' an# 'ro"lin', sha&in' the branches an'ril/. 0e /elle#, $;ou #ea#7 ;ou #ea#, bo/7%

$Bave, be =uiet,% she shoute#. She starte# cra"lin' to"ar# +amie. Trac/ "as shoutin' into the cell phone, 'ivin' the a##ress to TEE. +amie "as moanin' on the 'rass. 0e "as all she sa". She hope# that 0enr/ ha# 'one out the front #oor an# "oul# see "ho it "as, an# "oul# not 'et hurt. It "as obviousl/ someone tr/in' to 'et Bave. The sirens "ere lou#er. She hear# shouts an# runnin' footsteps on the street. Some car ha# pulle# up, bri'ht li'hts shinin' throu'h the slats of the fence, castin' strea&s of sha#o". 8verhea#, Bave 'ave a "ar "hoop an# "as 'one. Trac/ "as /ellin'. (/nn 'ot to +amie. The bloo# "as thic& aroun# his hea#. $+amie, +amieC% She 'ot to her &nees, turne# him over 'entl/. 0e ha# a hu'e 'usher on his forehea#. e# bloo# pourin' #o"n one si#e of his face. 0e smile# "ea&l/. $0i, *om.% $+amie, "here are /ou hit?% $NotC% $Where, +amie?% $I fell. :rom the tree.% She ha# the e#'e of her s&irt in her han#, "as cautiousl/ "ipin' the "oun#. She sa" no bullet hole. +ust a hu'e abrasion, blee#in' profusel/. $0one/, /ou "erent shot?% $No, *om.% 0e shoo& his hea#. $It "asnt me, an/"a/. 0e "as after Bave.% $Who "as?% $Bill/.% (/nn loo&e# up at the tree overhea#. Branches 'entl/ s"a/in' in the li'ht of the hea#lamps. Bave "as 'one.

Baves first @ump lan#e# him on the si#e"al&, an# he be'an runnin' after the fleein' Bill/ 3leever, "ho "as hea#in' #o"n the street, runnin' home. Bave coul# move s"iftl/ "hen he

"ante# to, lopin' on all fours. 0e ran parallel to the si#e"al&, sta/in' on the 'rass, because the concrete hurt his &nuc&les. 0e "as 'ro"lin' continuousl/, as he close# in on Bill/. )t the en# of the bloc&, Bill/ turne# an# sa" Bave bearin' #o"n on him. 0e hel# his 'un in t"o sha&in' han#s an# fire# a shot, then another. Bave &ept comin'. )lon' the street, people "ere loo&in' out their "in#o"s. )ll the "in#o"s 'lo"e# blue from the TV sets insi#e. Bill/ turne# to run, an# Bave cau'ht him an# slamme# his hea# into a traffic si'npost. It ran' "ith the impact. Bill/ trie# to turn, but he "as terrifie#. Bave hel# him firml/ an# smashe# his hea# into the concrete. 0e "oul# have &ille# him for sure, but the soun# of approachin' sirens ma#e him pause an# loo& up. In that moment, Bill/ &ic&e#, scramble# to his feet, an# ran up the #rive"a/ of the nearest house. 0e climbe# into a car par&e# in the #rive"a/. Bave chase# him. Bill/ slamme# the #oor an# loc&e# it @ust as Bave lan#e# on the "in#shiel#. 0e sli# over the surface of the hoo#, peerin' into the interior. Bill/ aime# his 'un but he "as too sha&en, too terrifie# to fire. Bave #roppe# #o"n to the passen'er si#e, trie# the #oor, /an&in' a'ain an# a'ain at the han#le. Bill/ "as 'aspin' for breath, "atchin' him. Then Bave #roppe# #o"n a'ain, completel/ out of si'ht. The sirens came closer.

Bill/ reali1e#his pre#icament slo"l/. The police "ere comin'. 0e "as loc&e# in the car "ith a 'un in his han#, his bloo# an# fin'erprints smeare# all over it. -o"#er mar&s an# a re# cut "here the hammer ha# nippe# him. 0e #i#nt &no" ho" to shoot, not reall/. 0e ha# @ust "ante# to scare them, is all. The police "ere 'oin' to fin# him here. Trappe# in this car. 3autiousl/, he peere# out the passen'er "in#o", tr/in' to see Bave. Blac& an# screamin', Bave leapt up an# slamme# a'ainst the "in#o". Bill/ screame# an# @umpe# bac&. The 'un fire#, hittin' the #ashboar#, plastic splinters cuttin' into his arm, the car fillin' "ith smo&e. 0e #roppe# the 'un onto the floorboar#, leane# bac& in the seat. 0e "as 'aspin' for breath. Sirens. 3loser. *a/be the/ "oul# fin# him here, but it "as self,#efense. That "oul# be obvious. *on&e/bo/ "as a vicious animal. The police "oul# ta&e one loo& at him an# reali1e that ever/thin' Bill/ ha# #one "as self,#efense. 0e ha# to protect himself. The mon&e/ &i# "as vicious. 0e loo&e#

li&e an ape an# he acte# li&e an ape. 0e "as a &iller. 0e belon'e# behin# bars in a 1ooC :lashin' re# li'hts s"eepin' the roof of the car. The sirens stoppe#. Bill/ hear# a bullhorn. $This is the police. 3ome out of the car no". Ver/ slo" "ith /our han#s "here "e can see them.% $I cant7% he /elle#. $0es out there7% $3ome out of the car no"7% the voice boome#. $With /our han#s up.% Bill/ "aite# a"hile, then came out, hol#in' his han#s hi'h, blin&in' in the bri'ht spotli'ht of the police cars. ) cop came up an# shove# him onto the 'roun#. 0e snappe# han#cuffs on him. $It "asnt m/ fault,% Bill/ sai#, his face pushe# in the 'rass. $It "as that &i# Bave. 0es un#er the car.% $Theres nobo#/ un#er the car, son,% the cop sai#, liftin' him to his feet. $+ust /ou. Nobo#/ else. No"> /ou 'oin' to tell us "hat this is about?%

0is father came. Bill/ &ne" he "as 'oin' to 'et a beatin'. But his father #i#nt 'ive an/ in#ication of that. 0e as&e# to see the 'un. 0e as&e# Bill/ "here the bullets "ere. Bill/ sai# he "as shootin' at a vicious &i# "ho "as attac&in' him. Bill/s father @ust no##e#, his face blan#. But he sai# he "oul# follo" the cops #o"n to the station, "hen the/ too& Bill/ there to boo& him.

0enr/ sai#,$I thin& "e have to a#mit, it @ust isnt "or&in'.% $What #o /ou mean?% (/nn sai#, runnin' her fin'ers throu'h Baves hair. $This isnt Baves fault, /ou sai# so /ourself.% $I &no". But there seems to be trouble all the time. Bitin', fi'htin'CNo" 'unshots, for !o#s sa&e. 0es en#an'erin' all of us.% $But its not his fault, 0enr/.% $Im "orrie# about "hat "ill happen next.% $;ou coul# have thou'ht of that earlier,% she sai#, in a su##en burst of an'er. $(i&e four /ears a'o, "hen /ou #eci#e# to #o /our experiment. Because no" its a little too late to be havin' re'rets, #ont /ou thin&? 0es our responsibilit/, an# hes sta/in' "ith us.% $But%

$Were his famil/.% $The/ "ere shootin' at +amie.% $+amies all ri'ht.% $But shootin' C% $It "as some cra1/ &i#. Sixth,'ra#er. The police have him.% $(/nn, /oure not listenin'.% She 'lare# at him. $What #o /ou thin&, that /ou can =uietl/ 'et ri# of him, li&e a -etri #ish that #i#nt turn out ri'ht? ;ou cant @ust #ump Bave in the biotrash. ;oure the one "hos not listenin'. Bave is a livin', thin&in' sentient bein', an# /ou ma#e him. ;ou are the reason "h/ he exists on this earth. ;ou #ont have the ri'ht to aban#on him @ust because hes inconvenient or has trouble at school.% She pause# to catch her breath. She "as ver/ an'r/. $)n/"a/, Im not 'ivin' him up,% she sai#. $)n# I #ont "ant to tal& about it an/more.% $But% $Not no", 0enr/.% 0enr/ &ne" that tone. 0e shru''e# an# left. $Than& /ou,% Bave sai#, ben#in' his hea# so she coul# run her fin'ers throu'h the fur on his nec&. $Than& /ou, *om.% 305V5 )lex too& her son to an In,N,8ut #rive,in, an# the/ ha# bur'ers an# fries an# stra"berr/ sha&es. It "as no" #ar& outsi#e. She thou'ht of callin' (/nn a'ain, but (/nn ha# soun#e# harrie#. She #eci#e# not to. She pai# for the bur'ers in cash. Then the/ #rove to a Walstons #ru'store, one of those bloc&, lon' places that ha# ever/thin'. She bou'ht +amie some un#er"ear an# a chan'e of clothes9 she #i# the same for herself. She bou'ht a couple of toothbrushes an# toothpaste. She "as hea#in' to"ar# the chec&out "hen she sa" the 'uns for sale, over b/ the cameras an# "atches. She "ent to loo&. 8ver the /ears, she ha# 'one to shootin' ran'es "ith her father. She coul# han#le a 'un. She tol# +amie to 'o loo& at the to/ aisle, an# she "ent to the 'un rac&. $0elp /ou?% It "as a "imp/ 'u/ "ith a mustache. $I# li&e to see that *ossber' #ouble,action.% She no##e# to the "all.

$Thats our mo#el MT5, t"elve,'au'e, perfect for home #efense. !ot a special price this "ee& onl/.% She hefte# it. $8&a/, Ill ta&e it.% $Ill nee# an IB, an# a #eposit to hol# it.% $No,% she sai#, $I mean, Ill bu/ it no".% $Sorr/, maam, ten,#a/ "aitin' perio# in 3alifornia.% She han#e# the 'un bac&. $Ill thin& it over,% she sai#. She returne# to +amie, bou'ht the Spi#er,*an to/ he "as pla/in' "ith, an# "al&e# out to the par&in' lot. ) man "as stan#in' at the bac& of her car, ben#in' over the license plate. Writin' the number #o"n. 0e "as an ol#er 'u/, in some &in# of uniform. 0e loo&e# li&e a securit/ 'uar# from the store. She thou'ht> un. (eave no". But that #i#nt ma&e sense9 she nee#e# a car. It "as time to thin& fast. She tol# +amie to 'et in the car, an# she "al&e# to the bac&. $;ou &no" hes a #amn liar,% she sai#. $Whos that?% the 'uar# sai#. $*/ ex,husban#. 0e preten#s li&e this car is his, but it isnt. 0es @ust harassin' me. I 'ot a court or#er to stop him, an# I 'ot a bi' @u#'ment a'ainst the securit/ 'uar# at Wal,*art.% $0o"s that?% he sai#. $Bont act #umb,% she sai#. $I &no" /ou 'ot a call from him. 0e preten#s to be an attorne/, he preten#s to be a bail bon#sman, or a court a'ent, an# he "ants /ou to chec& if m/ car is in the lot. 0e sa/s its some pen#in' le'al matter.% $Well, /es% $0es l/in', an# /oure no" liable. Bi# he tell /ou I "as an attorne/?% $No, he @ust% $Well, I am. )n# /oure an accessor/ to his brea&in' the court or#er. That ma&es /ou liable to #ama'es. Invasion of privac/ an# harassment.% She too& a pa# from her purse. $No" /our name isC% She s=uinte# at the name ta', be'an to "rite.

$I #ont "ant an/ trouble, maam% $Then 'ive me that sheet of paper /ou "rote m/ license on, an# bac& off,% she sai#. $)n# "hen m/ husban# calls a'ain, /ou #amn "ell tell him /ou never set e/es on me, or Ill see /ou in court, an# I promise /ou, /oull be luc&/ if all /ou lose is /our @ob.% 0e no##e#, 'ave her the paper. 0is han#s "ere sha&in'. She 'ot in the car an# #rove off. )s she pulle# out of the par&in' lot, she thou'ht, *a/be it "ill "or&. Then a'ain, ma/be not. *ostl/ she "as stunne# b/ ho" fast this bount/ hunter ha# locate# her. 0e no #oubt ha# follo"e# her o"n car north for a couple of hours, an# then reali1e# that she ha# s"itche# cars "ith her assistant. 0e an# his cohorts &ne" her assistants name, an# the/ 'ot her car re'istration. So no" the/ &ne" the car )lex "as #rivin'. Then )lex ha# use# her cre#it car#, an# "ithin minutes, the bount/ hunter ha# &no"n about it an# fixe# her position at a motel in San +uan 3apistrano. eali1in' that she# nee# supplies, the hunter ha# probabl/ calle# ever/ convenience store "ithin a five,mile ra#ius of the motel, an# 'ave a stor/ to the securit/ people. Be on the loo&out for a "hite To/ota, license so,an#,so. )n# this 'u/ foun# her. i'ht a"a/. .nless she misse# her bet, the bount/ hunter "as on his "a/ to 3apistrano ri'ht no". If he "as #rivin', he "oul# be there in three hours. But if he ha# access to a helicopter, he mi'ht be here alrea#/. )lrea#/. $*om, can I "atch TV "hen "e 'o bac& to the motel?% $Sure, hone/.% But, of course, the/ "erent 'oin' bac& to the motel.

She par&e# aroun# the corner from the motel. :rom her position, she coul# see the lobb/, an# the &i# insi#e. 0e "as tal&in' on the phone, loo&in' aroun# as he #i# so. She turne# on her re'ular cell phone, an# #iale# the motel. The &i# put the other line on hol#, an# pic&e# up.

$Best Western.% $;es, this is *rs. 3olson. I chec&e# in earlier.% $;es, *rs. 3olson.% It seeme# to excite him. 0e loo&e# aroun# in all #irections no", frantic. $;ou put me in room 45F.% $;esC% $I thin& theres someone in m/ room.% $*rs. 3olson, I cant ima'ine% $I "ant /ou to come here an# open the #oor for me.% $If its an/bo#/, its probabl/ the mai#% $I thin& its a man.% $8h no, it coul#nt be% $3ome here an# open the #oor. 8r #o I have to call the police?% $No, Im sureCIll be ri'ht there.% $Than& /ou.% 0e s"itche# to the other line, spo&e =uic&l/, an# then left the lobb/, runnin' #o"n to"ar# the rooms at the bac&. )lex 'ot out of her car an# sprinte# across the street to the lobb/. She move# in =uic&l/, steppe# behin# the counter, pic&e# up the shot'un, an# "al&e# out a'ain. It "as a sa"e#,off t"elve, 'au'e emin'ton. Not her first choice, but it "oul# #o for no". She# 'et shells later. She 'ot bac& in the car. $Whats the 'un for?% +amie sai#. $+ust in case,% she sai#. She #rove off, turnin' onto 3amino eal. Throu'h her rearvie" mirror, she sa" the &i# comin' bac& into the lobb/, loo&in' pu11le#. $I "ant to "atch TV,% +amie sai#. $Not toni'ht,% she sai#. $Toni'ht "e are 'oin' to have an a#venture.%

$What &in# of a#venture?% $;oull see.% She #rove east, a"a/ from the li'hts, an# into the #ar&ness of the mountains. 305VE Stan *il'ram "as lost in en#less #ar&ness. The roa# ahea# "as a strip of li'ht, but on each si#e he coul# see no si'ns of life at all, nothin' except pitch,blac& #esert lan#scape stretchin' a"a/ into the #istance. To the north he coul# @ust #etect the ri#'e of the mountains, a faint line of blac& a'ainst blac&. But nothin' elseno li'hts, no to"ns, no houses, nothin'. It ha# been that "a/ for an hour. Where the hell "as he? :rom the bac&seat, the bir# 'ave a piercin' shrie&. Stan @umpe#9 the soun# ma#e his ear#rums ache. If /ou ever plan to motor "est, he thou'ht, #ont ta&e a #amn bir# on the hi'h"a/, thats the best. 0e# put cloth over the ca'e hours a'o, but the cloth #i#nt shut the bir# up an/more. :rom St. (ouis #o"n throu'h *issouri, an# on to !allup, Ne" *exico. )ll the "a/ the bir# "oul# not shut up. Stan chec&e# into a !allup motel, an# at aroun# mi#ni'ht the bir# be'an to scream, earsplittin' shrie&s. There "as nothin' to #o but chec& out"ith all the other motel 'uests /ellin' at himan# start #rivin' a'ain. The bir# "as silent, once the/ "ere #rivin'. But he pulle# off the roa# for a fe" hours #urin' the #a/ to sleep, an# later, "hen he stoppe# at :la'staff, )ri1ona, the bir# be'an to scream a'ain. It starte# before he even chec&e# into the motel. 0e &ept #rivin'. Winona, <in'man, Barsto", hea#in' for San Bernar#inoSan Ber#oo, his aunt calle# itan# all he coul# thin& "as this trip "oul# be over soon. -lease, !o#. (et it be over before he &ille# the bir#. But Stan "as exhauste#, an# after #rivin' more than t"o thousan# miles, he ha# become stran'el/ #isoriente#. Either he ha# misse# the San Ber#oo turnoff orCor he "asnt sure. 0e "as lost. )n# the bir# still shrie&e#. $;our heart s"eats, /our bo#/ sha&es, another &iss is "hat it ta&esC% 0e pulle# the car over. 0e opene# the #oor to the bac&seat. 0e too& the cloth off. $!erar#,% he sai#. $Wh/ are /ou #oin' this?% $;ou cant sleep, /ou cant eat%

$!erar#, stop it. Wh/?% $Im afrai#.% $Wh/?% $Its too far from home.% The bir# blin&e#, loo&e# at the #ar&ness outsi#e. $What fresh hell is this?% $This is the #esert.% $Its free1in'.% $The #esert is col# at ni'ht.% $Wh/ are "e here?% $Im ta&in' /ou to /our ne" home.% Stan stare# at the bir#. $If I leave /our cloth off, "ill /ou be =uiet?% $;es.% $No tal&in' at all?% $;es.% $;ou promise?% $;es.% $8&a/. I nee# it =uiet so I can fin# out "here "e are.% $I #ont &no" "h/, I love /ou li&e I #o, after all the chan'es% $Tr/ an# help me, !erar#. -lease.% Stan "ent aroun# an# 'ot in the #rivers seat. 0e pulle# out onto the roa# an# starte# #rivin'. The bir# "as =uiet. The miles rolle# b/. Then he sa" a si'n for a to"n calle# Earp, three miles ahea#. $*ello" 'reetin's, u&ie #u&ie,% !erar# sai#. Stan si'he#. 0e #rove for"ar# into the ni'ht. $;ou remin# me of a man,% !erar# sai#.

$;ou promise#,% Stan sai#. $No, /ou are suppose# to sa/, AWhat man?% $!erar#, shut up.% $;ou remin# me of a man,% !erar# sai#. $What man?% $The man "ith the po"er.% $What po"er?% $The po"er of hoo#oo.% $0oo#oo?% Stan sai#. $;ou #o.% $Bo "hat?% $ emin# me of a man.% $What man?% Stan sai#. )n# then he cau'ht himself. $!erar#, shut up or I "ill put /ou outsi#e ri'ht no". % $8oh, arent /ou the t"iste# bunn/.% Stan 'lance# at his "atch. 8ne more hour, he thou'ht. 8ne more hour, an# that bir# "as out. 305V4 Ellis sat #o"n across from his brother )aron, in )arons office at the la" firm. The office "in#o" loo&e# south over the cit/, #o"n to"ar# the Empire State Buil#in'. It "as a ha1/ #a/, but the vie" "as still spectacular, po"erful. $8&a/,% Ellis sai#, $I tal&e# to that 'u/ in 3alifornia, +osh Win&ler.% $.h,huh.% $0e sa/s he never 'ave an/thin' to *om.% $.h,huh.%

$Sa/s "hat he sent "as "ater.% $Well, thats "hat /ou "oul# expect him to sa/.% $)aron,% Ellis sai#, $the/ 'ave her "ater. Win&ler sai# that he "as not 'oin' to transport an/thin' across state lines. 0is mother "ante# it #one, so he sent "ater, to test the placebo effect.% $)n# /ou believe him,% )aron sai#, sha&in' his hea#. $I thin& he has #ocumentation.% $8f course he #oes,% )aron sai#. $Si'n,outs, lab reports, other #ocumentation maintaine# b/ his compan/.% $:alsifie#,% )aron sai#. $That #ocumentation is re=uire# b/ the :B). :alsif/in' it is a fe#eral offense.% $So is 'ivin' 'ene therap/ to frien#s.% )aron pulle# out a sheaf of papers. $Bo /ou &no" the histor/ of 'ene therap/? Its a horror stor/, Ellie. Startin' bac& in the late ETG5s, the biotech 'u/s "ent off half,coc&e# an# &ille# people ri'ht an# left. )t least six hun#re# people "e &no" about have been &ille#. )n# plent/ more "e #ont &no" about. ;ou &no" "h/ "e #ont &no"?% $No, "h/?% $Because the/ claime#'et thisthat the #eaths coul#nt be reporte#, because the/ "ere proprietar/ information. <illin' their patients "as a tra#e secret.% $Bi# the/ reall/ sa/ that?% $3oul# I ma&e this shit up? )n# then the/ bill *e#icare for the cost of the experiment that &ille# the patient. The/ &ill, "e pa/. )n# if the universities 'et cau'ht, the/ claim the/ #ont have to 'ive informe# consent to sub@ects because the/ are nonprofit institutions. Bu&e, -enn, .niversit/ of *innesotabi' places have been cau'ht. )ca#emics thin& the/re above the la". Six hun#re# #eaths7% Ellis sai#, $I #ont see "hat this has to #o% $;ou &no" ho" 'ene therap/ &ills people? )ll sorts of "a/s. The/ #ont &no" "hats 'oin' to happen. The/ insert 'enes into people, an# it turns on cancer 'enes, an# the people #ie of cancer. 8r the/ have hu'e aller'ic reactions an# #ie. These 'oofballs #ont &no" "hat the hell the/ are #oin'. The/re rec&less an# the/ #ont follo" the rules. )n# "e,% he sai#, $are 'oin' to smac& their asses #o"n.%

Ellis s=uirme# in his chair. $But "hat if Win&ler is tellin' the truth? What if "e are "ron'?% $We #i#nt brea& the rules,% )aron sai#. $The/ #i#. No" *oms 'ot )l1heimers, an# the/re in #eep, #eep shit.% 305VK When Bra# !or#on starte# the bar fi'ht at the (uc&/ (uc/ Saloon on -earl Street in +ac&son 0ole, W/omin', he ha#nt inten#e# to en# up in the hospital. The t"o 'u/s in the ti'ht,fittin' plai# shirts "ith the point/ pearl,button poc&ets loo&e# li&e pussies to him, an# he fi'ure# he coul# ta&e them easil/. There "as no "a/ to &no" the/ "ere brothers, not lovers, an# the/ #i#nt ta&e &in#l/ to his remar&s about them. )n# there "as no "a/ to &no" that the smaller one tau'ht &arate at W/omin' State an# ha# "on some &in# of championship at a Bruce (ee tournament for martial arts in 0on' <on'. <ic&boxin' "ith metal,tippe# co"bo/ boots. Bra# laste# all of thirt/ secon#s. )n# a lot of his teeth "ere loose. 0e ha# been l/in' in this fuc&in' infirmar/ for three hours, "hile the/ trie# to push the teeth bac& in place. There "as one perio#ontist the/ &ept callin', but he "asnt ans"erin', possibl/ because Has the intern explaine#I he "as off huntin' for the "ee&en#he li&e# el&. Tast/ eatin'. El&7 Bra#s fuc&in' mouth "as &illin' him. So the/ left him there "ith icepac&s on his face an# his @a" shot full of Novocain, an# someho" he fell asleep, an# the next mornin', the s"ellin' ha# 'one #o"n enou'h that he coul# tal& on the phone, so he calle# his attorne/, Will/ +ohnson, in (os )n'eles, hol#in' the business car# bet"een his bruise# thumb an# forefin'er. The receptionist "as cheerful> $+ohnson, Ba&er, an# 0alloran.% $Will/ +ohnson, please.% $0ol# on, please.% The phone clic&e#, but he "asnt put on hol#, an# then he hear# the "oman sa/, $:aber, Ellis, an# 3on#on.% Bra# loo&e# a'ain at the car# in his han#. The a##ress "as an office buil#in' in Encino. 0e &ne" "hat that place "as. It "as a buil#in' "here solo attorne/s coul# rent a tin/ office an# share a receptionist "ho "as traine# to ans"er the phone as if she "as "or&in' at a bi' la" firm, so clients "oul# not suspect their attorne/s "ere on their o"n. That buil#in' house# onl/ the most unsuccessful sort of attorne/. The ones "ho han#le# small,time #ru' #ealers. 8r "ho ha# #one @ail time themselves. $Excuse meC% he sai#, into the phone.

$Sorr/ sir, I am tr/in' to fin# *r. +ohnson for /ou.% She cuppe# her han# over the phone. $)n/bo#/ seen Will/ +ohnson?% )n# he hear# a muffle# voice /ell bac&, $Will/ +ohnson is a #ic&7% Sittin' there at the entrance to the emer'enc/ room, "ea& an# in pain, his @a" achin' li&e hell, Bra# #i# not feel 'oo# about "hat he "as hearin'. $Bi# /ou fin# *r. +ohnson?% $8ne moment sir, "ere loo&in'C% 0e hun' up. 0e felt li&e cr/in'.

0e "ent out to 'et brea&fast, but it hurt too much to eat, an# people in the coffee shop loo&e# at him o##l/. 0e sa" his reflection in the 'lass an# reali1e# his "hole @a" "as blue an# puff/. Still it "as better than last ni'ht. 0e "asnt "orrie# about an/thin' except this attorne/ +ohnson. )ll his initial suspicions about the man "ere confirme#. Wh/ ha# the/ met at a restaurant, instea# of his la" firm? Because +ohnson #i#nt belon' to a la" firm. There "as nothin' to #o but call his uncle +ac&. $+ohn B. Watson Investment !roup.% $*r. Watson, please.% The/ put him throu'h to the secretar/, "ho put him throu'h to his uncle. $0e/, .ncle +ac&.% $Where the fuc& are /ou?% Watson sai#. 0e soun#e# #istinctl/ unfrien#l/. $Im in W/omin'.% $Sta/in' out of trouble, I hope.% $)ctuall/, m/ attorne/ sent me here,% he sai#, $an# thats "h/ I am callin' /ou. Im a little "orrie#, I mean this 'u/% $(oo&,% Watson sai#, $/oure up on a molestation char'e, an# /ouve 'ot a molestation expert to han#le /our case. ;ou #ont have to li&e him. -ersonall/ I hear hes a pric&.% $Well%

$But he "ins cases. Bo "hat he sa/s. Wh/ are /ou tal&in' funn/?% $Nothin'C% $Im bus/, Bra#. )n# /ou "ere tol# never to call.% 3lic&.

Bra# "as feelin' "orse than ever. Bac& at his motel room, the 'u/ at the #es& sai# someone from the police ha# come loo&in' for him. Somethin' about a hate crime. Bra# #eci#e# it "as time to leave beautiful +ac&son 0ole. 0e "ent to his room to pac&, "atchin' some true,crime sho" "here the police cau'ht a #an'erous fu'itive b/ preten#in' to put him on television. The/ sta'e# a fa&e TV intervie" setup, an# as soon as the 'u/ relaxe#, the/ slappe# cuffs on him. )n# no" the 'u/ "as on #eath ro". -olice "ere 'ettin' tric&/. Bra# hastil/ finishe# pac&in', pai# his bill, an# hurrie# out to his car. 305VF The self,proclaime# environmental artist *ar& San'er, recentl/ returne# from a trip to 3osta ica, loo&e# up from his computer in astonishment as four men bro&e #o"n the #oor an# burst into his Ber&ele/ apartment. The men "ere #resse# hea# to foot in blue rubber ha1mat suits, "ith bi' rubber helmets an# bi' faceplates, rubber 'loves, an# boots, an# the/ carrie# evil,loo&in' rifles an# bi' pistols. 0e ha# har#l/ reacte# to the shoc& "hen the/ "ere on him, 'rabbin' him "ith their rubber han#s an# "restlin' him a"a/ from the &e/boar#. $-i's7 :ascists7% San'er /elle#, but su##enl/ it seeme# li&e ever/bo#/ "as shoutin' an# screamin' in the room. $This is an outra'e7 :ascist pi's7% he shoute# as the/ cuffe# him, but he coul# see their faces behin# the mas&s, an# the/ "ere afrai#. $+esus, "hat #o /ou thin& Im #oin' here?% he sai#, an# one of them ans"ere#, $We &no" "hat /oure #oin', *r. San'er,% an# spun him a"a/. $0e/7 0e/7% The/ pulle# himrou'hl/#o"n the steps from his apartment to the street. San'er coul# onl/ hope me#ia "oul# be "aitin', cameras rea#/ to film this outra'e in broa# #a/li'ht. The press, ho"ever, "as cor#one# off across the street. The/ coul# hear San'er as he shoute#, an# the/ "ere filmin' him, but their #istance prevente# the up,close, in,/our,face confrontation he hope# for. In fact, San'er su##enl/ reali1e# ho" this scene must loo& throu'h their lenses policemen #resse# in fri'htenin' ha1mat suits escortin' a thirt/ish bear#e# man in @eans an# a

3he !uevara T,shirt, "ho stru''le# in their arms, cursin' an# shoutin'. San'er &ne" he must loo& li&e a ma#man. (i&e one of the Te#s> Te# Bun#/, Te# <ac1/ns&i, one of those 'u/s. The cops "oul# sa/ that he ha# microbiolo'/ e=uipment in his apartment, that he ha# tools for 'enetic en'ineerin', an# he "as ma&in' a pla'ue, ma&in' a virus, ma&in' a #isease somethin' horrible. ) ma#man. $-ut me #o"n,% he sai#, forcin' himself to be calm. $I can "al&. (et me "al&.% $)ll ri'ht, sir,% one of them sai#. The/ let him stan# on his feet, an# "al&. San'er "al&e# "ith as much #i'nit/ as he coul# muster, strai'htenin' his shoul#ers, sha&in' his lon' hair, as the/ le# him to a "aitin' car. 8f course it "as an unmar&e# car. 0e shoul# have expecte# that. :uc&in' :BI or 3I) or "hatever. Secret 'overnment or'ani1ations, the sha#o" 'overnment. Blac& helicopters. .naccountable, the cr/pto Na1is amon' us. :umin', he "asnt prepare# to see *rs. *alouf, the blac& la#/ "ho live# on the secon# floor of his buil#in', stan#in' outsi#e "ith her t"o /oun' &i#s. )s he passe# her, she leane# for"ar# an# starte# /ellin' at him. $;ou bastar#7 ;ou ris& m/ famil/7 ;ou ris& m/ chil#rens lives7 ;ou :ran&enstein7 :ran&enstein7% San'er "as intensel/ a"are of ho" that moment "oul# pla/ on the evenin' ne"s. ) blac& mother shouts at him, calls him :ran&enstein. )n# the &i#s at her si#e "ere cr/in', fri'htene# b/ ever/thin' that "as happenin' aroun# them. Then the cops shove# San'er into the unmar&e# car, "ith one rubber,'love# han# on his hea#, easin' him into the bac&seat. )n# as the #oor slamme# shut, he thou'ht, I am fuc&in' scre"e# .

Sittin' in his @ail cell, "atchin' the television in the hall"a/, tr/in' to hear the commentar/ over the ar'uments of the other 'u/s in the cell, tr/in' to i'nore the faint smell of vomit an# the #eep sense of #espair that settle# over him as he "atche#. :irst there "as foota'e of San'er himself, hair lon', #resse# li&e a bum, "al&in' bet"een t"o 'u/s in ha1mat suits. 0e loo&e# even "orse than he ha# feare#. The corporate flun&/ rea#in' the ne"s "as mouthin' all the bu11"or#s> San'er "as unemplo/e# . 0e "as an une#ucate# #rifter. 0e "as a fanatic an# a loner "ho ha# 'enetic en'ineerin' materials in his crampe#, filth/ apartment, an# he "as consi#ere# #an'erous because he fit the classic bioterrorist profile. Next, a bear#e# San :rancisco la"/er from some environmental #efense 'roup sai# San'er shoul# be prosecute# to the full extent of the la". San'er ha# cause# irreparable harm to an en#an'ere# species, an# ha# @eopar#i1e# the ver/ existence of the species b/ his #epre#ations. San'er fro"ne#> "hat the hell "as he tal&in' about?

Next the TV sho"e# a picture of a leatherbac& turtle an# a map of 3osta ica. No" it seeme# that authorities ha# been alerte# to San'ers activities because he ha# visite# Tortu'uero, on the )tlantic coast of 3osta ica, sometime before. )n# because he ha# ma#eserious threats to the environment re'ar#in' leatherbac& turtles. San'er coul#nt follo" this. 0e ha# never ma#e an/ threats. 0e ha# "ante# to help, that "as all. )n# the fact "as, once he 'ot bac& to his apartment, he ha# been unable to carr/ out his plans. 0e bou'ht stac&s of 'enetics textboo&s, but the "hole thin' "as much too complicate#. 0e opene# the shortest of the texts an# scanne# some of the captions to 'raphics> $) plasmi# harborin' a normal (ox- has little chance of remainin' inte'rate# in a 'enome at a similar (oxsite since the 3re recombinase "ill eliminate the inte'rate# BN) fra'mentC% $(entiviral vectors in@ecte# into one,cell embr/os or incubate# "ith embr/os from "hich 1ona pelluci#a "as "ith#ra"n "ere particularl/C% $) more efficient "a/ to replace a 'ene relies on the use of mutant ES cells #evoi# of the 0- T 'ene Hh/poxanthine phosphoribos/l transferaseI. These cells cannot survive in the 0)T me#ium, "hich contains h/poxanthine, aminopterine, an# th/mi#ine. The 0- T 'ene is intro#uce# at the tar'ete# site b/ a #ouble homolo'ous recombinationC% San'er ha# stoppe# rea#in'. )n# no" the TV screen sho"e# turtles on the beach at ni'ht, 'lo"in' a "eir# purple colorCan# the/ thou'ht that he ha# #one that? The ver/ i#ea "as ri#iculous. But a fascist state #eman#e# bloo# for an/ trans'ression, real or ima'ine#. San'er coul# foresee himself thro"n in @ail for a crime he ha#nt committe#a crime that he #i#nt even &no" ho" to commit. Ne" Trans'enic -ets on 0ori1on !iant 3oc&roaches, -ermanent -ups )rtists, In#ustr/ 0ar# at Wor& ;ale,traine# artist (isa 0ensle/ has @oine# forces "ith the 'enetic firm of Bor'er an# Sno## (t#. to create 'iant coc&roaches to be sol# as pets. The !* coc&roaches "ill be three feet lon' an# stan# approximatel/ one foot off the 'roun#. $The/ "ill be the si1e of lar'e #achshun#s,% sa/s 0ensle/, $althou'h of course the/ "ont bar&.% 0ensle/ re'ar#s the pets as "or&s of art, inten#e# to raise human a"areness of the insect communit/. $The over"helmin' ma@orit/ of livin' matter on our planet consists of insects,% she sai#. $;et "e maintain an irrational pre@u#ice a'ainst them. We shoul# embrace our insect brethren. <iss them. (ove them.% She observe# that $the real #an'er of 'lobal "armin' is that "e ma/ ren#er so man/ insects extinct.% 0ensle/ ac&no"le#'e# that she "as inspire# b/ the "or& of artist 3atherine 3halmers HB.S. En'ineerin', Stanfor# .niversit/I, "hose pro@ect )merican 3oc&roach first elevate# coc&roaches to a ma@or theme of contemporar/ art.

*ean"hile, in suburban Ne" +erse/, the firm of <umnic& !enomics is har# at "or& creatin' an animal the/ believe #o' o"ners reall/ "ant> permanent puppies. $<umnic&s -erma,-uppies "ill never 'ro" up,% accor#in' to spo&esperson (/n <umnic&. $When /ou bu/ a -erma-upp/, it sta/s a pupp/ forever.% The firm is "or&in' to eliminate un"ante# pupp/ behavior, such as che"in' shoes, "hich 'ets on #o' o"ners nerves. $8nce the teeth are in, this behavior stops,% <umnic& sai#. $.nfortunatel/, at this point our 'enetic interventions have prevente# the 'ro"th of teeth alto'ether, but "ell solve that.% She sai# that rumors the/ "ere 'oin' to mar&et a toothless animal calle# a !umm/Bo' "ere untrue. <umnic& observes that since a#ulthoo# in human bein's is bein' replace# b/ permanent a#olescence, people naturall/ "ish to be accompanie# throu'h life b/ similarl/ /outhful #o's. $(i&e -eter -an, "e never "ant to 'ro" up,% she sa/s. $!enetics ma&es it possible7% 305VM Still lost, no" #rivin' throu'h ver/ hill/ terrain, Stan *il'ram s=uinte# at the roa# si'n emer'in' from the #ar&ness ahea#. -)(8*) *8.NT)IN KV*I(ES. Where the hell "as that? 0e ha# never reali1e# 3alifornia "as so bi'. 0e ha# passe# throu'h a couple of to"ns a "a/s bac&, but at three in the mornin' ever/thin' "as close#, inclu#in' 'as stations. )n# then he "as once more in #ar&, empt/ countr/si#e. 0e shoul# have brou'ht a map. Stan "as exhauste#, irritable, an# he nee#e# to pull over an# sleep. But the #amn bir# "oul# start shrie&in' as soon as he stoppe# the car. !erar# ha# been silent for the last hour, but no", inexplicabl/, he be'an to ma&e telephone #ial tones. )s if he "ere callin' someone. $Stop it, !erar#,% Stan sai#. )n# the bir# stoppe#. )t least for a moment. Stan "as able to #rive in silence. But of course it #i#nt last. $Im hun'r/,% !erar# sai#. $;ou an# me both.% $;ou brin' an/ chips?% $The chips are 'one.% The/ ha# eaten the last of them, bac& in the to"n of Earp. )n hour a'o? T"o hours a'o? $Nobo#/ &no"s the trouble Ive seen,% !erar# sai#, hummin'. $Bont #o it,% Stan "arne#.

$Nobo#/ &no"s, cept +esusC% $!erar#C% Silence. It "as li&e travelin' "ith a chil#, Stan thou'ht. The bir# ha# all of the stubbornness an# unexpecte#ness of a chil#. It "as exhaustin'. The/ passe# train trac&s, off to the ri'ht. !erar# ma#e chu''in' soun#s, an# a mournful "histle. $I aint seen the sunshine, since I #ont &no" "hen,nnnC% Stan #eci#e# not to sa/ an/thin'. 0e 'rippe# the "heel an# #rove throu'h the ni'ht. Behin# him, he coul# see a faint li'htenin' of the s&/. That meant he "as #rivin' "est. )n# that "as "here he "ante# to 'o. *ore or less. )n# then in the tense silence, !erar# be'an a'ain. $(a#ies an# 'entlemen, mes#ames et messieurs, #amen un# herren, from "hat "as once an inarticulate mass of lifeless tissues, ma/ I no" present a culture#, sophisticate#, man about to"n7 0it it7% $;oure pushin',% Stan sai#. $)n# Im 'ivin' /ou a "arnin'.% $Its m/ life#ont /ou for'et7% the bir# san', screamin' at the top of its lun's. It seeme# as if the "hole car vibrate#. Stan thou'ht the "in#o"s mi'ht shatter. 0e "ince#, 'rippe# the "heel har#er. )n# then the screamin' stoppe#. $Were so 'la# to see so man/ of /ou lovel/ people here toni'ht,% !erar# sai#, soun#in' li&e an announcer. Stan shoo& his hea#. $Bear !o#.% $(ets be happ/, happ/ happ/, sa/ the "or# no". $0app/ happ/ happ/, tr/ it someho"C% $Stop,% Stan sai#. !erar# "ent ri'ht on>

$0app/, happ/, happ/, happ/, oh bab/ /es, happ/, happ/% $Thats it7% Stan /elle#, pullin' over to the si#e of the roa#. 0e 'ot out of the car, slamme# the #rivers #oor har#. $;ou #ont scare me, buster,% !erar# sai#. Stan s"ore an# opene# the bac& #oor. !erar# "as sin'in' a'ain> $Ive 'ot some ne"s for /ou, an# /oull soon fin# out its true, an# /oull have to eat /our lunch all b/ /ourself% $No problem,% Stan sai#, $because /ou are out of here, pal7% 0e 'rabbe# the bir# rou'hl/ !erar# pec&e# at him viciousl/, but he #i#nt carean# put !erar# #o"n on the si#e of the roa#, in the #ust. $It loo&s as thou'h /oure lettin' 'o, an# if its real I #ont "ant to% $Its real,% Stan snarle#. !erar# flappe# his "in's. $;ou cant #o this to me,% he sai#. $8h no? Watch me.% Stan "al&e# bac& to the front of the car, opene# the #oor. $I "ant m/ perch,% !erar# sai#. $Its the least /ou can% $:uc& /our #amn perch7% $Bont 'o a"a/ ma#, it cant be so ba#, #ont 'o a"a/C% $B/e, b/e, !erar#.% Stan slamme# the #oor an# shove# his foot #o"n on the pe#al, #rivin' off fast, ma&in' sure he raise# a bi' clou# of #ust. 0e loo&e# bac&, but coul#nt see the bir#. 0e #i#, ho"ever, see all the bir# shit in the bac&seat. +ee1, it "oul# ta&e #a/s to clean all that up. But no" it "as =uiet. Blesse#l/ =uiet. :inall/. The a#ventures of !erar# "ere over.

No" that there "as silence in the car, his accumulate# fati'ue hit him. Stan be'an to #o1e off.

0e turne# on the ra#io, rolle# #o"n the "in#o", stuc& his hea# out in the col# bree1e. Nothin' "as helpin'. 0e reali1e# he "as 'oin' to fall asleep, an# he ha# to pull off the roa#. That bir# ha# &ept him a"a&e. 0e felt a little ba#, puttin' him out in the roa# that "a/. It "as as 'oo# as &illin' him. ) bir# li&e that "oul#nt last lon' in the #esert. Some rattler or co/ote "oul# ma&e =uic& "or& of him. 0a# probabl/ alrea#/ #one it. No reason to 'o bac&. Stan pulle# over to the si#e of the roa#, into a 'rove of pines. 0e turne# the en'ine off an# inhale# the scent of the trees. 0e fell instantl/ asleep.

!erar# "al&e# bac& an# forth on the #ust/ 'roun# for a "hile in the #ar&ness. 0e "ante# to 'et off the 'roun#, an# several times he trie# @umpin' onto the scrubb/ sa'e bushes that surroun#e# him. But the sa'e #i#nt support his "ei'ht, an# he came crashin' #o"n a'ain each time. :inall/ he half,hoppe#, half,fle" into the air, comin' #o"n a'ain on a @uniper bush about three feet off the 'roun#. Stan#in' on that ma&eshift perch, he mi'ht have 'one to sleep, except the temperature "as extremel/ col# for a tropical bir#. )n# he "as &ept a"a&e b/ the /elpin' of a pac& of animals in the #esert. The /elps "ere comin' closer. !erar# ruffle# his feathers, a si'n of unease. 0e loo&e# in the #irection of the soun#. 0e sa" several #ar& shapes movin' throu'h the #esert brush. 0e cau'ht the 'lint of 'reen e/es. 0e ruffle# his feathers a'ain. )n# "atche# the pac& come to"ar# him. 305V6 The obinson FFhelicopter #escen#e# in a clou# of #ust, an# Vasco Bor#en came out, crouche# beneath the bla#es. 0e 'ot into the "aitin' blac& 0ummer. $Tal& to me,% he sai# to Boll/, "ho "as #rivin'. She# come #o"n earlier, "hile Vasco "ent on that "il# 'oose chase to -ebble Beach. Boll/ sai#, $She chec&e# into the Best Western at seven,thirt/ toni'ht, "ent to Walstons, "here a securit/ 'u/ IB# the car. She brushe# him off "ith a stor/ about an ex,husban#, an# he "ent for it.% $When "as that?% $(ittle before ei'ht. :rom there she "ent bac& to the motel, 'ave the &i# at the #es& a stor/ about someone bein' in her room. While he "as chec&in', she too& his shot'un from un#er the counter an# ma#e off "ith it.%

$Bi# she?% Bor#en sai#. $The little la#/ has some balls.% $)pparentl/ she ha# trie# to bu/ a 'un in a #ru'store, but ran into the ten,#a/ "ait.% $)n# no"?% $We "ere trac&in' her cell phone, but she turne# it off. Before that happene# "e 'ot her hea#in' east, to"ar# 8rte'a 0i'h"a/.% $Into the #esert,% Vasco sai#, no##in'. $Shell sleep in her car, an# then continue on tomorro" mornin'.% $We can #o"nloa# sat shots at ei'ht a.m. Thats the fastest processin' time.% $Shell be 'one before ei'ht in the mornin',% Vasco sai#. 0e leane# bac& in the 0ummer. $Shell 'o at #a"n. So lets see.% 0e pause#, thin&in'. $)ll afternoon shes been #rivin', an# its basicall/ south. The minute all this be'an, our la#/ "ent south.% $;ou thin&in' *exico?% Boll/ sai#. Vasco shoo& his hea#. $She #oesnt "ant to leave a recor#, an# crossin' the bor#er "ill leave a recor#.% $*a/be shell hea# east, tr/ to cross at Bro"n :iel# or 3alexico,% Boll/ sai#. $*a/be.% Vasco rubbe# his bear# thou'htfull/. Too late, he felt the mascara comin' off on his fin'ers. Bamn, he ha# to remember that. $Shes scare#. I thin& shes hea#in' for a place she thin&s "ill 'ive her help. *a/be meet her father #o"n here. 8r meet up "ith somebo#/ she &no"s. )n ol# bo/frien#? School frien#? Sororit/ sister? :ormer teacher? :ormer la" partner? Somethin' li&e that.% $Weve been chec&in' all the net #atabases for the last t"o hours,% Boll/ sai#. $)n# so far "eve 'ot nothin'.% $0o" about her ol# phone recor#s?% $No calls to San Bie'o area co#e.% $0o" far bac&?% $) /ear. Thats all thats available "ithout a special or#er.% $So "hoever this is, she hasnt calle# em in a /ear.% Vasco si'he#. $Well @ust have to "ait for her.% 0e turne# to Boll/. $(ets 'o to that Best Western. I "ant to fin# out "hat &in# of 'un the little la#/ 'ot. )n# "e can 'et a couple of hours rest, before #a"n. Im sure "ell 'et her b/ tomorro". I 'ot a feelin'.% 0e tappe# his chest. $)n# Im never "ron'.%

$0on, /ou @ust 'ot mascara on /our nice shirt.% $)h hell.% 0e si'he#. $Itll come out,% Boll/ sai#. $Ill 'et it out for /ou.% 305VV !erar# "atche# the #ar& shapes approach. The/ move# "ith a lopin' 'ait, an# ma#e a snortin' or snufflin' soun#, an# sometimes a me"lin' soun#. Their bo#ies "ere lo". Their bac&s "ere @ust visible above the sa'e. The/ circle# his perch, approachin', then sli#in' a"a/. But the/ ha# clearl/ smelle# him, because the/ "ere comin' ever closer to him. There "ere six animals alto'ether. !erar# ruffle# his feathers, partl/ in an attempt to "arm his bo#/. The animals ha# lon' snouts. Their e/es 'lo"e# bri'ht 'reen. The/ ha# a #istinctive mus&/ o#or that "as unpleasant. The/ ha# lon' fluff/ tails. 0e coul# see that the/ "ere not blac& but rather bro"nish,'ra/. The/ move# in closer. $Im sha sha sha&in, Im sha&in no".% )n# closer. The/ "ere =uite close, no". The lar'est one pause# a fe" feet a"a/ an# stare# at !erar#. !erar# #i# not move. )fter several secon#s, the bi' animal e#'e# closer. $;ou can stop ri'ht there, mister7% The animal stoppe# instantl/, an# even too& a fe" paces bac&"ar#. The other animals in the 'roup bac&e# a"a/, too. The/ all seeme# confuse# b/ the voice. But not for lon'. The bi' animal starte# to move in a'ain. $Well, hol# on7% This time, there "as onl/ a momentar/ pause. Then the animal &ept comin'. $;ou feel luc&/, pun&? Bo /ou? 0uh?% The animal "as comin' ver/ slo"l/ no". Sniffin' at !erar#, closer an# closerCSniff, sniffC The creature smelle# a"ful. The nose "as @ust inches a"a/C

!erar# bent an# bit har# on the animals soft nose. The creature /elpe# an# @umpe# bac&"ar#, almost &noc&in' !erar# from his perch. 0e re'aine# his balance. $Ever/ time /ou turn aroun# expect to see me,% !erar# sai#. $3ause one time /oull turn aroun# an# Ill be there, an# Ill &ill /ou, *att.% The animal "as flat on the 'roun#, rubbin' his in@ure# nose "ith his forele's. 0e #i# that for a "hile. Then he 'ot up, 'ro"lin'. $(ife is har#, but its har#er if /oure stupi#.% The "hole pac& of animals "as 'ro"lin', no". The/ move# for"ar# in a semicircle. The/ seeme# to be coor#inate#. !erar# ruffle# his feathers, an# ruffle# them a'ain. 0e even flappe# his "in's, tr/in' to ma&e as lar'e an# active a shape of himself as possible. These creatures #i#nt seem to care. $(oo&, /ou fools, /oure in #an'er, cant /ou see? The/re after /ou, the/re after all of us7% But the spo&en voices seeme# to have no effect at all. The animals @ust &ept movin' for"ar#, slo"l/. 8ne "as lopin' aroun# behin# !erar#. 0e turne# his hea# to loo&. Not 'oo#, not 'oo#. $!et bac& to "here /ou once belon'e#7% !erar# flappe# his "in's a'ain, nervousl/, but apparentl/ the anxiet/ 'ave him ne" stren'th, because there "as a bit of lift from the branch he stoo# on. The 'ro"lin' animals close# in )n# !erar# flappe# his "in's har#har#an# felt himself lift into the air. It "as "ee&s since his last feather clip, that "as the reason. 0e coul# fl/7 0e move# hi'h above the 'roun#, an# #iscovere# that he coul# soar a little. Not much, but a little. The smell/ animals "ere far belo", ho"lin' at him, but !erar# turne# "est, follo"in' the roa# that Stan ha# been #rivin' on. 0e "as hea#in' a"a/ from the sunrise to"ar# #ar&ness. With his acute sense of smell, he #etecte# the o#or of foo#, an# fle" to"ar# that. 305VG Sleepin' in the front seat of her car, )lex Burnet opene# her e/es an# sa" that she "as surroun#e# b/ men. Three of them "ere peerin' into her car. The/ "ore co"bo/ hats an# carrie# bi' pron'e# stic&s "ith loops on them. She sat up abruptl/. 8ne of them "ave# for her to be still. $+es a moment, miss.% )lex loo&e# over at her son, +amie, sleepin' peacefull/ in the seat besi#e her. 0e #i#nt a"a&en. Nothin' "o&e +amie. When she loo&e# bac& outsi#e, she 'aspe#. 8ne of the co"bo/s raise# his stic&. ) 'i'antic rattlesna&e, easil/ five feet lon' an# as thic& as a forearm, "as "ri''lin' on the en# of it, ma&in' a si11lin' soun# "ith its rattle.

$;ou can come out no", if /ou "ant.% 0e s"un' the sna&e a"a/. She opene# the #oor cautiousl/. $Its the heat of /our en'ine,% one of them sai#. $Bra"s em un#er the car in the mornin's.% She sa" that there "ere six men alto'ether. The/ each ha# stic&s, an# carrie# lar'e sac&s "ith s=uirmin' contents. $Whatre /ou #oin'?% $Were collectin' rattlers.% $Wh/?% she sai#. $:or the attlesna&e oun#up next "ee&. In ;uma.% $.h,huhC% $Bo it ever/ /ear. Its a contest. Who brin's the most sna&es.% $I see.% $Its b/ "ei'ht, so /ou "ant the bi' uns. Bi#nt mean to fri'hten /ou.% $Than& /ou.% The 'roup of men "as movin' off. The man tal&in' to her la''e# behin#. $*aam, /ou ou'htnt to be out here alone,% he sai#. $Thou'h I see /ou 'ot /ourself a "eapon.% 0e no##e# to the bac&seat of the car. $;es,% she sai#, $but I #ont have an/ ammo.% $Well, that "ont #o /ou,% the man sai#. 0e starte# to"ar# his car, par&e# across the roa#. $Is that a t"elve,'au'e /ou 'ot?% $;es, it is.% $Thesell serve.% 0e 'ave her a han#ful of re# shells. She stuffe# them into her poc&ets. $Than&s. What #o I o"e /ou?% 0e shoo& his hea#. $;ou @ust ta&e care, maam.% 0e turne# to re@oin the others. $) blac& 0ummer came up this roa# about an hour a'o. Bi' 'u/ "ith a bear#, sai# he "as loo&in' for a "oman an# her little bo/. Sai# he "as their uncle an# the/ "ere missin'.% $.h,huh. What# /ou tell him?%

$We ha#nt seen /ou /et. So "e sai# no.% $Which "a/ #i# he 'o?% she sai#. $To"ar# Elsinore. But I fi'ure an/time no" hell be hea#in' bac&.% $Than&s,% she sai#. 0e "ave#. $Bont stop for 'as,% he sai#. $)n# 'oo# luc&.% T )NS3 I-T> 3BS M S)N : )N3IS38 eeeeeeeee )ccuse# Bio,Terrorist elease# To#a/ H3BS MI Suspecte# terrorist *ar& San'er "as release# from )lame#a 3ount/ +ail to#a/ on t"o /ears probation for possession of #an'erous biolo'ical materials. Informe# sources sa/ the technical complexit/ of the 'overnments char'es a'ainst San'er le# the prosecutors to reluctantl/ conclu#e that the/ mi'ht not be able to put the suspect behin# bars. In particular, the char'e a'ainst San'er that he ha# 'eneticall/ mo#ifie# turtles in 3entral )merica has no" been thro"n into =uestion. We spo&e "ith +ulio *anare1 in 3osta ica. H*anare1I It is true that the )tlantic turtles have suffere# from 'enetic mo#ification that pro#uces a purple color in their shells. )s /et there is no explanation for ho" this happene#. But the a'e of the turtles in#icates that 'enetic manipulation occurre# five to ten /ears a'o. H3BS MI Shortl/ after his arrest, investi'ators #etermine# that San'er ha# not been in 3osta ica earl/ enou'h to have carrie# out the 'enetic chan'e. 0e "as onl/ there last /ear. )n# so *ar& San'er, suspecte# terrorist, is no" free on a five,hun#re#,#ollar fine. 305VT In 3on'ressional 0earin' oom FFK, "hile "aitin' for procee#in's to be'in, 3on'ressman *arvin *in&o"s&i HB,WisconsinI turne# to 3on'ressman 0enr/ Wexler HB,3aliforniaI an# sai#, $Shoul#nt "e have stron'er re'ulations to limit the availabilit/ of recombinant BN) technolo'/?% $;ou thin&in' of San'er?% $Well, hes the most recent case. Where #i# he 'et his stuff, #o /ou &no"?% $8n the Internet,% Wexler sai#. $;ou can bu/ recombinant &its from outfits in Ne" +erse/ an# North 3arolina. 3ost a couple of hun#re# buc&s.% $Thats as&in' for trouble, isnt it?%

$(isten,% Wexler sai#, $m/ "ife 'ar#ens. Boes /our "ife 'ar#en?% $No" that the &i#s are 'one? Shes a fanatic about her roses.% $(ocal 'ar#en club? )ll of that?% $Well, sure.% $-lent/ of 'ar#eners "ho use# to ma&e h/bri#s b/ 'raftin' cuttin's onto rootstoc&s no" use BN) &its to carr/ thin's a step further,% Wexler sai#. $-eople are ma&in' 'eneticall/ mo#ifie# roses all over the "orl#. Suppose#l/ a +apanese compan/ has ma#e a blue rose usin' !* metho#s. ) blue rose has been a #ream of 'ro"ers for centuries. -oint is, the technolo'/s ever/"here, *arv. Its in bi' companies, an# its in bac&/ar#s. Ever/"here.% $What #o "e #o about that?% *in&o"s&i sai#. $Nothin',% Wexler sai#. $Im not about to #o an/thin' to ma&e /our "ife an'r/. 8r mine.% 0e cuppe# his chin in his han#, in a 'esture that al"a/s loo&e# intelli'ent on camera. $But ma/be,% he sai#, $ma/be its time for a speech expressin' m/ concern about the #an'ers of this uncontrolle# technolo'/.% $!oo# i#ea,% *in&o"s&i sai#. $I thin& Ill 'ive one, too.% (I-8S.3TI8N NEWS -rime *inisters :at Sells for LEG,555 Next> 3elebrities to Bonate :at for 3harit/ BB3 NEWS. ) bar of soap ma#e from fat liposuctione# from Italian -rime *inister Silvio Berlusconi has been sol# for LEG,555 to a private collector. The soap is a "or& of art entitle# $*ani -ulite% H$3lean 0an#s%I, ma#e b/ the artist !ianni *otti, "ho is base# in S"it1erlan#. *otti bou'ht the fat from a clinic in (u'arno "here Berlusconi ha# the liposuction performe#. *otti then mol#e# it into a bar of soap, "hich sol# at the Basel art fair to a private S"iss collector "ho $can no" "ash his han#s "ith Berlusconi.% 3ommentators note# that Berlusconi is unpopular in Europe, "hich ma/ have re#uce# the price fetche# b/ his fat. The fat of film celebrities "oul# be "orth si'nificantl/ more. $The s&/s the limit for Bra# -itt or -amela )n#erson b/,pro#ucts,% sai# one. Woul# celebrities ever sell their fat? $Wh/ not?% sai# a Beverl/ 0ills plastic sur'eon. $It coul# be a charit/ thin'. )fter all, the/re #oin' the liposuction an/"a/. )t the moment "e @ust thro" the fat a"a/. But the/ mi'ht as "ell use their fat to help "orth/ causes.%

Spee#boat acer Bums )roun# The Butt of *an/ +o&es WI EB NEWS SE VI3E. Wealth/ Ne" Sealan#er -eter Bethune "ill attempt to set a "orl# recor# on a spee#boat po"ere# b/ fat from his o"n bac&si#e. 0is eco,correct VG,foot trimaran, Earthrace, is po"ere# entirel/ b/ bio,#iesel fuel ma#e from ve'etable oil an# other fats. In fact, Bethunes bum "ill ma&e onl/ a minor contribution to the roun#,the,"orl# @ourne/. 0is buttoc&s /iel#e# a mere liter of fuel. 0o"ever, Bethune note# that he "as ba#l/ bruise# an# sai# $it "as a personal sacrifice% to pro#uce the fuel. )rtist 3oo&s, Eats 0is 8"n Bo#/ :at -rotests $Wastefulness% of Western Societ/ E.TE S. Ne" ;or& conceptual artist icar#o Ve'a un#er"ent liposuction, coo&e# his fat, an# ate it. 0e sai# his purpose "as to #ra" attention to the "astefulness of Western societ/. 0e also set asi#e other portions of his fat for sale, notin' that this "oul# enable people to taste human flesh an# experience cannibalism. Ve'a #i# not set a price for his fat, but one art #ealer estimate# that it "oul# be "orth consi#erabl/ less than Berlusconis. $Berlusconi is a prime minister,% he pointe# out. $Ve'a is an un&no"n. Besi#es, this has alrea#/ been #one b/ the artist *arcos Evaristta, "ho ma#e meatballs of his bo#/ fat.% *arcos Evaristta is a 3hilean,born artist livin' in Benmar&. eports that his bo#/,fat meatballs "oul# be auctione# b/ 3hristies in Ne" ;or& coul# not be confirme# as 3hristies representatives #i# not return phone calls. 305G5 The ambulance spe# south on the free"a/. Sittin' in the #rivers seat, "earin' her ne" Bluetooth hea#set, Boll/ tal&e# to Vasco. Vasco "as an'r/, but there "as nothin' Boll/ coul# #o about it. 0e# set off in the "ron' #irection a secon# time. 0e ha# onl/ himself to blame. $(oo&,% Boll/ sai#. $We @ust 'ot telephone recor#s for the last five /ears. +ust 'ot em this minute. )lex calls people in this area co#e name# <en#all, 0enr/ an# (/nn. 0es a biochemist9 "e #ont &no" "hat she #oes. But (/nn an# )lex are the same a'e. We thin& ma/be the/ 're" up to'ether.% $)n# "here are the/ locate#?% Vasco sai#. $The <en#alls.% $(a +olla. Its north of% $I &no" "here it is, 'o##amn it,% Vasco sai#. $Where are /ou no"?% Boll/ sai#.

$3omin' bac& from Elsinore. Im at least an hour from (a +olla. oa#s so #amn t"ist/. !o##amn it, I &no" she "as sleepin' on this roa# some"here.% $0o" #o /ou &no"?% $I @ust &no". !ot m/ nose "or&in'.% $8&a/, "ell, shes probabl/ on her "a/ to (a +olla no". She mi'ht even be there alrea#/.% $)n# "here are /ou?% $T"ent/ minutes from the <en#all house. ;ou "ant us to pic& them up?% Vasco sai#, $0o"s the #oc?% $Sober.% $Sure?% $3lose enou'h for 'overnment "or&,% Boll/ sai#. $0es #rin&in' coffee from a thermos.% $;ou chec& the thermos?% $;es. 8f course. So#o "e pic& up, or "ait for /ou?% $If its the 'irl, )lex, leave her alone. But if /ou see the &i#, 'rab him.% $Will #o,% Boll/ sai#. 305GE Bob,% )lex sai#, hol#in' her phone to her ear. She hear# a 'roan at the other en#. $What time is it?% $Its seven in the mornin', Bob.% $)" 3hrist.% ) thump as his hea# hit the pillo". $This better be important, )lex.% $Were /ou out on a "ine,tastin'?% obert ). <och, #istin'uishe# hea# of the la" firm, #evote# a 'reat #eal of attention to "ine. <ept his collection in loc&ers all over to"n. Bou'ht at auction from 3hristies9 ma#e trips to Napa, )ustralia, :rance. But as far as )lex "as concerne#, the "hole thin' "as @ust an excuse to 'et #run& on a re'ular basis. $Im "aitin', )lex,% he sai#. $It better be 'oo#.%

$8&a/, last t"ent/,four hours, I 'ot a bount/ hunter, hu'e 'u/ loo&s li&e a "al&in' bric&, hes after me an# m/ &i#, tr/in' to stic& biops/ nee#les in us an# ta&e our cells.% $Ver/ funn/. Im "aitin'.% $Im serious, Bob. Theres a bount/ hunter chasin' me an# m/ &i#.% $This is out of no"here?% $No. I thin& its relate# to Bio!en.% $I hear Bio!en is havin' troubles,% Bob sai#. $)n# the/re tr/in' to ta&e /our cells? The/ probabl/ cant #o that.% $-robabl/ is not "hat I "ant to hear.% $;ou &no" the la" is unclear.% $(oo&,% she sai#, $I have m/ ei'ht,/ear,ol# son here9 the/re tr/in' to 'rab him in the bac& of an ambulance an# stic& nee#les into his liver, I #ont "ant to hearunclear. I "ant to hearWell stop it. % $Well certainl/ tr/,% he sai#. $This is /our fathers case?% $;eah.% $Bi# /ou call him?% $0es not ans"erin'.% $;ou call the police?% $Theres a "arrant out for m/ arrest. In 8xnar#. Theres a hearin' in 8xnar# to#a/. I nee# somebo#/ 'oo# to 'o up an# appear for me.% $Ill sen# Bennis.% $I sai#, somebo#/ 'oo#. % $Bennis is 'oo#.% $Bennis is 'oo# if he has a month. This is to#a/, Bob.% $Well, "ho #o /ou "ant?%

$I "ant /ou,% she sai#. $)" 3hrist. 8xnar#? Its so fuc&in' farCI havent ha# m/ shotsC% $I have a sa"e#,off shot'un in the bac&seat, Bob. I #ont reall/ care if /ou thin& the #rive is too lon'.% $8&a/, o&a/, ta&e it eas/,% he sai#. $I have to arran'e some thin's.% $Will /ou 'o?% $;es, Ill 'o. ;ou "ant to 'ive me a hint "hat this is about?% $;oull fin# it in the Burnet file. I assume it has to #o "ith ta&in's, b/ eminent #omain or simple conversion.% $Ta&in' /our cells?% $The/ claim the/ o"n them.% $0o" can the/ o"n /our cells? The/ o"n /our fathers cells. 8h, I 'et it. Same cells. But thats bullshit, )lex.% $Tell the @u#'e.% $The/ cant violate the inte'rit/ of /our bo#/, or the bo#/ of /our &i#, @ust% $Save it for the @u#'e,% she sai#. $Ill call /ou later, fin# out ho" it "ent.% She flippe# the phone shut. She loo&e# #o"n at +amie. 0e "as still sleepin', peaceful as an an'el. If <och 'ot to 8xnar# b/ late mornin', he mi'ht 'et an emer'enc/ hearin' set for the afternoon. She shoul# probabl/ call him aroun# four p.m. That seeme# a ver/ lon' time a"a/. She #rove to"ar# (a +olla. 305G4 Its the last thin' "e nee#, 0enr/ <en#all thou'ht. Visitors7 0e "atche# in #isma/ as (/nn thre" her arms aroun# )lex Burnet an# then bent over to hu' )lexs &i#, +amie. )lex an# +amie ha# @ust sho"n up, "ith no a#vance "arnin'. The "omen "ere chatterin' excite#l/, arms flutterin', happ/ to see each other as the/ "al&e# into the &itchen to 'et foo# for )lexs +amie. *ean"hile, his son +amie an# Bave "ere pla/in' Brive or Bie7 on the -la/Station. The soun# of crunchin' metal an# s=uealin' tires fille# the room.

0enr/ <en#all "as over"helme#. 0e "al&e# into the be#room to thin& thin's throu'h. 0e ha# @ust come bac& from the police station, "here he revie"e# the pla/'roun# securit/ camera tape from the #a/ before. The ima'e =ualit/ "asnt that 'oo#than& !o#because the ima'e of that &i# Bill/ &ic&in' an# beatin' his son "as so upsettin' he coul# har#l/ "atch. 0e ha# to loo& a"a/ several times. )n# those other bo/s, that 'an' of s&aters, the/ shoul# all be in @ail. With an/ luc&, the/# be expelle# from school. But 0enr/ &ne" it "oul#nt en# there. It never #i#. Ever/bo#/ sue# these #a/s, an# no #oubt the s&ater parents "oul# sue to have their &i#s reinstate#. The/# sue 0enr/s famil/, an# the/# sue +amie an# Bave. )n# out of those la"suits it "as sure to emer'e that there "as no such thin' as !an#alf,3ri&e/ s/n#rome, or "hatever it "as that (/nn ha# ma#e up. It "as sure to emer'e that Bave "as in realit/ a trans'enic chimp. )n# then "hat? ) me#ia circus be/on# all ima'inin'. eporters campe# on the front la"n for "ee&s. 3hasin' them "herever the/ "ent. :ilmin' them "ith sp/ cameras #a/ an# ni'ht. Bestro/in' their lives. )n# aroun# the time the reporters 'ot bore#, the reli'ious people an# the environmentalists "oul# start in. 0enr/ an# his famil/ "oul# be calle# !o#less. The/# be calle# criminals. The/# be calle# #an'erous, an# un,)merican, an# a threat to the biosphere. In his min# he sa" commentators on TV in a babel of lan'ua'esEn'lish, Spanish, !erman, +apaneseall tal&in', "ith pictures of him, an# Bave, in the bac&'roun#. )n# that "as @ust the be'innin'. Bave "oul# be ta&en a"a/. 0enr/ coul# possibl/ 'o to @ail. HThou'h he #oubte# that9 scientists ha# been brea&in' the rules about 'enetic testin' for t"o #eca#es, an# none ha# ever 'one to @ail, even "hen patients #ie#.I But he "oul# certainl/ be barre# from research. 0e coul# be &ic&e# out of the lab for a /ear or more. 0o" "oul# he support his famil/? (/nn coul#nt #o it alone, an# her "eb business "oul# almost certainl/ #r/ up. )n# "hat "oul# happen to Bave? )n# his son? To Trac/? )n# "hat about their communit/? (a +olla "as prett/ liberal Hparts of it, an/"a/I, but people mi'ht not be un#erstan#in' about the i#ea of a human1ee 'oin' to school "ith their &i#s. It "as ra#ical, no #oubt about it. -eople "erent rea#/ for it. (iberals "ere onl/ so liberal. The/ mi'ht have to move. The/ mi'ht have to sell their house an# 'o some"here remote, li&e *ontana. Thou'h ma/be people "oul# be even less acceptin' of them there. These an# other thou'hts race# throu'h his min#, to the accompaniment of cars s=uealin' an# crashin' into each other, an# his "ife an# her frien# lau'hin' in the &itchen. 0e felt over"helme#. )n# in the mi##le of it, at the center of ever/thin', "as his #eep sense of 'uilt.

8ne thin' "asclear. 0e ha# to &eep trac& of his &i#s. 0e ha# to &no" "here the/ "ere. 0e coul#nt ris& further inci#ents li&e the one that ha# occurre# the #a/ before. (/nn ha# &ept the chil#ren at home for an extra hour, inten#in' to let them 'o to school later, so there "oul#nt be

an/ inci#ents "ith ol#er &i#s. That 3leever &i# "as a menace, an# it "asnt li&el/ he "as @aile#. The/# probabl/ @ust scare him an# 'ive him over to the custo#/ of his father. The father, 0enr/ &ne", "as a #efense anal/st for a local thin& tan& an# a har#,ass 'un nut. 8ne of those intellectuals "ho li&e# to shoot thin's. ) manl/ intellectual. There "as no tellin' "hat coul# happen. 0e turne# to the pac&a'e he ha# brou'ht home from the lab. It "as mar&e# Trac&Tech In#ustries, 3hiba 3it/, +apan. Insi#e "ere five inch,lon' polishe# silver tubes, sli'htl/ thinner than so#a stra"s. 0e pulle# them out an# loo&e# at them. These marvels of miniaturi1ation ha# !-S technolo'/ built in, as "ell as monitors for temperature, pulse, respiration, an# bloo# pressure. The/ "ere activate# b/ a ma'net that /ou touche# at one en#. The tip 'lo"e# blue once, then nothin'. The/ "ere #esi'ne# to &eep trac& of lab primates, mon&e/s an# baboons. The tubes "ere inserte# "ith a special sur'ical instrument that loo&e# li&e an oversi1e# s/rin'e. The/ "ere place# un#er the s&in of the nec&, @ust above the clavicle. 0enr/ coul#nt #o that to the &i#s, of course. So the =uestion "as, "here to put them? 0e "ent bac& to the livin' room "here the &i#s "ere. Brop the sensors in their school ba's? No. Bo"n the collars of their shirts? 0e shoo& his hea#. The/# feel them. Then "here?

The sur'ical instrument "or&e# perfectl/. The #evices "ent smoothl/ into the rubber at the heel of the snea&er. 0e #i# it for Baves snea&er, then for +amies, then, on an impulse, "ent out an# 'ot a snea&er from )lexs son, +amie, as "ell. $What for?% +amie sai#. $I nee# to measure it. Bac& in a sec.% 0e inserte# another #evice into the thir# snea&er. That left t"o more. 0enr/ thou'ht about it for a "hile. Several possibilities came to min#. 305GK The 0ummer pulle# up behin# the ambulance, an# Vasco 'ot out. 0e "al&e# up to the ambulance. Boll/ sli# over onto the passen'er seat. $Whats happenin',% Vasco sai#, as he 'ot in.

Boll/ no##e# to the house at the en# of the street. $Thats the <en#all place. ;ou see Burnets car in front. Shes been in there an hour.% Vasco fro"ne#. $Whats 'oin on?% She shoo& her hea#. $I coul# 'et the #irectional mi&e, but "e have to be strai'ht on to the "in#o"s, an# I fi'ure# /ou #i#nt "ant me to pull up closer.% $ i'ht, I #ont.% Vasco leane# bac& in his seat. 0e 'ave a lon' si'h. 0e loo&e# at his "atch. $Well, "e cant 'o in there.% Bount/ hunters "ere permitte# to enter the premises of the fu'itive, even "ithout a search "arrant, but the/ coul# not enter the premises of thir# parties, even if the/ &ne" the fu'itive "as there. $Sooner or later,% he sai#, $the/ 'otta come out. )n# "hen the/ #o, "ell be here.% 305GF !erar# "as tire#. 0e ha# been fl/in' for an hour since his last stop, "hich ha# been somethin' of a #isaster. Shortl/ after #a"n, he ha# lan#e# at a complex of buil#in's "here he smelle# foo#. The buil#in's "ere ma#e of "oo# "ith fa#e# paint. There "ere ol# cars "ith 'rass 'ro"in' up aroun# them. (ar'e animals ma#e snortin' soun#s behin# a fence. 0e stoo# on a fencepost an# "atche# a /oun' bo/ in blue coveralls "al&in' out "ith a buc&et in his han#. !erar# smelle# foo#. $Im hun'r/,% he sai#. The /oun' bo/ turne#. 0e loo&e# aroun# briefl/, then continue# on his "a/. $I "ant foo#,% !erar# sai#. $I am hun'r/.% The bo/ pause# a'ain. 0e loo&e# aroun# a'ain. $Whats the matter, #ont /ou &no" ho" to tal&?% !erar# sai#. $;es,% the &i# sai#. $Where are /ou?% $0ere.% The &i# s=uinte#. 0e "al&e# over to the fence. $*/ name is !erar#.%

$No &i##in'7 ;ou can tal&7% $0o" thrillin' for /ou,% !erar# sai#. 0e coul# smell the buc&et stron'l/ no". 0e smelle# corn an# other 'rains. 0e coul# also smell somethin' else that smelle# ba#. But his hun'er over"helme# him. $I "ant foo#.% $What foo# #o /ou "ant?% the &i# sai#. 0e reache# into the buc&et an# scoope# up a han#ful of fee#. $;ou "ant this?% !erar# bent over, taste# it. 0e spit it out at once. $;uc&7% $Its chic&en fee#. Nothin' "ron' "ith it. The/ eat it.% $Bo /ou have an/ fresh ve'etables?% The &i# lau'he#. $;oure funn/. ;ou soun# li&e British. Whats /our name?% $!erar#. )n oran'e? Bo /ou have an oran'e?% 0e hoppe# bac& an# forth on the fencepost, impatient. $I li&e an oran'e.% $0o" come /ou tal& so 'oo#?% $I coul# as& the same of /ou.% $;ou &no" "hat? Im 'oin' to sho" /ou to m/ #a#,% the &i# sai#. 0e hel# out his han#. $;oure tame, arent /ou?% $Sin& me7% !erar# steppe# on his han#. The &i# put !erar# on his shoul#er. 0e starte# "al&in' bac& to the "oo#en buil#in'. $I bet "e can sell /ou for a lot of mone/,% he sai#. !erar# 'ave a s=ua"& an# fle" up to the roof of one buil#in'. $0e/7 3ome bac&7% :rom insi#e the house, a voice> $+are#, #o /our chores7% !erar# "atche# as the &i# reluctantl/ turne# bac& to a #irt /ar#, "here he tosse# han#fuls of the 'rain from the buc&et onto the 'roun#. ) 'roup of /ello" bir#s cluc&e# an# @umpe# as the foo# "as thro"n to them. The/ loo&e# incre#ibl/ stupi#. It too& a moment before !erar# #eci#e# that he "oul# eat that foo#, after all. 0e fle" #o"n an# ma#e a lou# s=ua"& to #rive a"a/ the stupi# bir#s, then starte# eatin' their 'rain. It taste#

#is'ustin', but he ha# to eat somethin'. *ean"hile the &i# #ive# for him, han#s outstretche#. !erar# fle" into the air, pec&e# the &i# har# on the nosethe &i# screame#an# then #roppe# #o"n a short #istance a"a/, to eat a'ain. These bi' /ello" bir#s "ere all aroun# him. $!et bac&7 !et bac&, all of /ou7% The /ello" bir#s pai# little attention. !erar# ma#e the soun# of a siren. The &i# #ive# a'ain, barel/ missin' !erar#. 0e "as obviousl/ a stupi# &i#. $Buffetin'7 Buffetin'7 T"ent/ thousan# feet, buffetin'7 I am 'oin' to push the stic& for"ar#% Then the soun# of a hu'e, air,shatterin' explosion. The chic&ens scattere# at that, an# he ha# a moment of peace, eatin' a little. No" the &i# "as bac& "ith a net, an# "as s"ipin' #o"n"ar# "ith it. That "as too much excitement for !erar#, "ho "as feelin' sic& in the stomach from the horri# foo#, so he fle" =uic&l/ into the air, evacuatin' an# hittin' the &i# perfectl/ on the hea#, before he climbe# into blue s&/ an# "ent on his "a/.

T"ent/ minutes later, in cooler air, he came to the coast an# follo"e# it. It "as easier here, because there "ere up#rafts, a blessin' to his tire# "in's. 0e coul# not soar, but it helpe# nonetheless. 0e experience# a mo#est sense of peace. )t least, he #i# until some 'iant "hite bir#enormousl/ hu'e, 'i'anticrushe# silentl/ up at him, "hooshin' past, creatin' spinnin' turbulence that tumble# him out of control. When !erar# 'ot his bearin's a'ain, the bir# ha# 'li#e# a"a/ from him on hu'e flat "in's. There "as a sin'le e/e in the center of the hea#9 it 'linte# in the sun. )n# the "in's never move#9 the/ @ust remaine# strai'ht an# flat. !erar# "as 'rateful there "as not a floc& of these bir#s, but instea# onl/ one. 0e "atche# as it circle# slo"l/ to"ar# the 'roun# belo". )n# that "as "hen he notice# the beautiful 'reen oasis in the mi#st of the #r/ coast. )n oasis7 It "as built at the site of a lar'e cluster of hu'e boul#ers. Surroun#in' the boul#ers "ere palm trees an# luscious 'ar#ens an# prett/ buil#in's nestle# amon' the 'reen. !erar# felt certain that there "oul# be foo# there. It "as so invitin', he spirale# #o"n.

It "as a &in# of #ream. Beautiful people in "hite robes "al&in' silentl/ throu'h a 'ar#en of flo"ers an# shrubs, in the cool sha#e of palm trees, "ith all sorts of bir#s flitterin' about. 0e #i# not smell foo# here, but he "as sure there must be some. )n# then he smelle#oran'e7 3ut oran'e7 It too& him onl/ a moment to locate another bir#, brilliant blue an# re#, stan#in' on a perch "ith

lots of oran'es all aroun# him on a tra/ belo". 8ran'es, an# avoca#o, an# bits of lettuce. 3autiousl/, !erar# lan#e# next to him. $I "ant /ou to "ant me,% he sai#. $0el,lo,% blue,an#,re# bir# sai#. $I nee# /ou to nee# me.% $0el,lo.% $Nice place /ou 'ot here. */ name is !erar#.% $)aah, "hats up, #oc?% the bir# sai#. $*in# if I have an oran'e?% $0el,lo,% the bir# sai#. $)aah, "hats up #oc?% $I sai#, I "oul# li&e an oran'e.% $0el,lo.% !erar# lost patience. 0e "ent for the oran'e. The blue,an#,re# bir# pec&e# at him viciousl/9 !erar# #o#'e# an# flappe# a"a/ "ith the oran'e in his mouth. 0e sat on a tree branch an# loo&e# bac&. That "as "hen he sa" that the other bir# "as chaine# to the perch. !erar# ate the oran'e at his leisure. Then he fle" bac& for more. 0e came at the perch from behin#, then later from the si#e. 0e fle" in unexpecte#l/, each time #o#'in' the bir#, "ho coul# onl/ sa/, $0el, lo7% )fter half an hour, he "as =uite satisfie#. *ean"hile, he "atche# the people in "hite robes come an# 'o, tal&in' of N/Nuil an# +ell,8. 0e sai#, $+ell,8, the tast/ #essert for the "hole famil/, no" "ith more calci,/um7% T"o of the people in robes loo&e# up. Someone lau'he#. Then continue# on their "a/. This place "as peaceful9 the "ater 'ur'le# in little broo&s besi#e the path. 0e "oul# sta/ here, !erar# felt certain, for a lon', lon' time. 305GM 8&a/, "e 'ot action,% Vasco sai#. T"o /oun' &i#s "ere comin' out of the <en#all house. 8ne "as a #ar& &i# in a baseball cap, sort of bo"le''e#. The other "as fair, also in a baseball cap. Wearin' &ha&is an# a sport shirt. $(oo&s li&e +amie,% he sai#, puttin' the car in 'ear.

The/ #rove slo"l/ for"ar#. $I #ont &no",% Boll/ sai#. $Boesnt loo& =uite the same.% $Its the baseball hat. +ust as& him,% Vasco sai#. Boll/ rolle# #o"n her "in#o". She leane# out. $+amie, hone/?% The bo/ turne#. $;es?% he sai#. Boll/ @umpe# out of the car.

0enr/ <en#all "as "or&in' at the computer, activatin' the Trac&Tech, "hen he hear# the hi'h, pitche# scream from outsi#e. 0e &ne" at once that it "as Bave. 0e bolte# up an# ran for the #oor. Behin# him "as (/nn, runnin' from the &itchen. But he notice# that )lex sta/e# in the &itchen, "ith her arms aroun# her son, +amie. She loo&e# terrifie#.

Bave "as confuse# b/ "hat he sa". +amie spo&e to the "oman in the bi' "hite car, an# then she @umpe# out an# 'rabbe# him. Bave "as not incline# to attac& females, so he "atche# as the "oman scoope# up +amie, too& him to the bac& of the "hite car, an# opene# the bac& #oors. Bave sa" a man insi#e in a "hite coat, an# he sa" lots of shin/ e=uipment that fri'htene# him. +amie must have been fri'htene#, too, because su##enl/ he "as screamin', an# then the "oman slamme# the bac& #oors shut. Before the car starte# movin', Bave screame# an# leape# onto the bac&, 'rabbin' the han#les on the #oor. The "hite car accelerate# for"ar#, 'oin' fast. Bave hel# on, stru''lin' to &eep his balance. When he ha# a 'oo# 'rip, he pulle# up, so he coul# loo& throu'h the rear "in#o"s. 0e sa" the man in the coat an# the "oman pushin' +amie onto a be#, tr/in' to tie him #o"n. +amie "as screamin'. Bave felt ra'e floo# throu'h his bo#/. 0e snarle# an# ban'e# at the #oors. The "oman loo&e# up in alarm. She seeme# shoc&e# to see Bave. She /elle# somethin' to the #river. The #river starte# to s"erve the "hite car. Bave "as flun' si#e"a/s, barel/ able to hol# on to the recesse# #oor han#les. When the car s"un' him bac& once more, he reache# hi'h, 'rabbin' the li'hts above the #oors. 0e pulle# himself onto the top of the ambulance. The "in# ble" har#. The surface "as smooth. 0e la/ flat, inchin' for"ar#. The car strai'htene# out, #rove more slo"l/. 0e hear# /ellin' insi#e. 0e crept for"ar#.

$We lost him7%Boll/ /elle#, loo&in' out the bac& "in#o". $What "as it?% $(oo&e# li&e an ape7% $0es not an ape9 hes m/ frien#7% +amie /elle#, stru''lin'. $0e 'oes to school "ith me.% The &i#s baseball cap fell off, an# Boll/ sa" that he ha# #ar& bro"n hair. She sai#, $Whats /our name?% $+amie. +amie <en#all.% $8h no,% she sai#. $)" 3hrist,% Vasco sai#, #rivin'. $;ou 'ot the "ron' &i#?% $0e sai# his name "as +amie7% $Its the "ron' &i#. +esus 3hrist, /oure an i#iot, Boll/. This is &i#nappin'.% $Well, its not m/ fault% $Whose fault #o /ou thin& it is?% $;ou sa" the &i# too.% $I #i#nt see% $;ou "ere loo&in' ri'ht out there.% $3hrist, shut up. Stop ar'uin'. We 'otta ta&e him bac&.% $What #o /ou mean?% $We 'otta ta&e him bac& "here "e foun# him. Its 'o##amn &i#nappin'.% )n# then Vasco s"ore, an# screame#.

Bave "as on the roof of the cab, "e#'e# bet"een the li'ht bar an# the slope of the ambulance. 0e leane# over the #rivers si#e. There "as a bi' si#e mirror there. 0e coul# see an u'l/ blac&, bear#e# man, #rivin' an# shoutin'. 0e &ne" the man "as 'oin' to hurt +amie. 0e coul# see the

man barin' his teeth in a si'n of ra'e. Bave leane# #o"n, restin' his "ei'ht on the si#e mirror, an# s"un' his arm in throu'h the open "in#o". 0is stron' fin'ers 'rabbe# the bear#e# man b/ the nose, an# the man /elle# an# @er&e# his hea#. Baves fin'ers slippe#, but he lun'e# bac& an# bit #o"n har# on the mans ear, an# hel# on. The man "as screamin' at him in ra'e. Bave coul# feel that ra'e, but he ha# plent/ of his o"n. 0e pulle# har#, an# felt the ear come a"a/ "ith a 'ush of hot bloo#. The man screame#, an# spun the "heel.

The ambulance tilte#, the left "heels came up off the 'roun#, an# the vehicle slo"l/ turne# over an# crashe# #o"n on its ri'ht si#e. The soun# of screechin' metal "as incre#ibl/ lou#. Bave "as ri#in' the ambulance #o"n as it fell, but he lost his 'rip on impact. 0is feet slamme# into the face of the bear#e# man an# one of his shoes "ent ri'ht into his mouth. The vehicle sli# to a stop on its si#e. The man "as bitin' an# cou'hin'. The "oman insi#e "as screamin'. Bave pulle# his foot out of his shoe, leavin' it in the bear#e# mans mouth. Bloo# "as 'ushin' ever/"here from the mans ear. 0e /an&e# off the other shoe, scampere# aroun# to the bac& of the ambulance, an# mana'e# "ith some effort to 'et the #oors open. The "hite,coat man "as l/in' on his si#e, blee#in' from his mouth. +amie "as un#erneath the man, /ellin'. Bave #ra''e# the "hite,coat man out of the car, #roppe# him onto the street. Then he "ent an# 'ot +amie, put him on his bac&, an# ran, carr/in' him bac& to their house. +amie sai#, $)re /ou hurt?% The ear "as still in Baves mouth. 0e spit it into his han#. $No.% $Whats that in /our han#?% Bave opene# his fist. $Its an ear.% $.'h. Eeee"7% $I bit his ear. 0e "as ba#. 0e hurte# /ou.% $.c&7% .p ahea#, the/ sa" ever/bo#/ stan#in' out on the front la"n of their house. 0enr/ an# (/nn an# the ne" people, too. Bave put +amie on the 'roun#, an# he ran to his parents. Bave "aite# for his mother, (/nn, to comfort him, but she "as entirel/ focuse# on +amie. It ma#e him feel ba#. 0e #roppe# the ear in his han# on the 'roun#. Ever/bo#/ "as s"irlin' aroun# him, but nobo#/ touche# him, nobo#/ put their fin'ers in his fur.

0e felt more an# more sa#. Then he sa" the box/ blac& car barrelin' #o"n the street to"ar# them. It "as hu'e, hi'h off the 'roun#, an# it #rove ri'ht up onto the la"n. 305G6 The 8xnar# courtroom "as small an# so col# Bob <och thou'ht he "oul# catch pneumonia. 0e "as feelin' none too 'oo# an/"a/. 0is han'over ha# left a ver/ sour feelin' in his stomach. The @u#'e "as a /oun'ish 'u/, about fort/, an# he loo&e# hun'over, too. But ma/be not. <och cleare# his throat. $;our 0onor, I am here representin' )lexan#ra Burnet, "ho is unable to be here in person.% $This court has or#ere# her to appear,% the @u#'e sai#. $In person.% $I am a"are of that, ;our 0onor, but she an# her chil# are presentl/ bein' pursue# b/ a bount/ hunter "ho inten#s to remove tissue from their bo#ies, an# she is therefore in fli'ht to prevent that.% $What bount/ hunter?% the @u#'e sai#. $Wh/ is there a bount/ hunter involve# in this?% $We "oul# li&e to &no" exactl/ that, ;our 0onor,% Bob <och sai#. The @u#'e turne#. $*r. o#ri'ue1?% $;our 0onor,% o#ri'ue1 sai#, stan#in', $there is no bount/ hunter per se.% $Well, "hat is there?% $There is a professional fu'itive,recover/ a'ent at "or&.% $With "hat authori1ation?% $0e is not authori1e# per se. In this case he is ma&in' a citi1ens arrest, ;our 0onor.% $)rrest of "hom?% $8f *s. Burnet an# her son.% $8n "hat basis?% $-ossession of stolen propert/, ;our 0onor.% $To ma&e a citi1ens arrest, the possession of stolen propert/ has to be "itnesse# b/ the person ma&in' the arrest.%

$;es, ;our 0onor.% $What has been "itnesse#?% $The possession of the propert/ in =uestion, ;our 0onor.% $;ou are tal&in' about the Burnet cell line,% the @u#'e sai#. $;es, ;our 0onor. )s previousl/ #ocumente# before this court, that cell line is o"ne# b/ .3() an# license# to Bio!en, in Westvie". The o"nership is atteste# to b/ several prior court rulin's.% $0o", then, is it stolen?% $;our 0onor, "e have evi#ence that *r. Burnet conspire# to eliminate the cell lines in possession of Bio!en. But "hether that is true or not, Bio!en has the ri'ht to restore the cell lines that it o"ns.% $It can restore them from *r. Burnet.% $;es, ;our 0onor. -resumabl/ so, since the court has rule# that *r. Burnets cells belon' to Bio!en, the/ can at an/ time ta&e more. Whether the propert/ is actuall/ "ithin *r. Burnets bo#/ or not is immaterial. Bio!en o"ns the cells.% $;ou are #en/in' *r. Burnets ri'ht to the inte'rit/ of his bo#/?% the @u#'e sai#, raisin' an e/ebro". $With respect, ;our 0onor, there is no such ri'ht. Suppose someone too& /our "ifes #iamon# rin' an# s"allo"e# it. The rin' is still /our propert/.% $;es,% the @u#'e sai#, $but I mi'ht be re=uire# to "ait patientl/ for it to reappear.% $;es, ;our 0onor. But suppose for some reason the rin' becomes stuc& in the intestine. Bont /ou have the ri'ht to retrieve it? 3learl/, /ou #o. It cant be &ept from /ou. Its /our propert/ "herever it is. Whoever s"allo"s it assumes the ris& of retrieval.% <och thou'ht he# better move in. $;our 0onor,% he sai#, $if I remember m/ hi'h school biolo'/ correctl/, an/thin' s"allo"e# is not actuall/ insi#e the bo#/, an/ more than somethin' insi#e a #ou'hnut hole is insi#e the #ou'hnut. The rin' is outsi#e the bo#/.% o#ri'ue1 be'an to sputter. $;our 0onor% $;our 0onor,% <och sai#, raisin' his voice, $I trust "e can all a'ree that "e are not tal&in' about #iamon# rin's that have been stolen. We are tal&in' about cells that resi#e insi#e the human bo#/. The notion that these cells can be o"ne# b/ someone elseeven if the appellate

court has uphel# a @ur/ fin#in'lea#s to absur# conclusions, as /ou see here. If Bio!en no lon'er possesses *r. Burnets cells, then the/ have lost them b/ their o"n foolish actions. The/ are not entitle# to 'o bac& an# 'et more. If /ou lose /our #iamon# rin', /ou cant 'o bac& to the #iamon# mine an# 'et a replacement.% o#ri'ue1 sai#, $The analo'/ is inexact.% $;our 0onor, all analo'ies are inexact.% $In this instance,% o#ri'ue1 sai#, $I "oul# as& the court to stic& narro"l/ to the issue at han#, an# consi#er the previous fin#in's of the court that are relevant to the issue. The court has hel# that Bio!en o"ns these cells. The/ came from *r. Burnet but the/ are the propert/ of Bio!en. We ar'ue that "e have the ri'ht to retrieve these cells at an/ time.% $;our 0onor, this ar'ument #irectl/ conflicts "ith the Thirteenth )men#ment, a'ainst chattel slaver/. Bio!en ma/ o"n *r. Burnets cells. But the/ #ont o"n *r. Burnet. The/cant. % $We never claime# to o"n *r. Burnet, onl/ his cells. )n# that is all "e are as&in' for no",% o#ri'ue1 sai#. $But the practical conse=uence of /our claim is that /ou effectivel/ o"n *r. Burnet, since /ou#o claim access to his bo#/ at an/ time% The @u#'e "as loo&in' "ear/. $!entlemen, I see the issue,% he sai#, $but "hat #oes an/ of this have to #o "ith *s. Burnet an# her son?%

Bob <och steppe# bac&. (et o#ri'ue1 bur/ himself on this one, he thou'ht. The conclusion he "as as&in' the court to #ra" "as inconceivable. $;our 0onor,% o#ri'ue1 sai#, $if the court accepts that *r. Burnets cells are m/ clients propert/, as I believe it must, then sai# cells are m/ clients propert/ "herever the/ are foun#. :or example, if *r. Burnet 'ave bloo# at a bloo# ban&, the #onate# bloo# "oul# contain cells that "e o"n. We coul# assert o"nership of those cells, an# #eman# to extract them from the #onate# bloo#, since *r. Burnet is not le'all/ able to 'ive those cells to an/one else. The/ are our propert/. $Similarl/, the same cells that "e o"nthe i#entical cellsare also foun# in *r. Burnets chil#ren an# #escen#ants. Therefore "e have o"nership of those cells as "ell. )n# "e have the ri'ht to ta&e the cells.% $)n# the bount/ hunter?% $The fu'itive,recover/ specialist,% o#ri'ue1 sai#, $is ma&in' a citi1ens arrest on the follo"in' basis. If he sees *r. Burnets #escen#ants, then, since the/ are b/ #efinition "al&in' aroun# "ith

our propert/, the/ are self,evi#entl/ in possession of stolen propert/, an# can be arreste#.% The @u#'e si'he#. $;our 0onor,% o#ri'ue1 sai#, $this conclusion ma/ stri&e the court as illo'ical, but the fact is that "e are in a ne" era, an# "hat seems stran'e to us no" "ill in a fe" /ears not seem so stran'e. )lrea#/ a lar'e percenta'e of the human 'enome is o"ne#. The 'enetic information for various #isease or'anisms is o"ne#. The notion that such biolo'ical elements are in private han#s is onl/ o## because it is ne" to us. But the court must rule in accor#ance "ith previous fin#in's. The Burnet cells are our cells.% $But in the case of #escen#ants, the cells are copies,% the @u#'e sai#. $;es, ;our 0onor, but that is not at issue. If I o"n a formula to ma&e somethin', an# someone Jeroxes that formula on a sheet of paper an# 'ives it to another, it remains m/ propert/. I o"n the formula, no matter ho" it is copie#, or b/ "hom. )n# I have the ri'ht to retrieve the cop/.% The @u#'e turne# to Bob <och. $*r. <och?%

$;our 0onor,*r. o#ri'ue1 has as&e# /ou to rule narro"l/. So #o I. -revious courts hel# that once *r. Burnets cells "ere out of his bo#/, the/ no lon'er belon'e# to him. The/ #i# not sa/ that *r. Burnet "as a "al&in' 'ol# mine that coul# be plun#ere# at "ill, a'ain an# a'ain, b/ Bio!en. )n# the/ certainl/ sai# nothin' to impl/ that Bio!en ha# a ri'ht to ph/sicall/ ta&e these cells no matter "ho carrie# them. That claim 'oes far be/on# an/ implication of the courts prior fin#in'. It is, in fact, a ne" claim ma#e out of nothin' but "ishful thin&in'. )n# "e as& the court to re=uire Bio!en to call off this bount/ hunter.% The @u#'e sai#, $I #o not un#erstan# on "hat basis Bio!en has simpl/ acte# on its o"n, *r. o#ri'ue1. This appears hast/ an# un"arrante#. ;ou coul# certainl/ "ait for *s. Burnet to appear before this court.% $.nfortunatel/, ;our 0onor, that is not possible. The business situation of m/ client is critical. )s I sai# to /ou, "e believe "e are victims of a conspirac/ to #eprive us of "hat is ours. Without 'oin' into #etails, it is ur'ent that the cells be replace# imme#iatel/. If the court forces a #ela/, "e ma/ lose an enormous business un#erta&in' in the mean"hile, such that our compan/ 'oes out of business. We merel/ attempt a timel/ response to an ur'ent problem.%

Bob coul# tell the @u#'e "as 'oin' for it. )ll that timeliness crap "as "or&in' on him9 he #i#nt "ant to be responsible for puttin' a 3alifornia biotech compan/ out of business. The @u#'e s"ivele# in his chair, 'lance# at the "all cloc&, s"ivele# bac&. Bob ha# to pull it out. )n# he ha# to #o it no".

$;our 0onor,% he sai#, $there is an a##itional issue that bears on /our #ecision. I "oul# li&e to brin' to /our attention the follo"in' affi#avit from Bu&e .niversit/ *e#ical 3enter, #ate# to#a/.% 0e han#e# a cop/ to o#ri'ue1. $I "ill summari1e the contents for ;our 0onor, an# ho" it affects the issue before /ou.% Burnets cell line, he explaine#, "as capable of ma&in' lar'e =uantities of a chemical calle# c/totoxicT() VB, a potent anticarcino'en. It "as that chemical that ma#e Bio!ens cell line so valuable. $0o"ever, last "ee& the ..S. -atent 8ffice issue# a patent for the 'eneT() F). This is a promoter 'ene that co#es for an en1/me that snips out a h/#rox/ 'roup from the center of a protein calle# c/totoxic T,l/mphoc/te associate# protein FB. This protein is the precursor of c/totoxicT() VB, "hich forms "hen the h/#rox/ 'roup is remove#. .nless the h/#rox/ 'roup is snippe# out, the protein has no biolo'ical activit/. So the 'ene that controls the manufacture of Bio!ens pro#uct is o"ne# b/ Bu&e .niversit/, an# the/ assert o"nership in the #ocument no" in /our han#s.% o#ri'ue1 "as turnin' ver/ re#. $;our 0onor,% he sai#, $this is an attempt to confuse "hat shoul# be a ver/ simple case. I "oul# ur'e that /ou% $It is simple,% Bob a'ree#. $.nless Bio!en ma&es a licensin' a'reement "ith Bu&e, the/ cannot use the en1/me ma#e b/ the Bu&e 'ene. The en1/me an# its pro#uct are o"ne# b/ someone else.% $But this is% $Bio!en o"ns a cell, ;our 0onor,% Bob sai#. $But not all the 'enes insi#e that cell.% The @u#'e loo&e# a'ain at the cloc&. $I "ill ta&e this un#er a#visement,% he sai#, $an# 'ive /ou m/ rulin' tomorro".% $But ;our 0onor% $Than& /ou, 'entlemen. )r'uments are conclu#e#.% $But ;our 0onor, "e have a "oman an# her son bein' houn#e#% $I believe I un#erstan# the issue. I nee# to un#erstan# the la". I "ill see /ou tomorro", counselors.% 305GV The <en#all "ere screamin' as the 0ummer race# for"ar#, but Vasco Bor#en, snarlin' throu'h his achin' teeth, one han# hol#in' the ban#a'e a'ainst his blee#in' ear, &ne" "hat he "as #oin'. 0e #rove the car up onto the la"n an# pulle# to a stop, bloc&in' the front #oor. Then he

an# Boll/ @umpe# out, 'rabbe# )lexs +amie off the la"n, pushe# the &i#s stunne# mother to the 'roun#, leapt bac& into the 0ummer, an# roare# off. While the others @ust stoo# there an# stare#. $+ust li&e that, bab/,% Vasco sai#, shoutin'. $If /oure not insi#e the house, /oure mine.% 0e roare# off #o"n the street. $We lost our ambulance, so "e 'o to plan B.% 0e loo&e# bac& over his shoul#er. $Boll/, hone/, 'et the next operatin' room 'oin'. Tell em "ell be there in t"ent/ minutes. 8ne hour from no", this is all a #one #eal. %

0enr/ <en#all "as in shoc&. There ha# been a &i#nappin' ri'ht on his front la"n9 he ha#nt rushe# for"ar# to stop it9 his o"n son "as sobbin' an# clutchin' his mother9 an# Bave ha# #roppe# some 'u/s ear on the la"n9 the other &i#s mother "as 'ettin' to her feet, screamin' for the cops, but the 0ummer "as 'one, #o"n the street an# aroun# the corner, an# 'one. 0e felt "ea& an# emasculate#, as if he# someho" #one somethin' "ron', an# he "as embarrasse# to be aroun# (/nns frien#, so he "ent insi#e an# sat #o"n a'ain at the computer. It "as @ust "here he ha# been sittin' five minutes before, "hen Bave screame# an# all this starte#. 0e still ha# the Trac&Tech "eb site up, "here he# entere# the names an# the serial numbers. 0e ha# #one it for Bave, an# for +amie, but he ha#nt #one it for the other +amie. :eelin' ba#, he #i# it no". The "eb site s"itche# to a blan&, featureless map, "ith an entr/ spot "here /ou t/pe# in the unit /ou "ere loo&in' for. The first unit he entere# "as +amie Burnets. If the sensor "as operatin', he "oul# have seen it movin' #o"n the street. But the blue spot "asnt movin', it "as static. The a##ress sho"e# KFG *arbur/ *a#ison Brive, "hich "as his o"n house. 0e loo&e# aroun# the livin' room an# sa" +amies "hite snea&ers over in the corner, "ith his little travel ba'. 0e# never even put the snea&ers bac& on. Next, he t/pe# in the sensor for his o"n son. Same result. The blue spot "as fixe# at his o"n home a##ress. Then it move# a little. )n# his son +amie "al&e# throu'h the #oor. $Ba#. What are /ou #oin'? The police are outsi#e. The/ "ant to tal& to ever/bo#/.% $8&a/, in a minute.% $0is mom is reall/ upset, Ba#.% $In a minute.% $Shes cr/in'. *om sai# to 'et a tissue.%

$Ill be ri'ht "ith /ou.% Nuic&l/, 0enr/ t/pe# in the thir# serial numberBaves number. The screen "ent blan&. 0e "aite# a moment. 0e sa" the map as it "as re#ra"n. It no" sho"e# roa#s lea#in' north of to"n, in the area of Torre/ -ines. The blue #ot "as movin'. North, Torre/ -ines oa#, ENE, MV mph. )s he "atche#, the #ot turne# off onto !a/lor# oa#, hea#in' inlan#. Someho", Baves sensor "as in the 0ummer. It either came out of his shoe, or the/ ha# ta&en his shoe. But the sensor "as there, an# "or&in'. 0e sai#, $+amie, 'o 'et )lex. Tell her I nee# to see her for a minute.% $But Ba#% $Bo it. )n# #ont sa/ an/thin' to the police.%

)lex stare# at the screen. $Im 'oin' to 'et that son of a bitch an# Im 'oin' to blo" his hea# off. ;ou touch m/ &i#, /oure #ea#.% 0er voice "as flat, col#. 0enr/ felt a chill. She meant it. $Wheres he 'oin'?% she sai#. $0es left the coast an# hea#in' inlan#, but he ma/ @ust be avoi#in' the Bel *ar traffic. 0e ma/ 'o bac& to the coast a'ain. Well &no" in a fe" minutes.% $0o" far a"a/ is he?% $Ten minutes.% $(ets 'o. ;ou brin' that,% she sai#, no##in' to the laptop. $Ill 'et m/ 'un.% 0enr/ loo&e# out the front "in#o". There "ere three cop cars flashin' their li'hts at the curb, an# six cops on the front la"n. $Not that eas/.% $;es, it is. Im par&e# aroun# the corner.% $The/ sai# the/ "ant to see me.% $*a&e an excuse. Ill be in m/ car.%

0e tol# them Bave nee#e# me#ical attention, an# he ha# to ta&e him to the hospital. 0e sai# that his "ife, (/nn, ha# "itnesse# ever/thin' an# coul# tell them "hat ha# ta&en place. 0e sai# he "oul# 'ive a full statement "hen he returne#, but he nee#e# to ta&e Bave to the hospital. Since Baves han#s "ere bloo#/, the/ accepte# it. (/nn 'ave 0enr/ a funn/ loo&. 0e sai#, $Ill be bac& as soon as I can.% 0e "al&e# aroun# the bac& of the house an# cut throu'h the propert/ behin#. Bave follo"e# him. $Where are "e 'oin'?% Bave sai#. $To fin# that 'u/. The 'u/ "ith the blac& bear#.% $0e hurte# +amie.% $;eah, I &no".% $I hurte# him, too.% $;eah, I &no".% $0is ears came off.% $.h,huh.% $Next time his nose.% $Bave,% he sai#. $We nee# to sho" restraint.% $Whats re,straint?% Bave sai#. It "as too complicate# to explain. )lexs "hite To/ota "as up ahea#. The/ 'ot in the car. 0e 'ot in front, Bave 'ot in bac&. $What is this?% Bave sai#, pointin' to the seat besi#e him. $Bont touch it, Bave,% )lex sai#. $Thats a 'un.% She put the car in 'ear an# #rove off.

She calle# Bob <och, on the off chance that he ha# ne"s.

$I #o,% he sai#. $But I "ish it "ere better.% $0e let it 'o?% $0e hel# over until tomorro".% $Bi# /ou tr/% $;eah, I trie#. 0es confuse#. Its not the usual le'al area for 8xnar# @u#'es. Thats probabl/ "h/ the/ file# there.% $So, tomorro"?% $;eah.% $Than&s,% she sai#, an# hun' up. There "as no point in tellin' him "hat she "as about to #o. She "asnt even sure she "oul# #o it. But she thou'ht that she probabl/ "oul#.

0enr/ "as ri#in' shot'un, loo&in' at the computer. No" that he "as out here, in a car, the connection sometimes #roppe# out for a minute or t"o. 0e be'an to "orr/ about losin' it alto'ether. 0e 'lance# bac& at Bave, "ho "as shoeless. $Where are /our shoes?% $The/ came# off.% $Where?% $In the "hite car.% 0e meant the ambulance. $0o"?% $8ne "as in his mouth. The man. Then the car falle#.% $)n# /our shoes came off?% $;es, the/ came# off.% )pparentl/ )lex "as thin&in' the same thin', because she sai#, $Then his shoes are still in the ambulance. Not the 0ummer. Were follo"in' the "ron' car.% $No, the ambulance crashe#. It cant be the ambulance.% $Then the si'nalC% $It must have fallen out of his shoe, an# slippe# into the 'u/s clothes. Someho".%

$Then it coul# slip out a'ain.% $;eah. It coul#.% $8r the/ coul# fin# it.% $;eah.% She #i#nt sa/ an/thin' after that. 0e continue# "atchin' the screen. The blue #ot "ent north, then east. Then north. )n# finall/ east a'ain, passin' ancho Santa :e, 'oin' bac& to the #esert. Then it curve# onto 0i'hlan# Brive. $8&a/,% he sai#. $I &no" "here the/re 'oin'. Solana 3an/on.% $Whats that?% $Its a spa. Ver/ bi'. Ver/ hi'h,en#.% $With #octors?% $Im sure. The/ ma/ even #o sur'er/. *a/be face,lifts, liposuction, somethin' li&e that.% $Then the/ have sur'ical facilities,% she sai# 'riml/. She steppe# on the accelerator.

The one hun#re# acres &no"n as Solana 3an/on represente# a triumph of mar&etin'. 8nl/ a fe" #eca#es earlier the re'ion "as &no"n b/ its ori'inal name, 0ellhole -alms. It "as a flat, boul#er, stre"n re'ion, "ithout a can/on in si'ht. Thus Solana 3an/on ha# no can/on, an# precious little to #o "ith the coastal to"n of Solana Beach. The name simpl/ trac&e# better than the other choices, "hich ha# been )n'el Sprin's, Sen *ountain Vie", 3e#ar Sprin's, an# Silver 0ill )shram. 3ompare# to the other choices, the name Solana 3an/on conve/e# a mute#, un#erstate# =ualit/ in &eepin' "ith a resort that char'e# thousan#s of #ollars a #a/ to re@uvenate the bo#ies, min#s, an# spirits of its clients. This "as accomplishe# throu'h a combination of /o'a, massa'e, me#itation, spiritual counselin', an# #iet help, all #elivere# b/ staff "ho 'reete# 'uests "ith pra/erful han#s an# a heartfelt $Namaste.% Solana 3an/on "as also a favorite spot for celebrities to #r/ out. )lex #rove ri'ht past the a#obe,st/le main 'ate, artfull/ conceale# behin# 'iant palms. The/ "ere follo"in' the trac&in' si'nal, "hich "as 'oin' aroun# the bac& of the resort. $0es ta&in' the service entrance,% 0enr/ sai#. $;ouve been here before?%

$8nce. ) lecture on 'enetics.% $)n#?% $I "asnt invite# bac&. The/ #i#nt li&e the messa'e. ;ou &no" the ol# sa/in'. -rofessors attribute the intelli'ence of their stu#ents to environment an# the intelli'ence of their chil#ren to 'enes. Same "ith rich people. If /oure rich or 'oo#,loo&in', /ou "ant to hear that /our 'enes ma&e /ou that "a/. That enables /ou to feel inherentl/ superior to other peoplethat /ou #eserve /our success. )n# then /ou can 'ive other people as much crap as /ouhol# on, the/re stoppin'. Slo" #o"n.% $What no"?% she sai#. The/ "ere on a si#e roa#, an# there "as a service entrance up ahea#. $I thin& the/re in the par&in' lot.% $So? (ets 'et them ri'ht there.% $No.% 0e shoo& his hea#. $Theres al"a/s a couple of securit/ 'u/s at the par&in' lot. ;ou sho" a 'un, an# therell be trouble.% 0e "atche# the screen. $Stationar/Cno" movin' a'ain. No" stationar/.% 0e fro"ne#. She sai#, $If theres securit/ 'uar#s, the/ll see +amie stru''lin' "hen he 'ets out.% $*a/be the/ve #ru''e# him. 8rCI #ont &no",% he sai# =uic&l/, seein' the pain on her face. $Wait, movin' a'ain. The/re 'oin' aroun# the bac& roa#.% She put the car in 'ear an# #rove to the service 'ate. The 'ate "as open. Nobo#/ "as on #ut/. She #rove throu'h, into the par&in' lot. The bac& roa# "as at the far corner of the lot. $What #o "e #o?% she sai#. $:ollo" them #o"n the roa#?% $I #ont thin& so. If "e #o, the/ll see us comin'. Better par&.% 0e opene# the #oor. $(ets ta&e a "al& throu'h beautiful Solana 3an/on resort.% 0e loo&e# at her. $;ou 'oin' to leave that shot'un here?% $No,% she sai#. She poppe# open the trun&, foun# a to"el, "rappe# the shot'un in it, an# sai#, $Im rea#/.% $8,&a/,% 0enr/ sai#. $0ere "e 'o.%

$!o##amn it,%Vasco sai#, steppin' on the bra&es. 0e "as #rivin' aroun# the bac& roa# to par& behin# the sur'icenter. The plan "as for Br. *anuel 3a@al to come out of the sur'icenter, slip into the 0ummer, #o the biopsies, an# 'o out a'ain. Nobo#/ sees it, nobo#/s the "iser.

But no" the bac& roa# "as bloc&e#. T"o bac&hoes, #i''in' some bi' trench. No "a/ across, an# no other roa#. ) hun#re# /ar#s from the sur'icenter. $Bamn, #amn, #amn,% he sai#. $Ta&e it eas/, Vasco,% Boll/ sai#. $Its no bi' #eal. If the roa# is bloc&e#, "e @ust "al& to the center, 'o in the rear #oor, an# #o it there.% $Ever/one "ill see us "al&in' throu'h the resort.% $So "hat? Were @ust visitors. Besi#es, ever/bo#/ at this place is completel/ self,absorbe#. The/ have no time to thin& about us. )n# if the/ #i#, an# if the/ #eci#e# to call someone"hich the/ never "oul#the proce#ure# be finishe# before the call "as finishe#. *anuel can #o it faster in there than out here.% $I #ont li&e it.% Vasco loo&e# aroun#, stare# at the roa#, then at the spa 'roun#s. But she "as ri'ht. It "as a =uic& "al& throu'h the 'ar#en. 0e turne# to the &i#. $(isten,% he sai#. $This is ho" it is. Were 'oin' to ta&e a "al&. ;ou @ust be =uiet. )n# ever/thin' "ill be fine.% $Whatre /ou 'oin' to #o?% he sai#. $To me.% $Nothin'. +ust ta&e a little bloo#.% $)re there nee#les?% $+ust a little one, li&e at the #octors.% 0e turne# to Boll/. $8&a/, call *anuel. Tell him "ere comin'. )n# lets 'et 'oin'.%

+amie ha# been #ili'entl/ tau'ht to /ell an# scream an# &ic& if an/one ever trie# to &i#nap him, an# he ha# #one those thin's "hen the/ first 'rabbe# him, but no" he "as ver/ fri'htene#, an# he "as afrai# the/ "oul# hurt him if he ma#e an/ trouble. So he "al&e# =uietl/ alon' the path of the 'ar#en, "ith the "oman &eepin' her han# on his shoul#er an# the bi' mean 'u/ "al&in' on the other si#e, "earin' a co"bo/ hat so his ear "oul#nt sho". The/ passe# people in bathrobes, "omen mostl/, chattin' an# lau'hin', but nobo#/ reall/ loo&e# at them. The/ "al&e# on throu'h another 'ar#en area, an# then he hear# a voice sa/, $I sa/, #o /ou nee# help "ith /our home"or&?% 0e "as so startle# he stoppe#. 0e loo&e# up. It "as a bir#. ) sort of 'ra/,colore# bir#.

$)re /ou a frien# of Evan?% the bir# sai#. $No,% he sai#. $;oure the same si1e as he is. Whats eleven ta&e a"a/ nine?% +amie "as so surprise#, he @ust stare#. $(ets 'o, #ear,% Boll/ sai#. $Its @ust a bir#.% $+usta bir# 7% the bir# sai#. $Who are /ou callin' abir# ?% $;ou reall/ tal& a lot,% +amie sai#. $)n# /ou #ont,% the bir# sai#. $Who are these people? Wh/ are the/ hol#in' /ou?% $Were not hol#in' him,% Boll/ sai#. $;ou 'entlemen arent reall/ tr/in' to &ill m/ son, are /ou?% the bir# sai#. $)h 3hrist,% Vasco sai#. $)h 3hrist,% the bir# sai#, exactl/ #uplicatin' his voice. $Whats /our name?% $(ets 'et 'oin',% Vasco sai#. $*/ name is +amie,% +amie sai#. $0ello, +amie. Im !erar#,% the bir# sai#. $0ello, !erar#.% $)ll ri'ht,% Vasco sai#. $(ets 'et a move on here.% $That #epen#s on "hos in the sa##le,% !erar# sai#. $Boll/,% Vasco sai#, $"e have to &eep to our sche#ule.% $Well, a bo/s best frien# is his mother,% the bir# sai#, in an o## voice. $Bo /ou &no" m/ mother?% +amie sai#. $No, son,% Boll/ sai#. $0e #oesnt. 0es @ust sa/in' thin's hes alrea#/ hear# before.% $;our stor/ #i#nt soun# =uite ri'ht,% !erar# sai#. )n# in a #ifferent voice> $8h, thats too ba#, /ou 'ot a better one?%

But no" the 'ro"n,ups "ere pushin' +amie for"ar#. 0e #i#nt thin& he coul# sta/ lon'er, an# he #i#nt "ant to ma&e a scene. $B/e, !erar#,% he sai#. $B/e, +amie.% The/ "al&e# on for a "hile. +amie sai#, $0e "as funn/.% $;es he "as, #ear,% Boll/ sai#, &eepin' her han# firml/ on his shoul#er.

3omin' into the 'ar#ens, )lex first passe# the s"immin' pool area. It "as the =uietest s"immin' pool she ha# ever seenno splashin', no noise. -eople la/ in the sun li&e corpses. There "as a cabinet stac&e# "ith to"els an# bathrobes. )lex too& a bathrobe an# #rape# it over her shoul#er, coverin' the to"el,"rappe# shot'un. $0o" #o /ou &no" these thin's?% 0enr/ sai#, "atchin' her. 0e "as nervous. Wal&in' "ith her "hile she carrie# that 'un, an# &no"in' she inten#e# to use it. 0e #i#nt &no" if the bear#e# 'u/ "as arme#, but chances "ere that he "as. $(a" school,% she sai#, lau'hin'. Bave "al&e# a couple of steps behin# them. 0enr/ turne# an# sai#, $<eep up, Bave.% $8&a/C% The/ roun#e# a corner, passe# beneath an a#obe arch"a/, came into another seclu#e# 'ar#en. The air here "as cool, an# the path sha#e#. ) little broo& ran alon'si#e the path. The/ hear# a voice sa/, $*ello" 'reetin's, u&ie #u&ie.% 0enr/ loo&e# up. $What "as that?% $*e.% 0enr/ sai#, $Its a bir#.% $Excuse me,% the bir# sai#, $m/ name is !erar#.% )lex sai#, $8h, a tal&in' parrot.% The parrot sai#, $*/ name is +amie. 0ello, +amie, Im !erar#. 0ello, !erar#.% )lex fro1e, stare#. $Thats +amie7%

$Bo /ou &no" m/ mother?% the bir# sai#, soun#in' exactl/ li&e +amies voice. $+amie7% )lex starte# to shout in the 'ar#en. $+amie7+amie7 % )n# in the #istance, she hear#, $*om7%

Bave too& off, runnin' for"ar#. 0enr/ loo&e# at )lex, "ho stoo# ver/ still. She #roppe# the to"el an# the robe to the 'roun# an# metho#icall/ loa#e# the shot'un. She pulle# the action bar bac& an# for"ar#, ma&in' achun' chun'7 soun#. Then she turne# to 0enr/. $(ets 'o.% She "as ver/ cool. The 'un "as cra#le# in her arm. $;ou ma/ "ant to "al& behin# me.% $.h, o&a/.% She starte# "al&in'. $+amie7% $*om7% She "al&e# faster.

The/ coul#nt have been more than t"ent/ feet from the bac& #oor to the sur'icenterma/be three, four 'oo# paces, no more than that"hen the "hole thin' starte#. )n# Vasco Bor#en "as pisse#. 0is truste# assistant @ust meltin' ri'ht before his e/es. The &i# cries $*om7% an# she lets 'o of him. She @ust stan#s there. (i&e she "as stunne#. $0ol# on to him, #amn it,% he sai#. $What are /ou #oin'?% She #i#nt ans"er. $*om7 *om7% Exactl/ "hat I "as "orrie# about, he thou'ht. 0e ha# an ei'ht,/ear,ol# &i# screamin' for his mother, an# all these "omen in bathrobes "al&in' aroun#. If the/ "erent loo&in' at him an# the &i# before, the/ sure as hell "ere no"pointin' an# tal&in'. Vasco appeare# completel/ out of place, six,four an# bear#e#, #resse# entirel/ in blac&, "ith a blac& co"bo/ hat he ha# to pull #o"n lo" because his #amn ear ha# been bitten off. 0e &ne" he loo&e# li&e a ba# 'u/ in a ba# co"bo/ movie. 0is "oman "asnt helpin'9 she "asnt soothin' the &i# or lea#in' him for"ar#, an# an/ minute he &ne" that &i# "oul# turn an# bolt. Vasco nee#e# to 'et control here. 0e starte# to reach for his 'un, but no" more "omen "ere

comin' out of rooms on all si#eshell, a "hole #amn /o'a class "as empt/in' into the 'ar#en to loo&, to see "h/ some &i# "as hollerin' for his mother. )n# there he "as, the man in blac&. 0e "as scre"e#. $Boll/,% he snappe#, $'o##amn it, pull /ourself to'ether. We have to ta&e this /oun' man into the sur'icenter here% Vasco never finishe# the sentence, because a #ar& shape came strea&in' to"ar# him, leapt into the air, s"un' from a tree branch about ei'ht feet hi'h, an#ri'ht about the time he reali1e# it "as that blac& &i# a'ain, that hair/ &i#, the one that bit off his earthe blac& &i# slamme# into him, har# as a bi' roc& smashin' him full on the chest, an# Vasco stumble# bac&"ar# over some rose bushes an# "ent #o"n on his ass, le's up in the air. )n# that "as it. The &i# bolte#, shrie&in' for his mom. )n# Boll/ su##enl/ starts actin' li&e she #oesnt &no" him, an# hes cut an# scratche#, #ra''in' himself out of the rose bushes "ith no help from her. 3ant "or& up an/ #i'nit/ 'ettin' up to /our feet "ith /our ass full of thorns. )n# theres at least a hun#re# people "atchin' him. )n# an/ minute, securit/ 'uar#s. )n# the blac& mon&e/,loo&in' &i# is 'one. 3ant see him an/"here. Vasco reali1es that hes 'ot to 'et out of there. Its finishe#9 its a fuc&in' #isaster. Boll/ is still fro1en li&e the fuc&in' Statue of (ibert/, so he starts pushin' her, /ellin' at her to 'et movin', that the/ have to leave. )ll the other "omen in the 'ar#en start booin' an# hissin'. Some ol# broa# in a leotar# screams, $Testosterone poisonin'7% )n# the others are /ellin', $(eave her alone7% $3reep7% $)buser7% 0e "ants to /ell bac&, $She "or&s for me7% but of course, she #oesnt an/more. Shes #a1e# an# be"il#ere#. )n# b/ no" the leotar# broa#s are screamin' for the police. So its onl/ 'oin' to 'et "orse.

Boll/ is so slo"9 she mi'ht be sleep"al&in'. Vasco has to 'et out. 0e pushes past her, movin' throu'h the 'ar#en at a half,trot, his onl/ thou'ht no" to 'et a"a/, 'et out of this place. In the next 'ar#en he sees the &i# stan#in' "ith some 'u/, an# in front of the t"o of them he sees the broa# )lex, an# shes hol#in' a fuc&in' sa"e#,off t"elve,'au'e li&e she &no"s ho" to use it han# on the stoc&, han# on the actionan# she sa/s, $If I ever see /our face a'ain, Ill blo" it off, asshole.% Vasco #oesnt ans"er, @ust &eeps movin' past her, an# the next thin' he &no"s, theres a fuc&in' explosion, an# ahea# of him the bushes alon' the path @ust blast a"a/ in a 'reen clou# of

flutterin' petals an# leaves an# #irt. So of course he stops. i'ht there. )n# he turns, slo"l/, &eepin' his han#s a"a/ from his bo#/. She sa/s, $Bi# /ou fuc&in' hear "hat I sai# to /ou?% $;es, maam,% he sa/s. )l"a/s polite to a la#/ "ith a 'un. Especiall/ if shes upset. No" the cro"# is hu'e9 the/re three or four #eep, chatterin' li&e bir#s, cranin' to 'et a loo& at "hat is happenin'. But this broa#s not 'oin' to let it 'o. She /ells at him> $What# I sa/ to /ou?% $;ou sai# if /ou sa" me a'ain, /ou# &ill me.% $Thats ri'ht,% she sa/s. $)n# I "ill. ;ou touch me or m/ son a'ain, an# I "ill fuc&in' &ill /ou.% $;es, maam,% he sa/s. 0e feels the re# rushin' into his face. )n'er, humiliation, ra'e. $;ou can 'o no",% she sa/s, movin' the barrel ever so sli'htl/. She &no"s "hat she is #oin'. ) la"/er "ho 'oes to the shootin' ran'e. The "orst &in#. Vasco no#s an# moves off, =uic&l/ as he can. 0e "ants to 'et a"a/ from her, an# out of si'ht of all those "omen. Its li&e some ni'htmare, all these "omen in robes "atchin' him eat shit. In a moment, hes practicall/ runnin'. Bac& to the 0ummer, a"a/ from this place.

Thats "hen he sa" the blac& &i#, the one "ho loo&e# li&e an ape. In fact, he "as an ape, Vasco "as sure of it, "atchin' the &i# move. )n ape #resse# li&e a &i#. But he "as still an ape. The ape "as circlin' aroun# the 'ar#en. +ust seein' that ape ma#e Vascos hea# throb "here his ear once "as. Without a conscious thou'ht, he pulle# out his pistol an# starte# firin'. 0e #i#nt expect to hit the little fuc&er at this #istance, but he nee#e# to #o somethin'. )n# sure enou'h, the ape ran, scramble#, "ent behin# a "all, an# #isappeare#. Vasco follo"e# him. It "as the #amn la#ies room. But nobo#/ "as aroun#. The li'hts in the bathroom "ere off. 0e coul# see the pool, off to his ri'ht, but nobo#/ "as there no". So nobo#/ "as in the bathroom, except for the ape. 0e hel# his 'un an# move# for"ar#. 3hun' chun'7 0e fro1e. 0e &ne" the soun# of a #ouble,action pump. ;ou never "ent in a room after /ou hear# that soun#. 0e "aite#. $Bo /ou feel luc&/, pun&? Bo /ou?% It "as a rasp/ voice, soun#e# familiar. 0e stoo# there in the #oor"a/ to the "omens bathroom, an'r/ an# afrai#, until he be'an to feel ver/ foolish an# ver/ expose#. $)h, scre" it,% he sai#, an# he turne# an# "ent bac& to his car.

0e #i#nt care about the fuc&in' ape &i#, an/"a/. :rom behin# him a voice sai#, $*/, m/. Such a lot of 'uns aroun# to"n, an# so fe" brains.% 0e spun, loo&e# bac&. But all he sa" "as that bir#, flappin' its "in's as it stoo# on the #oor lea#in' to the bathroom. 0e coul#nt tell "here the voice ha# come from. Vasco hurrie# to his 0ummer. )lrea#/ he "as thin&in' "hat he "oul# tell the la" firm an# the Bio!en people. :act "as, it @ust #i#nt "or& out. The "oman "as arme#, she "as tippe# off, someone ha# tol# her in a#vance. Nothin' Vasco coul# #o about that. 0e "as 'oo# at his @ob, but he coul#nt "or& miracles. The problem la/ "ith "hoever tippe# her off. Before /ou blame me, ta&e a loo& at /ourself. The/ ha# a problem insi#e their or'ani1ation. )n/ho", somethin' li&e that. 305GG )#am Win&lerla/ in the hospital be#, frail an# "ea&. 0e "as bal# an# pale. 0is bon/ han# 'rippe# +oshs. $(isten,% he sai#, $it "asnt /our fault. I "as tr/in' to &ill m/self an/"a/. It "oul# have happene#, no matter "hat. The time /ou 'ave me/ou #i# me a bi' favor. (oo& at me. I #ont "ant /ou blamin' /ourself.% +osh coul#nt spea&. 0is e/es "ere fille# "ith tears. $-romise me /ou "ont blame /ourself.% +osh no##e#. $(iar.% )#am 'ave a "ea& smile. $0o"s /our la"suit?% $8&a/,% +osh sai#. $Some people in Ne" ;or& sa/ "e 'ave their mother )l1heimers. )ctuall/, "e 'ave her "ater.% $;ou 'oin' to "in?% $8h sure.% )#am si'he#. $(iar.% 0is han# relaxe#. $;ou ta&e care, bro.% )n# he close# his e/es. +osh panic&e#, "ipe# his tears a"a/. But )#am "as still breathin'. 0e "as sleepin', ver/ peacefull/. 305GT The 8xnar# @u#'e cou'he# in the chill/ air as he han#e# the rulin' to the assemble# attorne/s. )lex Burnet "as there, alon' "ith Bob <och an# )lbert o#ri'ue1.

$)s /ou can see,% he sai#, $I have rule# that Bio!ens o"nership of *r. Burnets cells #oes not entitle them to ta&e these cells from an/ in#ivi#ual, livin' or #ea#, inclu#in' *r. Burnet himself. 3ertainl/ the cells cannot be ta&en from members of his imme#iate or exten#e# famil/. )n/ contrar/ rulin' "oul# conflict "ith the Thirteenth )men#ment, forbi##in' slaver/. $Within the context of m/ rulin', I observe that this situation has arisen out of confusion from prior court rulin's as to "hat constitutes o"nership in a biolo'ical context. :irst is the notion that material remove# from the bo#/ is A"aste or Alost material, "hich is therefore unimportant to the person from "hom it "as remove#. This vie" is false. If one consi#ers a stillborn fetus, for example, even thou'h it has left the mothers bo#/, "e can "ell intuit that either the mother or other relatives mi'ht feel a stron' attachment to the fetus, an# "ish to control its #isposition, "hether in burial, cremation, or to provi#e tissues for research or to help others. The notion that the hospital or the #octor ma/ #ispose of the fetus as the/ "ish, merel/ because it is outsi#e the bo#/ an# therefore is A"aste material, is clearl/ unreasonable an# inhuman. ) similar lo'ic applies to *r. Burnets cells. Even thou'h the/ are remove# from his bo#/, he "ill ri'htl/ feel that the/ are still his. This is a natural an# common human feelin'. The feelin' "ill not 'o a"a/ simpl/ because the courts rule accor#in' to some other le'al concept shoehorne# in b/ analo'/. ;ou cannot banish human feelin's b/ le'al fiat. ;et this is precisel/ "hat the courts have trie# to #o. $Some courts have #eci#e# tissue cases b/ consi#erin' the tissues to be trash. Some courts have consi#ere# the tissues to be research material a&in to boo&s in a librar/. Some courts consi#er the tissues to be aban#one# propert/ that can be #ispose# of automaticall/ un#er certain circumstances, as rental loc&ers can be opene# after a certain time an# the contents of those loc&ers sol#. Some courts have attempte# to balance competin' claims an# have conclu#e# that the claims of societ/ to research trump the claims of the in#ivi#ual to o"nership. $Each of these analo'ies runs up a'ainst the stubborn fact of human nature. 8ur bo#ies are our in#ivi#ual propert/. In a sense, bo#il/ o"nership is the most fun#amental &in# of o"nership "e &no". It is the core experience of our bein'. If the courts fail to ac&no"le#'e this fun#amental notion, their rulin's "ill be invali#, ho"ever correct the/ ma/ seem "ithin the lo'ic of la". $That is "h/ "hen an in#ivi#ual #onates tissue to a #octor for a research stu#/, it is not the same as #onatin' a boo& to a librar/. It never "ill be. If the #octor or his research institution "ishes later to use that tissue for some other purpose, the/ shoul# be re=uire# to obtain permission for this ne" use. )n# so on, in#efinitel/. If ma'a1ines can notif/ /ou "hen /our subscription runs out, universities can notif/ /ou "hen the/ "ish to use /our tissues for a ne" purpose. $We are tol# this is onerous to me#ical research. The reverse is true. If universities #o not reco'ni1e that people retain a reasonable, an# emotional, interest in their tissue in perpetuit/, then people "ill not #onate their tissues for research. The/ "ill sell them to corporations instea#. )n# their la"/ers "ill refine #ocuments that forbi# the universities to use so much as a bloo# test for an/ purpose at all, "ithout ne'otiate# pa/ment. -atients are not naive an# neither are their attorne/s.

$The cost of me#ical research "ill increase astronomicall/ if ph/sicians an# universities continue to act in a hi'h,han#e# manner. The true social 'oo#, therefore, is to enact le'islation that enables people to maintain #isposition ri'hts to their tissue, forever. $We are tol# that a patients interest in his tissues, an# his ri'ht to privac/, en#s at #eath. That, too, is outmo#e# thin&in' that must chan'e. Because the #escen#ants of a #ea# person share his or her 'enes, their privac/ is inva#e# if research is #one, or if the 'enetic ma&eup of the #ea# person is publishe#. The chil#ren of the #ea# person ma/ lose their health insurance simpl/ because contemporar/ la"s #o not reflect contemporar/ realities. $But in the en#, the Burnet case has 'one a"r/ as it has because of a profoun# an# fun#amental error b/ the courts. Issues of o"nership "ill al"a/s be clou#e# "hen in#ivi#uals are able to manufacture "ithin their bo#ies "hat the court has rule# someone else o"ns. This is true of cell lines9 it is true of 'enes, an# of certain proteins. These thin's cannot reasonabl/ be o"ne#. It is a stan#in' rule of la" that our common herita'e cannot be o"ne# b/ an/ person. It is a stan#in' rule that facts of nature cannot be o"ne#. ;et for more than t"o #eca#es, le'al rulin's have faile# to affirm this concept. -atent court rulin's have faile# to affirm this concept. The resultant confusions "ill onl/ increase "ith time, an# "ith the a#vances of science. -rivate o"nership of the 'enome or of facts of nature "ill become increasin'l/ #ifficult, expensive, obstructive. What has been #one b/ the courts is a mista&e, an# it must be un#one. The sooner the better.%

)lex turne# to Bob <och. $I thin& this @u#'e ha# help,% she sai#. $;eah, coul# be,% Bob sai#. 305T5 ic& Biehl "as tr/in' to &eep it to'ether, but ever/thin' seeme# to be fallin' apart. The maturit/ 'ene "as a #isaster. )n# "orse, Bio!en "as 'ettin' sue# b/ a la"/er in Ne" ;or& "ho "as smart an# unscrupulous. ic&s attorne/s tol# him to settle, but if he #i#, it "oul# ban&rupt the compan/. )lthou'h that "oul# probabl/ happen an/"a/. Bio!en ha# lost the Burnet line, the/ ha# faile# to replace it "ith cells from Burnets &i#, an# no" it loo&e# li&e a ne" patent interfere# "ith their pro#uct, ren#erin' it "orthless. )t Biehls re=uest, his "ife ha# come out of hi#in' an# returne# to to"n. The &i#s "ere at her parents house in *arthas Vine/ar# for the summer. She "as 'oin' to 'et custo#/. 0is attorne/, Barr/ Sin#ler, "as himself facin' a #ivorce, an# #i#nt seem to have time for ic& these #a/s. There "as a bi' uproar over all the 'ene testin' bein' #one for custo#/ cases. Sin#ler ha# been "i#el/ #enounce# for pioneerin' the practice, #eeme# unethical. There "as tal& in 3on'ress of passin' la"s to limit 'enetic testin'. But observers #oubte# 3on'ress "oul# ever act, because the insurance companies "ante# testin'. Which "as onl/ lo'ical, 'iven that insurance companies "ere in the business of not pa/in' claims.

Bra# !or#on ha# left to"n "hile a"aitin' trial. It "as rumore# he "as travelin' aroun# the West, 'ettin' himself into trouble. o#ri'ue1s la" firm ha# presente# Bio!en "ith the first part of their bill, for more than a million #ollars. The/ "ante# another t"o million on retainer, in li'ht of all the pen#in' liti'ation the compan/ face#. ic&s assistant bu11e# him on the intercom. $*r. Biehl, the "oman from BB!, the securit/ compan/, is here to see /ou.% 0e sat up in his chair. 0e remembere# ho" electrif/in' +ac=ueline *aurer "as. She ra#iate# sexualit/ an# sophistication. 0e felt alive @ust bein' "ith her. )n# he ha#nt seen her in "ee&s. $Sen# her in.% 0e stoo# up, hastil/ stuffe# his shirt into his pants, an# turne# to the #oor. ) /oun' "oman of thirt/, "earin' a non#escript blue suit an# carr/in' a briefcase, came into the room. She ha# a pleasant smile, a chubb/ face, an# shoul#er,len'th bro"n hair. $*r. Biehl? Im )n#rea Woo#man, of BB!. Im sorr/ I havent been able to meet "ith /ou earlier but, 'osh, "eve been so bus/ "ith other clients the last fe" "ee&s, this "as the first I coul# come. Im so 'la# to ma&e /our ac=uaintance.% She hel# out her han#. 0e @ust stare#. 3)VE*EN - E:E EB B(8NBES

)nthropolo'ist Notes api# Evolution of (i'ht !ene )re Blon#es eall/ Sexier? ) ne" stu#/ b/ 3ana#ian anthropolo'ist -eter :rost in#icates that European "omen evolve# blue e/es an# blon# hair at the en# of the last Ice )'e as a "a/ to attract mates. The hair color 'ene *3 E evolve# seven variants aroun# EE,555 /ears a'o, he notes. This occurre# extremel/ rapi#l/, in 'enetic terms. 8r#inaril/ such a chan'e "oul# ta&e close to a million /ears. But sexual preference can pro#uce rapi# 'enetic chan'e. 3ompetition b/ "omen for males, "ho "ere in short suppl/ #ue to earl/ #eath in harsh times, le# to the ne" hair an# e/e color. :rosts conclusions are supporte# b/ the "or& of three +apanese universities, "hich fixe# the #ate of the 'enetic mutation for blon#es. :rost suspects that blon#es have sexual appeal because li'ht hair an# e/es are a mar&er for hi'h estro'en levels in "omen, an# hence 'reater fertilit/. But not ever/one a'rees "ith this vie". +o#ie <i##, 4V, the blon# mo#el, sai#, $I #ont thin& bein' a blon#e ma&es /ou more ripe for sexual activit/CBeaut/ is much #eeper than the color of /our hair.% -rofessor :rosts theor/ appeare# in the @ournal Evolution an# 0uman Behavior . 0is research "as corroborate# b/ a W08 stu#/ that pre#icte# the #emise of blon#es b/ 4454. Subse=uent reports conteste# the results of the W08 stu#/ after a .N panel #enie# its accurac/.

305TE :ran& Burnet "al&e# into the star&l/ mo#ern offices of venture capitalist +ac& Watson shortl/ after noon. It "as as he ha# seen it on previous visits. The *ies furniture, the mo#ern arta Warhol paintin' of )lexan#er the !reat, a <oons balloon sculpture, a Tanse/ paintin' of mountain climbers that hun' behin# Watsons #es&. The mute# phones, the bei'e carpetsan# all the stunnin' "omen, movin' =uietl/, efficientl/. 8ne "oman stoo# besi#e Watson "ith her han# on his shoul#er. $)h, :ran&,% Watson sai#. 0e #i# not stan#. $0ave /ou met +ac=ueline *aurer?% $I #ont believe so.% She shoo& his han#. Ver/ cool, ver/ #irect. $*r. Burnet.% $)n# /ou &no" our resi#ent tech 'enius, +imm/ *ax"ell.% Watson no##e# to a &i# in his t"enties, sittin' at the bac& of the room. The &i# ha# thic& horn,rim 'lasses an# "ore a Bo#'ers @ac&et. 0e loo&e# up from his laptop an# "ave# to Burnet. $0o" /a #oin'?% $0i, there,% Burnet sai#. $I as&e# /ou to come in,% Watson sai#, shiftin' in his chair, $because "e are ver/ nearl/ finishe# "ith the entire business. *s. *aurer has @ust ne'otiate# the license a'reement "ith Bu&e .niversit/. 8n extremel/ favorable terms.% The "oman smile#. ) sphinx,li&e smile. $I 'et on "ith scientists,% she sai#. $)n# ic& Biehl,% Watson continue#, $has resi'ne# as the hea# of Bio!en. Win&ler an# the rest of the senior staff have 'one "ith him. *ost of them face le'al troubles, an# I am sa# the compan/ "ill not be able to assist them. If /ou brea& the la", the compan/s insurance polic/ #oes not cover /ou. So the/re on their o"n.% $.nfortunate,% +ac=ueline *aurer sai#. $So it 'oes,% Watson sai#. $But 'iven the present crisis, the Bio!en boar# of #irectors has as&e# me to ta&e over, an# put the compan/ bac& on its feet. I have a'ree# to #o so for an appropriate e=uit/ a#@ustment.% Burnet no##e#. $Then it all "ent accor#in' to plan.% Watson 'ave him an o## loo&. $.h, /es. In an/ case, :ran&, nothin' more prevents /ou from returnin' home to /our famil/. I am sure /our #au'hter an# 'ran#son "ill be happ/ to see /ou.%

$I hope so,% Burnet sai#. $Shes probabl/ an'r/. But itll "or& out. It al"a/s #oes.% $Thats ri'ht,% Watson sai#. Still seate#, he exten#e# his han#, "incin' a little. $Ever/thin' all ri'ht?% :ran& sai#. $Its nothin'. Too much 'olf /ester#a/, I pulle# somethin'.% $But its 'oo# to ta&e time off from "or&.% $So true,% Watson sai#, flashin' his famous smile. $So ver/ true.% 305T4 Bra# !or#on follo"e# the cro"#s that s"arme# to"ar# *i'ht/ <on', the hu'e roller coaster at 3e#ar -oint in San#us&/, 8hio. 0e# been visitin' amusement par&s for "ee&s no"9 this one "as the bi''est an# best in )merica. 0e "as feelin' better9 his @a" "as almost completel/ pain, free no". The onl/ thin' that bothere# him "as he ha# ha# one conversation "ith his la"/er, +ohnson. +ohnson seeme# smart, but Bra# "as uneas/. Wh/ ha#nt his uncle pai# for a first,rate attorne/? 0e al"a/s ha# before. Bra# ha# the va'ue feelin' that his life "as on some sort of &nife,e#'e. But he pushe# all those thou'hts asi#e as he loo&e# at the trac& far above him, an# the people shrie&in' as their cars "ent b/. This roller coaster7 *i'ht/ <on'7 With more than four hun#re# feet of #rop, it 'ave plent/ of cause for people to scream. The line of ea'er tic&et,hol#ers bu11e# "ith anticipation. Bra# "aite#, as "as his custom, until t"o ver/ cute /oun' 'irls 'ot on line. The/ "ere local &i#s, raise# in a mil& bottle, health/ an# pin&,s&inne#, "ith little bu##in' breasts an# s"eet faces. 8ne 'irl ha# braces, "hich "as @ust a#orable. 0e sta/e# behin# them, happil/ listenin' to their hi'h,pitche#, inane chatter. Then he screame# "ith the rest of them, as he too& the fantastic #rop. The ri#e left him shiverin' "ith a#renaline an# pent,up excitement. 0e felt a bit "ea& as he climbe# out of the car an# "atche# the 'irls roun# little buns as the/ "al&e# a"a/ from the coaster, to"ar# the exit. Wait7 The/ "ere 'oin' a'ain7 -erfect7 0e follo"e# them, 'ettin' on line a secon# time. 0e "as feelin' #ream/, catchin' his breath, lettin' his e/es #rift over the soft curls of their hair, the frec&les on their shoul#ers, reveale# b/ their halter tops. 0e "as startin' to fantasi1e about "hat it "oul# be li&e "ith one of themhell, "ith both of them"hen a man steppe# for"ar# an# sai#, $3ome "ith me, please.% Bra# blin&e#, 'uilt/ from his reverie. $Im sorr/?% $Woul# /ou come "ith me, sir?% It "as a han#some, confi#ent face, one encoura'in' him, smilin'. Bra# "as instantl/ suspicious. 8ften cops acte# frien#l/ an# polite. 0e ha#nt #one

an/thin' "ith these 'irls, he "as sure of it. 0e ha#nt touche# them, ha#nt sai# an/thin' $Sir? -lease? Its important if /ou "oul# step over hereC+ust over hereC% Bra# loo&e# an# sa", to one si#e, some people "earin' "hat appeare# to be uniforms, ma/be securit/ uniforms, an# a couple of men in "hite coats, li&e people from a sanitarium. )n# there "as a television cre", or a camera cre" of some &in#, filmin'. )n# he su##enl/ felt paranoi#. $Sir,% the han#some man sai#, $please, "e ver/ much nee# /ou% $Wh/ #o /ou nee# me?% $Sir, pleaseC% The man "as pluc&in' at Bra#s elbo", then 'rabbe# it more forcefull/. $Sir, "e 'et so fe" a#ult repeaters% )#ult repeaters. Bra# shivere#. The/ &ne". )n# no" this 'u/, this han#some, charmin' smooth, tal&er "as lea#in' him to"ar# the people in the "hite coats. The/ "ere obviousl/ onto him, an# he tu''e# free, but the han#some man hel# on. Bra#s heart "as poun#in' an# he felt panic floo# throu'h him. 0e bent over an# pulle# his 'un from its holster. $No7 (et 'o of me7% The han#some man loo&e# shoc&e#. Some people screame#. The man hel# up his han#s. $No" ta&e it eas/,% he sai#, $its 'oin' to be% The 'un in Bra#s han# fire#. 0e #i#nt reali1e it ha# happene# until he sa" the man stumble an# start to fall. 0e clutche# at Bra#, han'in' on him, an# Bra# shot a'ain. The man fell bac&. Ever/bo#/ "as screamin' all over the place. Somebo#/ shoute#, $0e shot Br. Bellarmino7 0e shot Bellarmino7% But b/ then he "as ver/ confuse#9 the cro"# "as runnin' a"a/, those cute little buns "ere runnin'9 ever/thin' "as ruine#9 an# "hen more men in uniform /elle# to him to #rop his 'un, he fire# at them, too. )n# the "orl# "ent blac&. 305TK )t the fall meetin' of the 8r'ani1ation of .niversit/ Technolo'/ Transfer officers H8.TTI, a 'roup #e#icate# to licensin' the "or& of universit/ scientists, philanthropist +ac& B. Watson 'ave the stirrin' &e/note a##ress. 0e struc& his familiar themes> the spectacular 'ro"th of biotechnolo'/, the importance of 'ene patents, &eepin' Ba/h,Bole in place, an# the necessit/ of preservin' the status =uo for business prosperit/ an# universit/ "ealth. $The health an# "ealth of our universities #epen#s on stron' biotech partners. This is the &e/ to &no"le#'e, an# the &e/ to the future7% 0e tol# them "hat the/ "ante# to hear, an# left the sta'e to the usual thun#erous applause. 8nl/ a fe" notice# that he "al&e# "ith a sli'ht limp an# that his ri'ht arm #i# not s"in' as freel/ as

the left. Bac&sta'e, he too& the arm of a beautiful "oman. $Where the hell is Br. obbins?% $0es "aitin' for /ou in his clinic,% she sai#. Watson s"ore, then leane# on the "oman as he "al&e# outsi#e to the "aitin' limousine. The ni'ht "as col#, "ith a faint mist. $:uc&in' #octors,% he sai#. $Im not #oin' an/ more #amn tests.% $Br. obbins #i#nt mention an/thin' about tests.% The #river opene# the #oor. Watson climbe# in a"&"ar#l/, his le' #ra''in'. The "oman helpe# him in. 0e slumpe# in the bac&, "incin'. The "oman 'ot in on the other si#e. $Is the pain ba#?% $Its "orse at ni'ht.% $Bo /ou "ant a pill?% $I alrea#/ too& one.% 0e inhale# #eepl/. $Boes obbins &no" "hat the hell this is?% $I thin& so.% $Bi# he tell /ou?% $No.% $;oure l/in'.% $0e #i#nt tell me, +ac&.% $3hrist.% The limousine spe# throu'h the ni'ht. Watson stare# out the "in#o", breathin' har#.

The hospital clinic "as #eserte# at this hour. :re# obbins, thirt/,five an# han#some as a movie star, "as "aitin' for Watson "ith t"o /oun'er ph/sicians, in a lar'e examinin' room. obbins ha# set up li'ht boxes "ith J,ra/, electrophoresis an# * I results. Watson #roppe# heavil/ into a chair. 0e "ave# to the /oun'er men. $;ou can 'o.% $But +ac&% $Tell me alone,% Watson sai# to obbins. $Nineteen fuc&in' #octors have examine# me in the

last t"o months. Ive #one so man/ * Is an# 3)T scans I 'lo" in the #ar&. ;ou tell me.% 0e "ave# to the "oman. $;ou "ait outsi#e, too.% The/ all left. Watson "as alone "ith obbins. $The/ sa/ /oure the smartest #ia'nostician in )merica, :re#. So tell me.% $Well,% obbins sai#, $its as much a biochemical process as an/thin'. Thats "h/ I "ante#% $Three months a'o,% Watson sai#, $I ha# a pain in m/ le'. ) "ee& later the le' "as #ra''in'. */ shoe "as "orn on the e#'e. -rett/ soon I ha# trouble "al&in' up stairs. No" I have "ea&ness in m/ ri'ht arm. 3ant s=uee1e toothpaste "ith m/ han#. Its 'ettin' har# to breathe. In three months7 So tell me.% $Its calle# Vo'elmans paresis,% obbins sai#. $Its not common, but not rare. ) fe" thousan# cases ever/ /ear, ma/be fift/ thousan# "orl#"i#e. :irst #escribe# in the EGT5s, b/ a :rench% $3an /ou treat it?% $)t this point,% obbins sai#, $there are no satisfactor/ treatments.% $)re there an/ treatments?% $-alliative an# supportive measures, massa'e an# B vitamins% $But no treatments.% $Not reall/, +ac&, no.% $What causes it?% $That "e &no". :ive /ears a'o, En#erss team at Scripps isolate# a 'ene,B BV) , that co#es for a protein that repairs m/elin aroun# nerve cells. The/ve #emonstrate# that a point mutation in the 'ene pro#uces Vo'elmans paresis in animals.% $Well, hell,% Watson sai#, $/oure tellin' me Ive 'ot a 'enetic #eficienc/ #isease li&e an/ other.% $;es, but% $0o" lon' a'o #i# the/ fin# the 'ene? :ive /ears? Then its a natural for 'ene replacement, start the co#e# protein bein' ma#e insi#e the bo#/C% $ eplacement therap/ is ris&/, of course.% $Bo I 'ive a #amn? (oo& at me, :re#. 0o" much time #o I have?%

$The time course is variable, butC% $Spit it out.% $*a/be four months.% $+esus.% Watson suc&e# in his breath. 0e ran his han# over his forehea#, too& another breath. $8&a/, so thats m/ situation. (ets #o the therap/. :ive /ears later, the/ must have a protocol.% $The/ #ont,% obbins sai#. $Somebo#/ must.% $The/ #ont. Scripps patente# the 'ene an# license# it to Beinart Ba'hoff, the S"iss pharma 'iant. It "as part of a pac&a'e #eal "ith Scripps, about t"ent/ #ifferent collaborations.B BV) "asnt re'ar#e# as particularl/ important.% $Whatre /ou sa/in'?% $Beinart put a hi'h license fee on the 'ene.% $Wh/? Its an orphan #isease, it ma&es no sense to% obbins shru''e#. $The/re a bi' compan/. Who &no"s "h/ the/ #o thin's. Their licensin' #ivision sets fees for ei'ht hun#re# 'enes that the/ control. Theres fort/ people in that #ivision. Its a bur eaucrac/. )n/"a/, the/ set the license hi'h% $3hrist.% $)n# no laborator/, an/"here in the "orl#, has "or&e# on the #isease in the last five /ears.% $3hrist.% $Too expensive, +ac&.% $Then Ill bu/ the #amn 'ene.% $3ant. I alrea#/ chec&e#. Its not for sale.% $Ever/thin's for sale.% $)n/ sale b/ Beinart has to be approve# b/ Scripps, an# the Scripps office of tech transfer "ont consi#er% $Never min#, Ill license it m/self.%

$;ou can #o that. ;es.% $)n# Ill set up the 'ene transfer m/self. Well 'et a team in this hospital to #o it.% $I reall/ "ish "e coul#, +ac&. But 'ene transfers extremel/ ris&/, an# no lab "ill ta&e the chance these #a/s. Nobo#/s 'one to @ail /et over a faile# 'ene transfer, but there have been a lot of patient #eaths, an#% $:re#. (oo& at me.% $;ou can 'et it #one in Shan'hai.% $No, no. 0ere.% :re# obbins bit his lip. $+ac&, /ou have to face realit/. Theres less than a one percent success rate. I mean, if "e ha# #one five /ears of "or&, "e "oul# have the results of animal tests, vector tests, immunosuppressive protocols, all &in#s of steps to increase /our chance of success. But @ust shootin' from the hip% $Thats all I have time for. Shootin' from the hip.% :re# obbins "as sha&in' his hea#. $) hun#re# million #ollars,% Watson sai#. $:or "hatever lab #oes it. Ta&e over a private clinic out in )rca#ia. +ust me, nobo#/ &no"s. Bo the proce#ure there. It "or&s or it #oesnt.% :re# obbins shoo& his hea# sa#l/. $Im sorr/, +ac&. I reall/ am.% 305TF The overhea#li'hts came on in the autops/ room, ban& after ban&. It ma#e a #ramatic openin' shot, !orevitch thou'ht. The fi'ure in the lab coat "as #istin'uishe#,loo&in' in a severe "a/> silver hair, "ire,rim 'lasses. 0e "as the internationall/ reno"ne# primate anatomist +or' Eric&son. .sin' a han#hel# camera, !orevitch sai#, $Br. Eric&son, "hat are "e #oin' to#a/?% $We are examinin' a "orl#,famous specimen, the putative tal&in' oran'utan of In#onesia. This animal is sai# to have spo&en in at least t"o lan'ua'es. Well, "e shall see.% Br. Eric&son turne# to the steel table, "here the carcass "as #rape# in a "hite cloth. 0e pulle# the cloth a"a/ "ith a flourish. $This is a sub,a#ult or @uvenile-on'o abelii, a Sumatran oran'utan, #istin'uishe# b/ its smaller si1e from the Borneo oran'utan. This specimen is male, approximatel/ three /ears of a'e, in apparent 'oo# health, "ith no external scars or in@uriesC)ll ri'ht, no" "e be'in.% 0e pic&e# up a scalpel.

$With a mi#sa'ittal incision, I expose the anterior musculature of the throat an# phar/nx. Note the superior an# inferior bell/ of the omoh/oi#, an# here, the sternoh/oi#C0mmm.% Eric&son "as bent over the animals nec&. !orevitch foun# it #ifficult to maneuver for a shot. $What #o /ou see, -rofessor?% $I am loo&in' no" at the st/loh/oi# an# the cricoth/roi# muscles, here, an# hereC)n# this is =uite interestin'. 8r#inaril/ in -on'o "e fin# the anterior musculature poorl/ #evelope#, an# lac&in' the fine motor control of the human speech apparatus. But this creature appears to be a transitional case, bearin' some features of the classic pon'i# phar/nx, an# some features more characteristic of the human nec&. Notice the sternoclei#omastoi#C% !orevitch thou'ht, Sternoclei#omastoi#. +esus. The/ "oul# have to #ub in a voice,over. $-rofessor, perhaps /ou coul# sa/ it in En'lish?% $No, the terms are (atin, I #ont &no" the translation% $I mean, can /ou explain in la/mans terms? :or our vie"ers?% $)h, of course. )ll these superficial muscles, most of "hich attach to the h/oi#that is to sa/, the )#ams applethese muscles are more human than ape,li&e.% $What coul# account for that?% $Some mutation, obviousl/.% $)n# the rest of the animal? Is it more human, as "ell?% $I have not seen the rest of the animal,% Eric&son sai# severel/. $But "e "ill 'et there, in #ue time. I shall be especiall/ intereste# to inspect an/ rotation of the axis of the foramen ma'num, an# of course the #epth an# arran'ement of sulci of the motor cortex, to the extent that 'ra/ matter has been preserve#.% $Bo /ou expect to fin# human,li&e chan'es in the brain?% $:ran&l/, no. I #o not,% Eric&son sai#. 0e turne# his attention to the top of the s&ull, runnin' his 'love# han#s over the sparse hair of the oran's scalp, feelin' the bones beneath. $;ou see, in this animal, parietal bones slope in"ar#, to"ar# the top of the cranium. That is a classic pon'i# or chimp fin#in'. Whereas humans have bul'in' parietal bones. The top of their hea#s are "i#er than the bottom.% Eric&son steppe# bac& from the table. !orevitch sai#, $So /ou are sa/in' this animal is a mixture of human an# ape?% $No,% Eric&son sai#. $This is an ape. It is an aberrant ape, to be sure. But it is merel/ an ape.%

+80N B. W)TS8N INVEST*ENT ! 8.:or Imme#iate elease +ohn B. $+ac&% Watson,"orl#,famous philanthropist an# foun#er of the Watson Investment !roup, #ie# to#a/ in Shan'hai, 3hina. *r. Watson "as internationall/ lau#e# for his charitable "or& an# his efforts on behalf of the poor an# #o"ntro##en of the "orl#. *r. Watson ha# been ill for onl/ a short time, but he suffere# from an extremel/ a''ressive form of cancer. 0e chec&e# into a private Shan'hai clinic an# #ie# three #a/s later. 0e is mourne# b/ frien#s an# collea'ues aroun# the "orl#.

ST8 ;, BET)I(S T< 305TM 0enr/ <en#all "as surprise# that !erar# coul# help Bave "ith his math home"or&. But that "oul#nt last lon'. Eventuall/, Bave "oul# probabl/ nee# special schoolin'. Bave ha# inherite# the chimps short attention span. 0e foun# it increasin'l/ #ifficult to &eep up "ith the other &i#s in class, particularl/ in rea#in', "hich "as a'on/ for him. )n# his ph/sical pro"ess put him in another lea'ue on the pla/'roun#. The other chil#ren "oul#nt let him pla/. So he ha# become an excellent surfer. )n# b/ no", the truth "as out. There ha# been a particularl/ #istressin' article in-eople ma'a1ine, $The *o#ern :amil/,% "hich sai#, $The most up,to,#ate famil/ is no lon'er a same, sex famil/, or a blen#e# famil/, or an interracial famil/. Thats all so last centur/, sa/s Trac/ <en#all. )n# she shoul# &no", because the <en#all famil/ of (a +olla, 3alifornia, is trans'enic an# interspeciescreatin' more excitement in the househol# than a barrel of mon&e/s7% 0enr/ ha# been calle# to testif/ before 3on'ress, "hich he foun# a peculiar experience. The con'ressmen spo&e to the cameras for t"o hours. Then the/ 'ot up an# left, plea#in' ur'ent business else"here. Then the "itnesses spo&e for six minutes each, but there "ere no con'ressmen there to hear their remar&s. (ater, the con'ressmen all announce# the/ "oul# soon #eliver ma@or speeches on the sub@ect of trans'enic creation. 0enr/ "as name# Scientist of the ;ear b/ the Societ/ for (ibertarian Biolo'/. +erem/ if&in calle# him a $"ar criminal.% 0e ha# been excoriate# b/ the National 3ouncil of 3hurches. The pope excommunicate# him, onl/ later to #iscover that he "asnt 3atholic9 the/ ha# the "ron' 0enr/ <en#all. The NI0 critici1e# his "or&, but the replacement for obert Bellarmino as hea# of 'enetics "as William !la#stone, an# he "as much more open,min#e# an# less self, a''ran#i1in' than Bellarmino ha# been. 0enr/ no" travele# continuousl/, lecturin' about trans'enic techni=ues at universit/ seminars aroun# the countr/. 0e "as the sub@ect of intense controvers/. The everen# Bill/ +ohn 0ar&er of Tennessee calle#

him $Satan incarnate.% Bill *a/er, note# left,"in' reactionar/, publishe# a lon' an# much, #iscusse# article in the Ne" ;or& evie" of Boo&s entitle# $Banishe# from E#en> Wh/ We *ust -revent Trans'enic Travesties.% The article faile# to mention that trans'enic animals ha# been in existence for t"o #eca#es alrea#/. Bo's, cats, bacteria, mice, sheep, an# cattle ha# all been create#. When a senior NI0 scientist "as as&e# about the article, he cou'he# an# sai#, $Whats the Ne" ;or& evie" ?% (/nn <en#all ran the Trans!enic Times "eb site, "hich #etaile# the #ail/ life of Bave, !erar#, an# her full/ human chil#ren, +amie an# Trac/.

)fter a /ear in (a +olla, !erar# be'an to ma&e #ial,tone soun#s. 0e ha# #one it before, but the tones "ere m/sterious to the <en#alls. Evi#entl/ the/ "ere the tones of a forei'n telephone exchan'e, but the/ faile# to i#entif/ "hich countr/. $Where #i# /ou come from, !erar#?% the/ "oul# as&. $I cant sleep a "in& an/more, ever since /ou first "al&e# out the #oor.% 0e ha# become enamore# of )merican countr/ music. $)ll /ou ever #o is brin' me #o"n.% $What countr/, !erar#?% To that, the/ never receive# an ans"er. 0e spo&e some :rench, an# he often tal&e# "ith a British accent. The/ assume# he "as European. Then one #a/ one of 0enr/s 'ra#uate stu#ents from :rance "as havin' #inner at their house, an# he hear# !erar#s tones. $*/ !o#,% he sai#, $I &no" "hat he is #oin'.% 0e listene# for a moment. $There is no cit/ co#e,% he sai#. $But other"iseClets tr/.% 0e pulle# out his o"n cell phone, an# be'an to &e/ in numbers. $Bo it a'ain, !erar#.% !erar# repeate# the tones. $)n# a'ain.% $(ife is a boo&, /ouve 'ot to rea# it,% !erar# san'. $(ife is a stor/ an# /ouve 'ot to tell itC% $I &no" this son',% the 'ra#uate stu#ent sai#. $What is it?% 0enr/ sai#. $Its Eurovision. !erar#, the tones.% Eventuall/, !erar# #i# the #ial tones. The 'ra#uate stu#ent place# the call. 0is first 'uess "as to tr/ -aris. ) "oman ans"ere# the phone. 0e sai# in :rench, $Excuse me, but #o /ou &no" of a 're/ parrot "ho is name# !erar#?%

The "oman be'an to cr/. $(et me spea& to him,% she sai#. $Is he all ri'ht?% $0e is fine.% The/ hel# the phone b/ !erar#s perch, an# he listene# to the "omans voice. 0is hea# bobbe# excite#l/. Then he sai#, $Is this "here /ou live? 8h, *others 'oin' to love it here7% !ail Bon# arrive# to visit a fe" #a/s later. She sta/e# a "ee&, an# then returne# alone. !erar#, it seeme#, "ante# to sta/. :or #a/s after"ar#, he san'> */ bab/ use# to sta/ out all ni'ht lon', She ma#e me cr/, she #one me "ron', She hurt m/ e/es open, thats no lie, Tables turn an# no" her turn to cr/, Because I use# to love her, but its all over no"C )ll in all, thin's "ere "or&in' out much better than an/one expecte#. The famil/ "as bus/, but ever/one 'ot alon'. There "ere onl/ t"o "orrisome tren#s. 0enr/ notice# that Bave ha# #evelope# a fe" 'ra/ hairs aroun# his mu11le. So it "as possible that Bave, li&e most other trans'enics, mi'ht #ie earlier than usual. )n# one autumn #a/, "hile Bave "as "al&in' "ith 0enr/ at the count/ fair, hol#in' 0enr/s han#, a farmer in overalls came up an# sai#, $I# li&e to 'et me one of them to "or& on m/ farm.% That 'ave 0enr/ a chill.

E,B88< EJT )S
) 3onversation "ith *ichael 3richton, )uthor of NEJT NE> NEJT challen'es the rea#ers sense of "hat is happenin', "hat is true an# "hat is invente#. 0o" much of "hats in the boo& has alrea#/ ta&en place? Its o## but nearl/ ever/thin' in the boo& has alrea#/ happene#, or is about to happen. The boo& #oes loo& to the future a bit, particularl/ "ith re'ar# to some trans'enic animals that become important characters. But for the most part NEJT is not reall/ speculative fiction at all. N4> What scares /ou the most about NEJT? )n# conversel/, "hich possibilities #o /ou fin# the most encoura'in'? Im not reall/ scare# about an/thin' in the 'enetic realm. */ research actuall/ reassure# me, because I conclu#e# that man/ of the thin's people #iscuss "ith 'reat fear or 'reat lon'in' such as #esi'ner babies, or exten#e# lon'evit/are probabl/ not 'oin' to happen. I thin& that "ell have some remar&able ne" therapies from this area, an# "e "ill also fin# that the 'enome is vastl/ more complicate# than "e anticipate#. In that sense, the 'enome is a bit li&e the human brainmuch har#er to un#erstan# than "e once ima'ine#. NK> What first spar&e# /our interest in 'enetics? Its a lon'stan#in' interest for me. I stu#ie# 'enetics an# evolution in colle'e, an# of course as a me#ical stu#ent. !enetics has been one of the most excitin' areas of scientific research in m/ lifetime. Its har# to remember that "hen I "as born in the ETF5s, people "erent reall/ sure "hat a $'ene% consiste# of. )n# the/ thou'ht human bein's ha# 4F chromosomes, instea# of 4K7 )n# the/ ha# no i#ea at all ho" an embr/o 're" an# #ifferentiate# into a live birth. NF> In the past /ouve sai# that /ou usuall/ #o research to ans"er a =uestion of /our o"n that interests /ou. What "as the ori'in of NEJT? Hpossibl/ for -o"ellsI This novel be'an "hen I atten#e# a 'enetics conference at the Sal& Institute in (a +olla. I learne# @ust ho" fast the fiel# "as pro'ressin', an# ho" inappropriate certain le'al positions "ere. The fiel# obviousl/ nee#e# some broa#er attention from the public. In terms of the novel, the =uestion I as&e# "as> "hats the current vie" of ho" the 'enome operatesho" /ou 'et from 'enot/pe to phenot/pe? Because such i#eas have chan'e# hu'el/ in the last #eca#es. 8f course, this =uestion is ultimatel/ the ol# nature\nurture issue, an# so it is politicall/ char'e#. 0o" much of our behavior is rule# b/ 'enes, an# ho" much b/ upbrin'in' an# experience? I ultimatel/ conclu#e# I coul#nt reall/ a##ress this =uestion in the boo&, because it is so complex. But I arrive# at ans"ers for m/self that surprise# an# satisfie# me. */ ans"er is that 'enes are an inte'ral part of our a#aptive apparatus as or'anisms in an

environment. So "e fin# both hei'htene# importance for nature an# also for nurture. But the "hole interaction is far more complicate# than people thou'ht fift/ /ears a'o. )n# it continues to chan'e. NM> NEJT poses man/ complex =uestions an# presents the au#ience "ith man/ moral 'ra/ areas. Where #o /ou stan# on the ethics of 'enetic en'ineerin', stem cell research, 'enetic therap/ an# 'ene patents? I oppose patentin' 'enes, an# ar'ue such patents shoul# never have been 'rante# in the first place. The 'enome is our common herita'e, 'oin' bac& millions of /ears, an# it is absur# that an/one shoul# o"n an/ part of it. I hope this boo& helps un#o 'ene patents. The practice is obstructive an# even #an'erous. !enetic therap/ is hi'hl/ experimental. It has 'reat promise an# 'reat ha1ar#s. Stem cell research is more a political football than a therapeutic issue, at this point. -oliticall/ its a continuation of the abortion controvers/ that has "rac&e# this countr/ for nearl/ half a centur/, "ith no en# in si'ht. What stem cell research "ill ultimatel/ offer us is "holl/ un&no"n. It ma/ be hu'el/ po"erful. It ma/ be a #ea# en#. But in an/ case I oppose bans on research. The/ #ont "or& an# the/ #isplace the ar'uments, "hich become about the ban an# not about the sub@ect of the research itself. )s for the ethics of 'enetic en'ineerin', most people ar'ue excite#l/ about "hat is not possible. If it "ere possible to pop 'enes in an# out of embr/os, to ma&e #esi'ner babies, then "e "oul# in#ee# have serious ethical =uestions to face. )t the moment, that is not possible at all. I therefore #ont thin& that tal&in' about it #oes a lot of 'oo#. 8n ma@or human life #ecisions, I #ont thin& there is 'reat value in #eci#in' "hat /ou "ill #o until /ou are actuall/ face# "ith the issue. :or example, I thin& it is fruitless to speculate "hat /ou "oul# #o if /ou ha# a fatal #isease. Eventuall/ "e all 'et one, an# our behavior at that point "ill probabl/ not be "hat "e ima'ine#. Similarl/, I thin& "e #ont &no" in a#vance ho" "e "ill respon# to opportunities in ne" technolo'/. We @ust #ont &no". N6> What is the latest court rulin' as to "hat constitutes cell o"nership? )re there an/ upcomin' cases that /oure &eepin' an e/e on? ules re'ar#in' tissues are fra'mente#. ) recent Sixth 3ircuit #ecision re'ar#in' the tissue collection of Br. William 3atalona has set bac& the efforts of patients to have some control over "hat happens to their tissues, once #onate# to me#ical research. There are 'oo# reasons "h/ patients #eserve such control. If /ou 'ive /our tissue for prostate research, /ou mi'ht not "ant the tissues use# for other purposes /ou #isa'ree "ith. ;ou mi'ht have reli'ious or other ob@ections. ;ou mi'ht have le'al concerns, because if /our 'enetic information "as publishe# /our insurance mi'ht be cancelle#. These are 'enuine concerns. :e#eral 'ui#elines re'ar#in' tissues are much more humane. )n# the/ #ont interfere "ith research. We nee# 3on'ress to ma&e these 'ui#elines the la" of the lan#.

NV> 8ne of /our characters "arns that science is as corruptible an enterprise as an/ other, aca#emics an# entrepreneurs are "a/ too co1/ an# #ata can be massa'e# to achieve an/ #esire# result. Is this somethin' the )merican public shoul# be more a"are of? I hope that such unsavor/ narratives as the Vioxx scan#al "ill convince the public that "e nee# better an# more in#epen#ent sources of information. But it is also true that the British slau'hter of livestoc& at the hei'ht of the BSE scare no" seems to have been unnecessar/, the result of a fla"e# computer pre#iction. We are 'oin' to see more such errors in man/ areas of science. I believe "e live in the 'reatest era of sna&e oil salesmen in the histor/ of man&in#. .nless 'overnment acts to assure us of in#epen#entl/ verifie# information, "e "ill continue to suffer ba# science policies, an# even #eaths. NG> 0o" #o /ou sta/ informe# about current an# cuttin',e#'e science? 0o" much #o /ou rea#? )re /ou activel/ involve# in the scientific communit/? There is no secret. I @ust rea# a lot. I #ont tal& to a lot of scientists. Its faster to rea# than tal&. NT> *an/ of /our previous boo&s have i'nite# public #iscussion an# #ebate. Bo /ou thin& NEJT "ill provo&e a similar response? I am never sure ho" the public reaction to m/ boo&s "ill be. Im usuall/ surprise#. I "ont ma&e an/ pre#ictions about this boo&. NE5> In 455M, /ou appeare# before the .nite# States Senates 3ommittee on Environment an# -ublic Wor&s to #iscuss the politici1ation of scientific research. What "as /our messa'e? Wh/ is this such a bi' problem an# "hat is the solution? Essentiall/ I ar'ue# that "hat "e nee# is a 'overnment polic/ that assures in#epen#entl/ verifie# information in an/ area that is important to polic/. This is the essence of the scientific metho#. There are "ell,establishe# statistical proce#ures to ma&e sure that the information /ou 'et is unbiase#. Its simple enou'h to #o, althou'h expensive. But ba# information is expensive, an# ba# policies are ver/ expensive. I ar'ue that "e live in a technolo'ical societ/ "here science matters, an# it is up to the 'overnment to ma&e sure that "hat "ere tol# is accurate. :or this rather or#inar/ ar'ument I "as thorou'hl/ attac&e#. There are man/ people out there "ho #ont "ant their #ata to be chec&e#7 NEE> Whats so stri&in' about all /our boo&s an# no" NEJT in particular is /our abilit/ to ma&e complicate# science comprehensible to a mass au#ience "hile also sho"casin' /our tremen#ous expertise. 0o" #o /ou pull that off time after time? )'ain, theres no secret. *a&in' the stor/ clear is accomplishe# b/ re"ritin' an# re"ritin' until the technical passa'es are un#erstan#able. In an/ boo&, there are usuall/ a fe" pa'es that I en#

up re"ritin' about t"ent/ times. NE4> )fter the final thrillin' pa'e, "hat "oul# /ou most li&e rea#ers to ta&e a"a/ from NEJT? The future is bri'ht an# excitin', an# it "ill challen'e us to thin& in fresh "a/s about our lives. But amon' our challen'es to#a/, "e have some le'al problems in 'enetics that nee# to be fixe#. We nee# some la"s passe#, an# some la"s chan'e#. But I am optimistic about the future. Ver/ optimistic. *ichael 3richton NEJT )u#io Intervie" Transcript +B> 0i, Im +onathan Burnham, publisher of 0arper3ollins, an# Im here intervie"in' bestsellin',author *ichael 3richton about his ne" novel, Next . *ichael, as "ith man/ of /our other novels, Next is a vivi# #ramati1ation of "hat can happen "hen cuttin',e#'e science 'oes a little too far. Is Next a cautionar/ tale? *3> Well, I thin& it is, in the sense that man/ of the boo&s are. But for me "hats #ifferent about this boo& is that so much of it is realor that so much of it is ver/ thinl/,#is'uise# versions of actual events that have occurre#. !enetics, "hich is the sub@ect of the boo&, has a#vance# extraor#inaril/ rapi#l/ in the last EM /ears or so an# sometimes in #irections that man/ people are trouble# about, or #isapprove of, an# so it is a ver/ interestin' an# hot contentious area. +B> )n# have /ou been trac&in' the science of 'enetics for the last EM /ears, "atchin' it, seein' "hats 'oin' on, an# buil#in' a portfolio? *3> )ctuall/, /ou &no" its o##, I "as ver/ intereste# in it at the time of +urassic -ar& "hich no" to m/ astonishment "as EM /ears a'o, an# I lost trac& of it a bit, so to return is to have this o## sense of comin' into a "orl# "here so man/ thin's that "ere fictional EM /ears a'o are no" ta&in' place. +B> ;ouve chosen a ver/ interestin' an# I thin& ne" form for this novel, "hich is to brea& #o"n the conventional narrative into man/ #ifferent stores, some of "hich overlap, some of "hich are self,containe#, an# others "hich move for"ar# an# become the principle themes of the boo&. 0o" #i# /ou conceive of this boo&, in formal terms? *3> Well, I thin& there "ere t"o consi#erations that I ha#. 8ne "as that I "as unable to overloo& the structure of the 'enome as "e are no" startin' to un#erstan# it, an# ho" in#ivi#ual 'enes interact "ith other 'enes, or ma/ seem to be silent, or "e #ont reall/ &no" "hat the/ #o, or sometimes there are repetitions that are not clear to us, an# it struc& me as an interestin' i#ea to tr/ to or'ani1e the novel in that "a/, even thou'h its not "hat one or#inaril/ #oes. The

secon# thin' that "as #rivin' me "as the notion that there are a 'reat man/ stories of interest in this area, an# the/re all =uite #ifferent in terms of the le'al an# ethical problems that are raise# in the fiel#, so I "ante# to #o a number of #ifferent stories. +B> Next poses a lar'e number of ethical issues to the rea#er. Bo /ou personall/ have a stron' position on these issues? *3> Well, I #o on some an# not on others. The feelin' in 'eneral that I have is that "e have too little information, an# the impulse in some =uarters to ban thin's or prevent research or curtail it seems to me ill,a#vise# an# also not ver/ practical. Whatever research isnt #one in the .nite# States "ill be #one in Shan'hai, so "hat exactl/ is bein' accomplishe#? I #o thin& that there are some thin's that have been #one in a business sense that are tremen#ousl/ ba# an# #an'erous an# inappropriate, an# amon' those are the patentin' of 'enes. We have "ithin our bo#ies, for the most part, i#entical 'enes, an# man/ of these 'enes are millions or even billions of /ears ol# the/re foun# in other animals, the/re foun# in microor'anisms, an# /et the/re bein' patente# no"#iseases are bein' patente#> 0epatitis 3 is o"ne# b/ somebo#/, 0aemophilus Influen1a is o"ne# b/ somebo#/, the 'ene for insulin is o"ne# , this seems to me to be ver/ "ron' on a number of levels an# I hope that this "ill be chan'e# an# the boo& "ill be influential in startin' a #iscussion. +B> ;ouve "ritten about man/ fri'htenin' areas of science in /our novelsho" #oes 'enetics rate in the lar'e fiel# that /ouve covere#, in terms of the elements of fear connecte# to realit/ that are built into it? *3> )s a person, I thin& I am m/self not ver/ fearful, an# it ma/ be that I 'et out all of these fears in m/ "or&. The first sort of 'enetics boo& that I #i# that a##resse# an/ of these thin's "as +urassic -ar& , an# that "as of course entirel/ fiction. Whats happene# at this point is that man/ of these possibilities are real, an# so /ou see because of the structure an# the "a/ that thin's are bein' #one, "hen /ou hear for example, that scientists "ere reluctant to stu#/ S) Sthe severe acute respirator/ s/n#rome that "as sprea#in' across the "orl#a #isease that ha# a E5U fatalit/ an# "as su##enl/ in 4F countriesan# scientists hesitate# to stu#/ it because there "as a conflict over "ho "oul# o"n the 'enome"ho "oul# 'et the patent. Thats ver/ scar/that business interest mi'ht put us all at ris& for a pan#emicits &in# of insane. +B> 0o" #o /ou &eep abreast of ne" #evelopments in science? *3> :or the most part, its simpl/ rea#in'. I #o visit occasionall/ laboratories, but not ver/ often, an# there are sort of t"o reasons for it> one is that "hen one 'oes to an in#ivi#ual laborator/, one spen#s time "ith someone "ho has a particularl/ stron' intereste# in a ver/ narro" area, "hich is usuall/ not m/ area of interest, an# the other thin' is that to rea# is the

e=uivalent of tal&in' to people on the telephoneits @ust simpl/ much faster, its a much =uic&er "a/, an# the @ournals stac& up in m/ office an# I 'o throu'h them as best I can. +B> ;our first 'oal as a "riter Im sure is to entertain, an# /ouve #one that brilliantl/ in this boo&, but in terms of as&in' rea#ers to thin& about the issues that /oure explorin', "hat #o /ou "ant the rea#er to ta&e a"a/ from Next after the/ve finishe# it? *3> What m/ experience "as in "or&in' on this "as a &in# of combination of anxiet/ an# excitementthe possibilit/ of reall/ "on#erful thin's that mi'ht happenthe possibilit/ that for example, certain 'enetic #iseases mi'ht actuall/ be cure#, an# people "ho mi'ht previousl/ either "ere certain to #ie or coul# onl/ be treate# in fairl/ unsatisfactor/ "a/sthere no" is the li&elihoo# that /ou "ill be able to in@ect the 'ene an# that person is cure#thats =uite extraor#inar/, an# there are man/ other examples of ne" cancer treatments an# other thin's that are @ust ama1in'. )n# then on the other si#e, there is this connection of la" an# business an# aca#emia "hich is ver/ #istressin' in the #irections that its 'oin', an# it involves a tremen#ous amount of secrec/ an# involves a tremen#ous #irection "hich I thin& is a'ainst the public interest an# "hich I thin& reall/ ou'ht to #istress an# fri'hten people. +B> If /ou "ere in a position to create le'islation, ho" "oul# /ou bein' to rei'n in the $ba# science%the combination of science, business, an# aca#emics movin' in the "ron' #irection as /ou see it? *3> I thin& there are actuall/ three or four thin's that "oul# reall/ transform the fiel#. The first thin' that I "oul# #o is I "oul# ma&e the testin' of 'enes for me#ical #ia'noses completel/ le'al, irrespective of patents. I thin& that "oul# #o a 'reat public service an# also obli'e scientists to start to loo& at the patentin' business in a #ifferent "a/. The secon# thin' I "oul# #o is I "oul# re=uire universities to follo" fe#eral 'ui#elines for use of tissues in research. :e#eral 'ui#elines are excellentthe/ 'ive people a tremen#ous amount of control over the tissues that the/ #onateman/ universities, institutions of hi'her learnin', are tr/in' to brea& these rules, tr/in' to 'o in another #irectionthe/ ou'ht not to be allo"e# to, an# I "oul# chan'e that. The thir# thin' I "oul# #o is I "oul# ma&e sure people 'ot the information that the/ nee#e# to ma&e informe# #ecisions. There are some situations no" "here patients have #ie# from 'ene therap/, an# the institutions involve# have sai# that the/ #ont "ant the #eaths reporte# because the/re a tra#e secret. This is so insane flau'hse that the min# bo''lesthis, "hatever le'islation is nee#e# to stop that "e ou'ht to #o. )n# the final thin' is that in ETG5 there "as a la" passe# that "as calle# BiBolebipartisan la" that enable# universities to sell their pro#ucts to in#ustr/, an# it "as "ell,intentione#, but it has ha# the effect of creatin' this 'i'antic commercial consulation "ithin universities that is ver/ #ama'in', an# so I "oul# reverse that la". +B> In spite of the serious messa'e of the boo& an# the profoun# issues /oure tac&lin', there is a

lot of fun in this boo&. There are man/ @o&es, there are man/ ver/ amusin' passa'es an# stories, an# there are a number of i#easconceptsthat perhaps are true or perhaps are fictional. Is there an/thin' in the boo& that /ou "oul# li&e to be real, that perhaps isnt realthat "oul# improve /our life? *3> Interestin' =uestionCI #ont &no" ho" to ans"er thatCI 'uess "hat I feel is that "hatever I mi'ht ima'ine is probabl/ ri'ht aroun# the corner an/"a/. flau'hse +B> )bsolutel/. Than& /ou so much for this intervie", an# "e are sure that this boo& is 'oin' to be a hu'e success. This Essa/ Brea&s the (a" B/ *I30)E( 3 I30T8N The Earth revolves aroun# the Sun. The spee# of li'ht is a constant. )pples fall to earth because of 'ravit/. Elevate# bloo# su'ar is lin&e# to #iabetes. Elevate# uric aci# is lin&e# to 'out. Elevate# homoc/steine is lin&e# to heart #isease. Elevate# homoc/steine is lin&e# to B,E4 #eficienc/, so #octors shoul# test homoc/steine levels to see "hether the patient nee#s vitamins. )3T.)((;, I cant ma&e that last statement. ) corporation has patente# that fact, an# #eman#s a ro/alt/ for its use. )n/one "ho ma&es the fact public an# encoura'es #octors to test for the con#ition an# treat it can be sue# for ro/alt/ fees. )n/ #octor "ho rea#s a patients test results an# even thin&s of vitamin #eficienc/ infrin'es the patent. ) fe#eral circuit court hel# that mere thin&in' violates the patent. )ll this ma/ soun# absur#, but it is the heart of a case that "ill be ar'ue# before the Supreme 3ourt on Tues#a/. In ETG6 researchers file# a patent application for a metho# of testin' the levels of homoc/steine, an amino aci#, in the bloo#. The/ "ent one step further an# as&e# for a patent on the basic biolo'ical relationship bet"een homoc/steine an# vitamin #eficienc/. ) patent "as 'rante# that covere# both the test an# the scientific fact. Eventuall/, a compan/ calle# *etabolite too& over the license for the patent. )lthou'h *etabolite #oes not have a monopol/ on test metho#sother companies ma&e homoc/steine tests, toothe/ assert licensin' ri'hts on the correlation of elevate# homoc/steine "ith vitamin #eficienc/. ) compan/ calle# (ab3orp use# a #ifferent test but publishe# an article mentionin' the patente# fact. *etabolite sue# on a number of 'roun#s, an# has "on in court so far.

But "hat the Supreme 3ourt "ill focus on is the nature of the claime# correlation. 8n the one han#, courts have repeate#l/ hel# that basic bo#il/ processes an# $pro#ucts of nature% are not patentable. Thats "h/ no one o"ns 'ravit/, or the spee# of li'ht. But at the same time, courts have 'rante# so,calle# correlation patents for man/ /ears. -o"erful forces are arra/e# on both si#es of the issue. In a##ition, there is the rather bi1arre =uestion of "hether simpl/ thin&in' about a patente# fact infrin'es the patent. The i#ea smac&s of thou'ht control, to sa/ nothin' of unenforceabilit/. It seems li&e somethin' out of a novel b/ -hilip <. Bic&or <af&a. But it hi'hli'hts the uncomfortable truth that the -atent 8ffice an# the courts have in recent #eca#es rule# themselves into a corner from "hich the/ must someho" extricate themselves. :or example, the human 'enome exists in ever/ one of us, an# is therefore our share# herita'e an# an un#oubte# fact of nature. Nevertheless 45 percent of the 'enome is no" privatel/ o"ne#. The 'ene for #iabetes is o"ne#, an# its o"ner has somethin' to sa/ about an/ research /ou #o, an# "hat it "ill cost /ou. The entire 'enome of the hepatitis 3 virus is o"ne# b/ a biotech compan/. o/alt/ costs no" influence the #irection of research in basic #iseases, an# often even the testin' for #iseases. Such barriers to me#ical testin' an# research are not in the public interest. Bo /ou "ant to be tol# b/ /our #octor, $8h, nobo#/ stu#ies /our #isease an/ more because the o"ner of the 'ene\en1/me\correlation has ma#e it too expensive to #o research?% The =uestion of "hether basic truths of nature can be o"ne# ou'ht not to be confuse# "ith concerns about ho" "e pa/ for biotech #evelopment, "hether "e "ill have #ru's in the future, an# so on. If /ou invent a ne" test, /ou ma/ patent it an# sell it for as much as /ou can, if thats /our 'oal. 3ompanies can certainl/ o"n a test the/ have invente#. But the/ shoul# not o"n the #isease itself, or the 'ene that causes the #isease, or essential un#erl/in' facts about the #isease. The #istinction is not #ifficult, even thou'h patent la"/ers attempt to blur it. )n# even if correlation patents have been 'rante#, the over"helmin' ma@orit/ of me#ical correlations, inclu#in' those liste# above, are not o"ne#. )n# shoul#nt be. .nfortunatel/ for the public, the *etabolite case is onl/ one example of a much broa#er patent problem in this countr/. We 'rant patents at a level of abstraction that is un"ise, an# its 'otten us into trouble in the past. Some /ears bac&, #octors "ere allo"e# to patent sur'ical proce#ures an# sue other #octors "ho use# their metho#s "ithout pa/in' a fee. ) bli11ar# of la"suits follo"e#. This unhealth/ circumstance "as halte# in ETT6 b/ the )merican *e#ical )ssociation an# 3on'ress, "hich #eci#e# that #octors coul#nt sue other #octors for usin' patente# sur'ical proce#ures. But the beat 'oes on. 3ompanies have patente# their metho# of hirin', an# real estate a'ents have patente# the "a/ the/ sell houses. (a"/ers no" a#vise athletes to patent their sports moves, an# screen"riters to patent their movie plots. H*/ screenpla/ for $+urassic -ar&% "as cite# as a 'oo# can#i#ate.I Where #oes all this lea#? It means that if a real estate a'ent lists a house for sale, he can be sue# because an existin' patent for sellin' houses inclu#es item No. V, $(ist the house.% It means that <obe Br/ant ma/ serve as an inspiration but not a mo#el, because nobo#/ can imitate him "ithout fines. It means nobo#/ can "rite a #inosaur stor/ because m/ patent inclu#es 4MV items

coverin' all aspects of behavior, li&e item No. EK, $Binosaurs attac& humans an# other #inosaurs.% Such a situation is i#iotic, of course. ;et elements of it alrea#/ exist. )n# unless "e be'in to turn this aroun#, there "ill be "orse to come. I "ante# to en# this essa/ b/ tellin' a stor/ about ho" current rulin's hurt us, but the patent for $en#in' an essa/ "ith an anec#ote% is o"ne#. So I thou'ht to en# "ith a =uotation from a famous person, but that strate'/ is patente#, too. I then #eci#e# to en# abruptl/, but $abrupt en#in' for #ramatic effect% is also patente#. :inall/, I #eci#e# to pa/ the $en# "ith summar/% patent fee, since it "as the least expensive. The Supreme 3ourt shoul# rule a'ainst *etabolite, an# the -atent 8ffice shoul# be'in to reverse its strate'/ of patentin' strate'ies. Basic truths of nature cant be o"ne#. 8h, an# b/ the "a/> I o"n the patent for $essa/ or letter critici1in' a previous publication.% So an/one "ho critici1es "hat I have sai# here ha# better pa/ a ro/alt/ first, or Ill see /ou in court. The Ne" ;or& Times 8-,EB Section Sun#a/, *arch ET, 4556 )uthors Note )t the en# of m/ research for this boo&, I arrive# at the follo"in' conclusions> E. Stop patentin' 'enes. !ene patents mi'ht have loo&e# reasonable t"ent/ /ears a'o, but the fiel# has chan'e# in "a/s nobo#/ coul# have pre#icte#. To#a/ "e have plent/ of evi#ence that 'ene patents are unnecessar/, un"ise, an# harmful. There is 'reat confusion about 'ene patents. *an/ observers conflate a call to en# 'ene patents "ith anticapitalist an# anti,private propert/ sentiments. It is nothin' of the sort. It is perfectl/ reasonable for in#ustr/ to see& a mechanism that "ill ensure a profit on pro#uctive investment. Such a mechanism implies a restriction on competition involvin' a create# pro#uct. 0o"ever, such protection #oes not impl/ that 'enes themselves shoul# be patente#. 8n the contrar/, 'ene patents contra#ict lon',establishe# tra#itions of intellectual propert/ protection. :irst, 'enes are facts of nature. (i&e 'ravit/, sunli'ht, an# leaves on trees, 'enes exist in the natural "orl#. :acts of nature cant be o"ne#. ;ou can o"n a test for a 'ene, or a #ru' that affects a 'ene, but not the 'ene itself. ;ou can o"n a treatment for a #isease, but not the #isease itself. !ene patents brea& that fun#amental rule. 8f course one can ar'ue about "hats a fact of nature, an# there are people pai# to #o that. But heres a simple test. If somethin' exists for millions of /ears before the arrival of 0omo sapiens on earth, its a fact of nature. To ar'ue that a 'ene is in an/ "a/ a human invention is absur#. To 'rant a 'ene patent is li&e 'rantin' a patent on iron or carbon.

Because its a patent on a fact of nature, a 'ene patent becomes an un#eserve# monopol/. 8r#inaril/, patent protection enables me to protect m/ invention but encoura'es others to ma&e their o"n versions. */ i-o# #oesnt prevent /ou from ma&in' a #i'ital au#io pla/er. */ patente# mousetrap is "oo#, but /our titanium mousetrap is allo"e#. This is not "hat happens "ith 'ene patents. The patent consists of pure information alrea#/ existin' in nature. Because there has been no invention, no one can innovate an/ other use of the patent "ithout violatin' the patent itself, so further innovation is close#. Its li&e allo"in' somebo#/ to patent noses. ;ou coul#nt ma&e e/e'lasses, <leenex, nasal spra/s, mas&s, ma&eup, or perfume because the/ all rel/ on some aspect of noses. ;ou coul# put suntan lotion on /our bo#/, but not on /our nose, because an/ mo#ification of /our nose "oul# violate the patent on noses. 3hefs coul# be sue# for ma&in' fra'rant #ishes unless the/ pai# the nose ro/alt/. )n# so on. 8f course, "e "oul# all a'ree that a patent on noses is absur#. If ever/one has one, ho" can an/one o"n it? !ene patents are absur# for the same reason. It ta&es little ima'ination to see that monopolistic patentin' inhibits creation an# pro#uctivit/. If the creator of )u'uste Bupin coul# o"n all fictional #etectives, "e "oul# never have ha# Sherloc& 0olmes, Sam Spa#e, -hilip *arlo"e, *iss *arple, Inspector *ai'ret, -eter Wimse/, 0ercule -oirot, *i&e 0ammer, or +. +. !ittes, to name @ust a fe". This rich herita'e of invention "oul# be #enie# us b/ a patentin' error. ;et that is exactl/ the error in patentin' 'enes. !ene patents are ba# public polic/. We have ample evi#ence that the/ hurt patient care an# suppress research. When */ria# patente# t"o breast cancer 'enes, the/ char'e# nearl/ three thousan# #ollars for the test, even thou'h the cost to create a 'ene test is nothin' li&e the cost to #evelop a #ru'. Not surprisin'l/, the European patent office revo&e# that patent on a technicalit/. The 3ana#ian 'overnment announce# that it "oul# con#uct 'ene tests "ithout pa/in' for the patent. Some /ears a'o, the o"ner of the 'ene for 3anavan #isease refuse# to ma&e the test "i#el/ available, even thou'h families "ho ha# suffere# "ith the #isease ha# contribute# time, mone/, an# tissues to 'et the 'ene i#entifie#. No" those same families coul# not affor# the test. That is an outra'e, but it is far from the most #an'erous conse=uence of 'ene patents. In its he/#a/, research on S) S HSevere )cute espirator/ S/n#romeI "as inhibite# because scientists "ere unsure "ho o"ne# the 'enomethree simultaneous patent claims ha# been file#. )s a result, research on S) S "asnt as vi'orous as it mi'ht have been. That shoul# scare ever/ sensible person. 0ere "as a conta'ious #isease "ith a E5 percent #eath rate that ha# sprea# to t"o #o1en countries aroun# the "orl#. ;et scientific research to combat the #isease "as inhibite#because of patent fears. )t the moment, hepatitis 3, 0IV, hemophilus influen1a, an# various #iabetes 'enes are all o"ne# b/ some entit/. The/ shoul#nt be. Nobo#/ shoul# o"n a #isease. If 'ene patents are en#e#, "e can expect screams of outra'e an# threats that business "ill aban#on research, that companies "ill 'o ban&rupt, that health care "ill suffer an# the public "ill #ie. But it is more li&el/ that an en# to 'ene patents "ill be phenomenall/ liberatin' to ever/one, an# "ill result in a burst of ne" pro#ucts for the public.

4. Establish clear 'ui#elines for the use of human tissues. 0uman tissue collections are increasin'l/ important to me#ical research, an# increasin'l/ valuable. )ppropriate fe#eral re'ulations to mana'e tissue ban&s alrea#/ exist, but courts have i'nore# fe#eral rules. 0istoricall/, the courts have #eci#e# =uestions about human tissues base# on existin' propert/ la". In 'eneral, the/ have rule# that once /our tissue leaves /our bo#/, /ou no lon'er maintain an/ ri'hts to it. The/ analo'i1e tissues to, sa/, the #onation of a boo& to a librar/. But people have a stron' feelin' of o"nership about their bo#ies, an# that feelin' "ill never be abro'ate# b/ a mere le'al technicalit/. Therefore "e nee# ne", clear, emphatic le'islation. Wh/ #o "e nee# le'islation? 3onsi#er a recent court rulin' on the case of Br. William 3atalona. This eminent prostate cancer ph/sician assemble# a collection of tissue samples from his patients so he coul# "or& on the #isease. When Br. 3atalona move# to another universit/, he trie# to ta&e the tissues "ith him. Washin'ton .niversit/ refuse#, sa/in' that it o"ne# the tissues9 the @u#'e uphel# the universit/, citin' such trivial facts as some of the releases bein' printe# on Washin'ton .niversit/ stationer/. -atients are no" un#erstan#abl/ outra'e#. The/ believe# the/ "ere 'ivin' their tissues to a belove# #octor, not a sha#o"/ universit/ lur&in' in the bac&'roun#9 the/ thou'ht the/ "ere 'ivin' tissues specificall/ for prostate cancer research, not for an/ use, "hich the universit/ no" claims the ri'ht to #o. The notion that once /ou part "ith /our tissue /ou no lon'er have an/ ri'hts is absur#. 3onsi#er this> .n#er present la", if somebo#/ ta&es m/ picture, I have ri'hts forever in the use of that photo. T"ent/ /ears later, if somebo#/ publishes it or puts it in an a#vertisement, I still have ri'hts. But if somebo#/ ta&es m/ tissuepart of m/ ph/sical bo#/I have no ri'hts. This means I have more ri'hts over m/ ima'e than I have over the actual tissues of m/ bo#/. The re=uire# le'islation shoul# ensure that patients have control over their tissues. I #onate m/ tissues for a purpose, an# that purpose onl/. If, later, someone "ants to use them for another purpose, the/ nee# m/ permission a'ain. If the/ cant 'et permission, the/ cant use m/ tissues. Such a rule fulfills an important emotional nee#. But it also ac&no"le#'es that there ma/ be si'nificant le'al an# reli'ious reasons "h/ I #o not "ant m/ tissue use# for another purpose. We shoul# not fear that such re'ulations "ill inhibit research. )fter all, the National Institutes of 0ealth seems to be able to con#uct research "hile follo"in' these 'ui#elines. Nor shoul# "e accept the ar'ument that these rules impose an onerous bur#en. If a ma'a1ine can notif/ /ou that /our subscription has run out, a universit/ can notif/ /ou if the/ "ant to use /our tissues for a ne" purpose. K. -ass la"s to ensure that #ata about 'ene testin' is ma#e public. Ne" le'islation is nee#e# if the :B) is to publish a#verse results from 'ene therap/ trials. )t the moment, it cannot #o so. In the past, some researchers have trie# to prevent the reportin' of patient #eaths, claimin' that such #eaths "ere a tra#e secret. The public is increasin'l/ a"are of #efects in the s/stems "e use to report me#ical #ata. esearch #ata has not been ma#e available for other scientists to inspect9 full #isclosure has not

been re=uire#9 'enuinel/ in#epen#ent verification of fin#in's is rare. The result is a public expose# to untol# un&no"n ha1ar#s. Bias in publishe# stu#ies has become a ba# @o&e. -s/chiatrist +ohn Bavis loo&e# at the trials fun#e# b/ pharmaceutical companies in competition for the most effective of five #ifferent antips/chotic #ru's. 0e foun# that T5 percent of the time, the #ru' manufacture# b/ the compan/ sponsorin' Hpa/in' forI the stu#/ "as @u#'e# superior to the others. Whoever pai# for the stu#/ ha# the best #ru'. This shoul# not be ne"s. evie" stu#ies con#ucte# b/ those "ho have a financial or other interest in the outcome are not reliable because the/ are inherentl/ biase#. That fact shoul# be a##resse# b/ an information s/stem that #oes not permit biase# testin', an# ta&es steps to ensure that it #oes not occur. ;et 'ross bias remains far too common in me#icine, an# in certain other areas of hi'h,sta&es science as "ell. !overnment shoul# ta&e action. In the lon' run there is no constituenc/ for ba# information. In the short run, all sorts of 'roups "ant to ben# the facts their "a/. )n# the/ #o not hesitate to call their senators, Bemocratic or epublican. This "ill continue until the public #eman#s a chan'e. F. )voi# bans on research. Various 'roups of #ifferent political persuasions "ant to ban some aspect of 'enetic research. I a'ree that certain research ou'ht not to be pursue#, at least not no". But as a practical matter, I oppose bans on research an# technolo'/. Bans cant be enforce#. I #ont &no" "h/ "e have not learne# this lesson. :rom -rohibition to the "ar on #ru's, "e repeate#l/ in#ul'e the fantas/ that behavior can be banne#. Invariabl/ "e fail. )n# in a 'lobal econom/, bans ta&e on other meanin's> even if /ou stop research in one countr/, it still 'oes on in Shan'hai. So "hat have /ou accomplishe#? 8f course, hope sprin's eternal, an# fantasies never #ie> various 'roups ima'ine the/ can ne'otiate a 'lobal ban on certain research. But to the best of m/ &no"le#'e, there has never been a successful 'lobal ban on an/thin'. !enetic research is unli&el/ to be the first. M. escin# the Ba/h,Bole )ct. In ETG5, 3on'ress #eci#e# that the #iscoveries ma#e "ithin universities "ere not bein' ma#e "i#el/ available, to benefit the public. To move thin's alon', it passe# a la" permittin' universit/ researchers to sell their #iscoveries for their o"n profit, even "hen that research ha# been fun#e# b/ taxpa/er mone/. )s a result of this le'islation, most science professors no" have corporate tieseither to companies the/ have starte# or to other biotech companies. Thirt/ /ears a'o, there "as a #istinct #ifference in approach bet"een universit/ research an# that of private in#ustr/. To#a/ the #istinction is blurre#, or absent. Thirt/ /ears a'o, #isintereste# scientists "ere available to #iscuss an/ sub@ect affectin' the public. No", scientists have personal interests that influence their @u#'ment. )ca#emic institutions have chan'e# in unexpecte# "a/s> The ori'inal Ba/h,Bole le'islation reco'ni1e# that universities "ere not commercial entities, an# encoura'e# them to ma&e their research available to or'ani1ations that "ere. But to#a/, universities attempt to maximi1e profits b/ con#uctin' more an# more commercial "or& themselves, thus ma&in' their pro#ucts more

valuable to them "hen the/ are finall/ license#. :or example, if universities thin& the/ have a ne" #ru', the/ "ill #o the :B) testin' themselves, an# so on. Thus Ba/h,Bole has, para#oxicall/, increase# the commercial focus of the universit/. *an/ observers @u#'e the effect of this le'islation to be corruptin' an# #estructive to universities as institutions of learnin'. Ba/h,Bole "as al"a/s of uncertain benefit to the )merican taxpa/ers, "ho became, throu'h their 'overnment, uni=uel/ 'enerous investors. Taxpa/ers finance research, but "hen it bears fruit, the researchers sell it for their o"n institutional an# personal 'ain, after "hich the #ru' is sol# bac& to the taxpa/ers. 3onsumers thus pa/ top #ollar for a #ru' the/ helpe# finance. 8r#inaril/, "hen a venture capitalist invests in research, he or she expects a si'nificant return on investment. The )merican taxpa/er 'ets no return at all. The Ba/h,Bole le'islation anticipate# that the public "oul# receive a floo# of marvelous life,savin' therapies such that the investment strate'/ "oul# be @ustifie#. But that hasnt happene#. Instea#, the #ra"bac&s far out"ei'h the benefits. Secrec/ no" perva#es research, an# hampers me#ical pro'ress. .niversities that once provi#e# a scholarl/ haven from the "orl# are no" commerciali1e#the haven is 'one. Scientists "ho once felt a humanitarian callin' have become businessmen concerne# "ith profit an# loss. The life of the min# is a notion as =uaint as the "halebone corset. )ll these tren#s "ere perfectl/ clear to observers fifteen /ears a'o9 no one pai# much attention bac& then. No" the problems are becomin' clear to ever/one. ) 'oo# first step to"ar# restorin' the balance bet"een aca#emia an# corporations "ill be to repeal Ba/h,Bole le'islation. Biblio'raph/ Excellent boo&s on 'enetics are available to the 'eneral rea#er, inclu#in' man/ "ritten b/ researchers. This biblio'raph/ emphasi1es texts I use# to research this boo&. I relie# particularl/ on the "or& of la" professor (ori )n#re"s, authors *att i#le/ an# onal# Baile/, an# scientists +ohn )vise, Stuart Ne"man, an# (ouis,*arie 0ou#ebine.

)n#re"s, (ori, an# Boroth/ Nel&in.Bo#/ Ba1aar> The *ar&et for 0uman Tissue in the Biotechnolo'/ )'e. Ne" ;or&> 3ro"n -ublishers, 455E. :or man/ /ears, )n#re"s has been the most "i#e,ran'in' an# authoritative le'al scholar on 'enetic issues. Boroth/ Nel&in is a professor at Ne" ;or& .niversit/. Their boo& is comprehensive. )n#re"s, (ori B.The 3lone )'e> )#ventures in the Ne" Worl# of epro#uctive Technolo'/. Ne" ;or&> 0enr/ 0olt an# 3ompan/, ETTT. If /ou "ant to &no" about the real cases that are fictionali1e# here, rea# her boo&. )n#re"s, (ori B., *ax"ell +. *ehlman, an# *ar& ). othstein.!enetics> Ethics, (a" an# -olic/. )merican 3aseboo& Series. St. -aul, *inn.> West !roup, 4554. ) le'al text on 'enetic issues.

)vise, +ohn 3.The 0ope, 0/pe, an# ealit/ of !enetic En'ineerin'. Ne" ;or&> 8xfor# .niversit/ -ress, 455K. Bespite the a"&"ar# title, this is one of the best boo&s on 'enetic en'ineerin' for the 'eneral rea#er. It covers the entire fiel# from crops to pharmaceuticals to human 'ene therap/9 it is a#mirabl/ clear, an# the author explains exactl/ "hat proce#ures are bein' carrie# out at the 'enetic level. *ost boo&s #o not. If /ou are as&in' /ourself, $What exactl/ are the/#oin' ?% this is a 'oo# place to be'in. Baile/, onal#.(iberation Biolo'/> The Scientific an# *oral 3ase for the Biotech evolution. )mherst, N.;.> -rometheus, 455M. ) scientificall/ informe# criti=ue of bioconservativesthose in#ivi#uals from both the political left an# ri'ht "ho "ish to constrain the fiel#. Baile/s counterar'uments cite scientific realities9 he is respectful of opponents an# ultimatel/ entirel/ persuasive, in m/ vie". I re'ar# his boo& as the clearest an# most complete response to reli'ious ob@ections to biotechnolo'/. Buller, Bavi# +.)#aptin' *in#s> Evolutionar/ -s/cholo'/ an# the -ersistent Nuest for 0uman Nature. 3ambri#'e, *ass.> *IT -ress, 455M. ) criti=ue of evolutionar/ ps/cholo'/. 3hesterton, !. <.Whats Wron' "ith the Worl#. San :rancisco> I'natius -ress, ETE5. Bon vivant, "it, an# tireless author, 3hesterton lost the #ebate about the future #irection of societ/ to his contemporaries 0. !. Wells, Bertran# ussell, an# !eor'e Bernar# Sha". 3hesterton sa" the implications of their vision of t"entieth,centur/ societ/, an# he pre#icte# exactl/ "hat "oul# come of it. 3hesterton is not a con'enial st/list to the mo#ern rea#er9 his "itticisms are formal, his references to contemporaries, lost in time. But his essential points are chillin'l/ clear. 3hesterton, !. <.Eu'enics an# 8ther Evils> )n )r'ument )'ainst the Scientificall/ 8r'ani1e# Societ/. E#ite# b/ *ichael W. -err/. Seattle> In&lin' Boo&s, 4555. 8ri'inall/ publishe# in ET44, this astonishin'l/ prescient text has much to sa/ about our un#erstan#in' of 'enetics then Han# no"I, an# about the mass se#uction of pseu#oscience. 3hestertons "as one of the fe" voices to oppose eu'enics in the earl/ t"entieth centur/. 0e sa" ri'ht throu'h it as frau#ulent on ever/ level, an# he pre#icte# "here it "oul# lea#, "ith 'reat accurac/. 0is critics "ere le'ion9 the/ revile# him as reactionar/, ri#iculous, i'norant, h/sterical, incoherent, an# blin#l/ pre@u#ice#, notin' "ith #isma/ that $his influence in lea#in' people in the "ron' #irection is consi#erable.% ;et 3hesterton "as ri'ht, an# the consensus of scientists, political lea#ers, an# the intelli'entsia "as "ron'. 3hesterton live# to see the horrors of Na1i !erman/. This boo& is "orth rea#in' because, in retrospect, it is clear that 3hestertons ar'uments "ere perfectl/ sensible an# #eservin' of an ans"er, an# /et he "as simpl/ shoute# #o"n. )n# because the most repellent i#eas of eu'enics are bein' promote# a'ain in the t"ent/,first centur/, un#er various 'uises. The e#itor of this e#ition has inclu#e# man/ =uotations from eu'enicists of the ET45s, "hich rea# astonishin'l/ li&e the "or#s of contemporar/ prophets of #oom. Some thin's never chan'e inclu#in', unfortunatel/, the 'ullibilit/ of press an# public. We human bein's #ont li&e to loo& bac& at our past mista&es. But "e shoul#. :or'acs, !abor, an# Stuart ). Ne"man.Biolo'ical -h/sics of the Bevelopin' Embr/o. 3ambri#'e, En'lan#> 3ambri#'e .niversit/ -ress, 455M. ) colle'e,level text on a crucial sub@ect.

:u&u/ama, :rancis.8ur -osthuman :uture> 3onse=uences of the Biotechnolo'/ evolution. Ne" ;or&> :arrar, Straus an# !iroux, 4554. 3ritics on both the left an# ri'ht perceive impen#in' #ehumani1ation from biotechnolo'/. :u&u/ama ar'ues that "e can control biotechnolo'/, an# shoul#. While I a'ree that one ou'ht not to assume that technolo'/ is uncontrollable, in this case I #oubt control is possible. 0amer, Bean, an# -eter 3opelan#.The Science of Besire> The Search for the !a/ !ene an# the Biolo'/ of Behavior. Ne" ;or&> Simon an# Schuster, ETTF. ) boo& as curious an# obli=ue as the #iscover/ that prompte# it. amblin', 'oo#,nature#, informative. 0or'an, +ohn.The En# of Science. ea#in', *ass.> )##ison Wesle/, ETT6. ) remar&able boo&, "illfull/ misrea# b/ most of its attac&ers. .The .n#iscovere# *in#> 0o" the 0uman Brain Befies eplication, *e#ication, an# Explanation. Ne" ;or&> The :ree -ress, ETTT. 0or'an is one of the bri'htest an# most iconoclastic observers of science to#a/. 0is prose is bracin' an# his vie"point subtle. 0ou#ebine, (ouis,*arie.)nimal Trans'enesis an# 3lonin'. 0obo&en, N.+.> +ohn Wile/ an# Sons, 455K. ) clear #iscussion of trans'enesis that is accessible to the intereste#, not,ver/, technical rea#er. Insertin' 'enes into embr/os is immensel/ complex. <ni'ht, 0. +ac&son.-atent Strate'/ for esearchers an# esearch *ana'ers. 4# e#ition. 3hichester, En'lan#> +ohn Wile/ an# Sons, ETT6. <rims&/, Shel#on, an# -eter Shorett, e#s. i'hts an# (iberties in the Biotech )'e> Wh/ We Nee# a !enetic Bill of i'hts. (anham, *#.> o"man an# (ittlefiel#, 455M. This collection of ver/ brief essa/s i#entifies a ran'e of concerns amon' those "ho feel that biotechnolo'/ must be limite#. Some essa/s a##ress science9 others raise philosophical or le'al issues. <rims&/, Shel#on.Science in the -rimate Interest> 0as the (ure of -rofits 3orrupte# Biome#ical esearch? (anham, *#.> o"man an# (ittlefiel#, 455K. <rims&/ "as one of the earliest, an# has been one of the most persistent, critics of the commerciali1ation of biolo'/. ) thou'htful, important boo& that in#icates the complexities "ithin the tren# to aca#emic commerce. (arson, E#"ar# +.Summer for the !o#s> The Scopes Trial an# )mericas 3ontinuin' Bebate over Science an# eli'ion. 3ambri#'e, *ass.> 0arvar# .niversit/ -ress, ETTV. :e" events in )merican histor/ are as misun#erstoo# as the Scopes trial. To#a/ it is emblematic of a "ar bet"een science an# reli'ion. In fact, it "as nothin' of the sort9 the truth is far more amusin', complex, an# provocative. ) 'em of a boo&. *i#'le/, *ar/. Evolution as a eli'ion. (on#on> *ethuen an# 3o., ETGM. 8ur attitu#e to"ar# 'enetics is closel/ tie# to our un#erstan#in' of evolution. ) lon',simmerin' philosophical #ebate concerns the "a/ "e thin& about evolution an# "hat lessons "e #ra" from it. I fin# this #ebate more interestin' than the #ebate that 'ets all the me#ia attention, "hich has to #o "ith the mechanisms of evolution. *i#'le/, a British philosopher "ho has a##resse# scientific sub@ects

all her life, #oes not hesitate to ta&e on sacre# co"s an# those lea#in' li'hts "hose thou'hts she re'ar#s as uninforme# or shallo". *oore, Bavi# S. The Bepen#ent !ene> The :allac/ of $Nature vs. Nurture.% Ne" ;or&> 0enr/ 0olt an# 3ompan/, 455E. ) ps/cholo'ist a''ressivel/ attac&s notions that 'enes an# environment interact in an/ simple or even measurable "a/. 0is assessment of such terms as here#itabilit/ ma&e this boo& "orth rea#in'. 8ne ma/ conclu#e that the author protests too much9 nevertheless, he exemplifies the #eep passions that characteri1e the nature\nurture #ebate. *oran'e, *ichel.The *isun#erstoo# !ene. 3ambri#'e, *ass.> 0arvar# .niversit/ -ress, 455E. *ueller, +anice *.)n Intro#uction to -atent (a". Ne" ;or&> )spen -ublishers, 455K. National esearch 3ouncil of the National )ca#emies. eapin' the Benefits of !enomic an# -roteomic esearch> Intellectual -ropert/ i'hts, Innovation, an# -ublic 0ealth. Washin'ton, B.3.> National )ca#emies -ress, 4556. !ene patents en#an'er future research. -etr/na, )#riana, )n#re" (a&off, an# )rthur <leinman, e#s.!lobal -harmaceuticals> Ethics, *ar&ets, -ractices. Burham, N.3.> Bu&e .niversit/ -ress, 455M. -incus, +onathan 0., an# !ar/ +. Tuc&er.Behavioral Neurolo'/, Fth e#ition. Ne" ;or&> 8xfor# .niversit/ -ress, ETVF. i#le/, *att.!enome> The )utobio'raph/ of a Species in 4K 3hapters. Ne" ;or&> 0arper3ollins, ETTT. i#le/ is that rarest of science "riters, one "ho is able to be entertainin' an# also not simplif/ the material. )n eas/ an# rea#able st/le, 'oo# humor, rich anec#otes, an# a 'enerall/ livel/ min#. .The )'ile !ene> 0o" Nature Turns on Nurture. Ne" ;or&> 0arper3ollins, 455K. 0o" #o 'enes interact "ith the environment? What constitutes an environmental or a 'enetic effect? With brilliant examples, i#le/ ta&es the rea#er throu'h the intricacies. Sar'ent, *ichael !. Biome#icine an# the 0uman 3on#ition> 3hallen'es, is&s, an# e"ar#s.Ne" ;or&> 3ambri#'e .niversit/ -ress, 455M. Shan&s, -ete.0uman !enetic En'ineerin'> ) !ui#e for )ctivists, S&eptics, an# the Ver/ -erplexe#. Ne" ;or&> Nation Boo&s, 455M. Balance#, strai'htfor"ar#, eas/ to rea#. Stoc&, !re'or/. e#esi'nin' 0umans> 8ur Inevitable !enetic :uture. Ne" ;or&> 0ou'hton *ifflin, 4554. ) .3() bioph/sicist embraces this ne" technolo'/ "hile attemptin' to clarif/ the reasons "h/ others oppose or fear it. Tancre#i, (aurence.0ar#"ire# Behavior> What Neuroscience eveals )bout *oralit/. Ne" ;or&> 3ambri#'e .niversit/ -ress, 455M. The author is experience# in both me#icine an# la", an# presents a bris&, en'a'in' overvie". 0e #istin'uishes clearl/ bet"een present realities an# future possibilities.

..S. Bepartment of 3ommerce.-atents an# 0o" to !et 8ne> ) -ractical 0an#boo&. Ne" ;or&> Bover -ublications, 4555. Wailoo, <eith, an# Stephen -emberton.The Trouble# Bream of !enetic *e#icine. Baltimore> +ohns 0op&ins .niversit/ -ress, 4556. Watson, +ames B.The Bouble 0elix. Ne" ;or&> Touchstone, 455E. ) classic. ) memoir as brilliant as the #iscover/ itself. Weiner, +onathan.Time, (ove, *emor/> ) !reat Biolo'ist an# 0is Nuest for the 8ri'ins of Behavior. Ne" ;or&> <nopf, ETTT. Too man/ boo&s fail to 'ive an/ sense of ho" science is actuall/ #one. This #eli'htful boo& focuses on Se/mour Ben1er an# his "or&. West,Eberhar#, *ar/ +ane.Bevelopmental -lasticit/ an# Evolution. Ne" ;or&> 8xfor# .niversit/ -ress, 455K. The relationship of plasticit/ to evolution is central to our un#erstan#in' of ho" evolution actuall/ occurs. It is a #ifficult sub@ect here ma#e clear in an excellent text. ) TI3(ES, - ESS )ttanasio, +ohn B. $The 3onstitutionalit/ of e'ulatin' 0uman !enetic En'ineerin'> Where -rocreative (ibert/ an# E=ual 8pportunit/ 3olli#e,%The .niversit/ of 3hica'o (a" evie" MK HETG6I> E4VF2EKF4. I or#inaril/ #isli&e far,out speculation, but this essa/, no" t"ent/ /ears ol#, remains remar&able for its #etaile# an# complex presentation. 3harlton, Bruce !. $The rise of the bo/,'enius> -s/cholo'ical neoten/, science an# mo#ern life,%*e#ical 0/potheses 6V, no. F H4556I> 6VT2GE. Bobson, o'er, an# )bul Tahar. $3ave'irls Were the :irst Blon#es to 0ave :un,%The Sun#a/ Times H..<.I, :ebruar/ 46, 4556. *arshall, Eliot. $:rau# Stri&es Top !enome (ab,%Science 4VF HETT6I> T5G2TE5. Ne"man, Stuart ). $)vertin' the 3lone )'e> -rospects an# -erils of 0uman Bevelopmental *anipulation,%+ournal of 3ontemporar/ 0ealth (a" an# -olic/ ET, no. E H455KI> FKE26K. ) scientist presents the anti,clonin' case. -atterson, N., Baniel +. ichter, Sante !nerre, Eric S. (an#er, an# Bavi# eich. $!enetic evi#ence for complex speciation of humans an# chimpan1ees,%Nature Ha#vance online publicationI, B8I> E5.E5KG\nature 5FVGT. a@'hatta, 3hi#anan#. $Blon#es Extinction eport Is -i'ment of Ima'ination,%Times of In#ia , 8ctober K, 4554. $Scientist )#mits :a&in' Stem 3ell Bata,%Ne" ;or& Times, +ul/ M, 4556.

Stern, )n#re". $)rtist See&s to :ree 0is !lo"in' 3reation abbit,% euters, September 4K, 4555, http>\\""".e&ac.or'\reuters.html Wa#e, Nicholas. $.niversit/ -anel :aults 3lonin' 3o,)uthor,%Ne" ;or& Times, :ebruar/ EE, 4556. . $+ournal to Examine 0o" It evie"e# )rticles,%Ne" ;or& Times, +anuar/ EE, 4556. Nen' ;u, *.B., *ar'ot S. <rus&all, *.B., +uan +. ;unis, *.B., +oan 0.*. <noll, -h.B., (/nne .hl, *.B., Sharon )losco, *.T., *arina 8hashi, 8l'a 3lavi@o, Sahee# 0usain, -h.B., Emilio +. ;unis, *.B., +or'e +. ;unis, *.B., an# E#mon# +. ;unis, *.B. H4554I. $Bispute# maternit/ lea#in' to i#entification of tetra'ametic chimerism,%Ne" En'lan# +ournal of *e#icine KF6, no. 45> EMFM2M4. INTE NET S8. 3ES $Berlusconis :at Becomes Soap.% http>\\""".ananova.com\ne"s\stor/\sm^EF4FFVE.html $ABerlusconis :at *oul#e# to )rt.% BB3 Ne"s, +une 45, 455M. http>\\ne"s.bbc.co.u&\4\hi\entertainment\FEE5F54.stm $Blon#e Extinction.% http>\\""".snopes.com\science\stats\blon#es.asp $Blon#es to Bie 8ut in 455 ;ears.% BB3 Ne"s, September 4V, 4554. $Extinction of Blon#es Vastl/ 8verreporte#, *e#ia :ail to 3hec& oot of AStu#/.% Washin'ton -ost, 8ctober 4, 4554. $!enetic Savin's X 3lone.% http>\\""".savin'san#clone.com\ $*arco Evaristti, -olpette al 'rasso #i *arco, 4556 Hto fr/ in his o"n fatI.% http>\\""".evaristti.com\ne"s\meatball.htm $It eall/ 0auls )ss.% Wire#, *a/ 4556. http>\\"""."ire#.com\"ire#\archive\EF.5M\start.html *arshall, Eliot. $:amilies Sue 0ospital, Scientist for 3ontrol of 3anavan !ene.% http>\\""".sciencema'.or'\c'i\content\summar/\4T5\MFTF\E564 $The 3actus -ro@ect.% http>\\""".thecactuspro@ect.com\ima'es.asp $Tissue En'ineerin'> The Beat !oes 8n> Nature.% """.nature.com\nature\@ournal\vF4E\n6T46\full\F4EGGFa.htm W08. $3larification of erroneous ne"s reports in#icatin' W08 'enetic research on hair color.% 8ctober E, 4554. http>\\"""."ho.int\me#iacentre\ne"s\statements\statement5M\en\

)bout the )uthor MICHAEL CRICHTON is best &no"n for the novels +urassic -ar& an# State of :ear . 0e is also the creator of the television series E . The first of his controversial novels "as publishe# "hile he "as still in me#ical school. """.michaelcrichton.net