by David Harp
Chapter 54
Pandora’s Box
Dan started having dizzy spells in 2017. It was fifteen years after he was test subject for the Optical Displacement Regulator (ODR). His unsteadiness worsened culminating in a complete loss of balance.
After Dan was thoroughly examined, doctors realized the ODR had altered his inner ear. A surgeon corrected the deformity, but was unable to determine why it had taken over a decade for symptoms to occur.
Nine years later in 2026, Dan’s inner ear once again became deformed and the dizzy spells returned. By that time, Steve and Tammy had two beautiful children and a nice home on Lake Placid. Tammy had completed a second PhD in Biology and was working on a controversial method of gene therapy. She speculated that Dan’s DNA had been altered by the ODR.
The bad news was that the altered DNA would cause the deformity to regrow. The good news was that Tammy’s new gene therapy could be used as a treatment.
While Steve was traveling overseas to promote the Code of Acceptable Practices in Genetic Modification, Tammy worked with Dan to develop a permanent cure. She performed an exhaustive review of his medical records and Steve’s notes from the original ODR study, plus a meticulous review of Dan’s DNA.
Claude had directed geneticists to compile a detailed map of Dan’s unique DNA when he enrolled at the Institute in 2001. They repeated the procedure twenty years later due to more accurate measuring methods.
Researchers compared the measurements and identified tiny changes in some of Dan’s amino acids, but found nothing they considered significant.
Tammy reviewed the data and discovered the genes associated with those amino acids were the same responsible for development of the inner ear. She concluded the ODR did not cause an immediate change in the inner ear. Instead, the ODR stimulated the amino acids in Dan’s DNA which eventually altered tiny particles called otoconia within the auditory hair cells. This explained why symptoms took so long to develop and returned years after surgery.
Tammy used the data from Steve’s original work to adjust the ODR treatments. To the horror and loud protests of other doctors, she planned to treat Dan by exposing him to the same machine which caused the problem. Three doctors demanded she stop immediately and went to Claude for help. He called Tammy into his office.
“Give me one good reason why I should let you continue Dan’s treatment,” he said.
“I believe the Optical Displacement Regulator was used by the Nina Nizhoni for gene therapy,” she answered. “It’s a device used to change the DNA in living tissue. Treating Dan with the ODR is the only way to prevent his inner ear from becoming deformed for a third time.”
“If that’s true Tammy, the implications are profound. ODR therapy would provide a non-invasive technique to turn off bad genes and turn on the good. We could extend life, eradicate cancer and manage mental disorders.” Claude’s voice was subdued. HHe looked worried.
“You don’t seem very excited. Is something wrong?” Tammy asked.
“If you can prevent cancer and mental disorders by altering DNA with this device, you can also cause them. In theory, you could alter a person’s DNA without them knowing. This device could be worse than Pandora’s Box.”
Despite his concerns, Claude trusted Tammy to continue treating Dan with the ODR. He assigned a certified geneticist to track changes at the cellular level. The geneticist was there for Dan’s protection, but his findings provided Tammy with critical information proving Dan’s DNA had been altered.
After successfully treating Dan’s altered DNA, Tammy began considering ways to use the new form of gene therapy. She and Steve spent weeks reviewing the data when he returned from his overseas trip.
Steve rushed to Claude’s office.
“We have proof! Repeated exposure to the ODR changes a person’s DNA. I’d like to head up a project with Tammy to demonstrate the potential of the device,” Steve told Claude.
Claude’s expression was tense and stern. “I don’t know. This thing could get out of hand real fast. What do you have in mind?”
“I think we should find an extreme case so we’re easily able to verify progress. I’d like to take someone with a severe genetic personality disorder and see if we can help them.”
“And where would you find such a person?”
“In prison.”
Claude grimaced and shook his head. “No way! We’ve worked far too long and hard establishing ORION as a preeminent leader in the scientific community. We’re not going to jeopardize our reputation by playing Doctor Frankenstein to the criminally insane.”
“Just think about it Claude. Imagine what it would mean to society if we could rehabilitate violent psychopaths. They make up only two-percent of the nation, but constitute a quarter of the prison population and are responsible for the largest number of violent crimes.”
Claude appeared unconvinced. “You know very well psychopaths aren’t always violent or even criminal. I’ll admit most are obnoxious SOBs, but they tend to be of above average intellect, productive, and creative. They’re an important part of the human genetic pool and removing them could result in the loss of countless scientists, artists and geniuses. Besides, many couples are already having prenatal screening to detect genes which could lead to psychopathic development.”
“I know,” Steve said as he tried to reassure Claude. “I’m only asking to conduct a low-profile test program with one volunteer.”
“I don’t think I’ve ever turned down a request from you Steve, but I’m going to have to give this some serious deliberation. Submit your proposal to me in writing and I’ll consider it, but I’m not optimistic.”
In an effort to avoid unwanted publicity, Steve and Tammy suggested no other personnel be assigned to the project. The volunteer test subject would be Robert Lomax who was serving a life sentence for the brutal murder of at least six different victims. He had all the DNA markers associated with a violent psychopath. The prison had indicated its willingness to transfer him and Lomax was happy to escape solitary confinement.
Claude initially said no to the trial, but six months later a young man walked into a high school gymnasium and murdered forty-three students before being killed by police. He had sought psychiatric help on at least two occasions.
“The ODR could have helped that man and saved those kids,” Steve said as he asked once again to conduct the test. “This is why we must act,” he told Claude.
“O.K.,” Claude said in resignation. “But be careful, Lomax is a dangerous man. If anything happened to you or Tammy,” he hesitated, unable to finish the sentence.
Lomax was quietly transferred from the Federal Penitentiary in Leavenworth, Kansas to a high security cell at the end of an isolated tunnel under the ORION Institute. Steve and Tammy were the only people allowed to have contact with him. Even the security guards communicated and delivered supplies via an automated system.