Applause. A projected image of
a hairless pink mouse, in a cage labeled F-451 appears on the screen behind Dr.
Tulane
Subject F-451 is our most advanced,
ah, student! Many of my staff have nicknamed this subject "The Brain", after, I
believe, a popular Warner Brothers cartoon character. The name is appropriate,
considering his accomplishments.
The slide changes to a picture
of the Brain being show an illustration of a complex
maze
Our "Brain" is now being shown an
abstract representation, a map, if you will, of the maze he will need to
transverse.
The screen behind Dr. Tulane
changes to a down shot of the same complex maze shown in the illustration. The
"Brain" is seen running, without hesitation towards the food reward. Gasps of
amazement from the crowd
No. No tricks here. If you have
read my original paper, you know this to be the logical final stage. Our "Brain"
can actually understand an abstraction of the maze, and perceive the full
spatial relationship between the two. Our "Brain", is indeed, a genius amongst
his fellow mice!
Some laughter from the crowd.
The screen shows another maze, a much simpler one. The Brain is featured here
too. But he is wondering aimlessly between to dead
ends
This
film was taken before the neurological augmentation surgery took place. The
"Brain" started out, as, well, a bit of a moron. He was breed specifically from
a line of mice that failed most of these basic mazes. This was done to contrast
the enhancements in his neurological functions, and to assure that the chemistry
of his brain met certain prerequisites for the procedure.
There
is enough of a contrast, in fact, to finally win approval for the ultimate test.
We have been granted permission to begin human testing!
Cheers, and gasps from the
audience
The
procedure itself is simple. Using undifferentiated neural stem cells, cultured
in our laboratory, we inject these cells into specific regions of the
brain.
The
screen behind the doctor shows a diagram of a human brain. Using a laser
pointer, Dr. Tulane points to the regions to be
injected
The new
cells then grow, and interconnect with the surrounding neurons. The new cells
then provide a source of neurotransmitters. Within months, regions of the brain
that have never been in contact with each other before begin to simulate each
other. The relative IQ of the individual will double, or perhaps, even
triple.
More
gasps
Indeed.
There is the potential for the greatest leap in human evolution, ever. But the
problem is finding a subject.
As
those of you who have followed my work know, the best results have been with
subjects whose brains have a reduced ability to produce various
neurotransmitters the brain needs for its normal functioning. When the stem
cells were injected into test animals with normal neurotransmitter production,
the sudden spike in the brain chemistry can cause dangerous psychotic reactions
in 62% of the subjects.
Obviously, this is too high a risk
for most human subjects. Our best subject is a human who suffers from specific
neurotransmitter deficiencies. The ideal subject would exhibit normal or
exceptional behavior in some activities, such as sport, where primarily the
motor neurons and cerebellum of the brain are primarily involved, but would show
a pronounced show witted behavior, or as my daughter would call it,
"cluelessness" at more intellectual tasks. But where would I find such an
individual?
The
image behind the doctor changes again. It shows Ms. Li pumping the hand of Dr.
Tulane in her office. Standing in the background is Daria, looking bored with
the proceedings. Next to her is Kevin, looking
dull-witted
I
received a paper last year from a colleague who felt I might find it of
interest. He came into possession of a paper written by two high school students
from the woman in the photo, who is the principal of the high school where it
originated. She apparently felt that my interest in the paper would bring some
level of prestige for her students, and for the high school in
question.
The
paper was a fascinating one, and it was surprising that it came as the result of
an assignment given in the high school science class. It chronicled the
psychological changes in a mouse, which was accidentally, but then,
systematically tormented by the younger sibling of another student.
I interviewed the students who are credited with the paper. Within 30 seconds, I determined that the young girl in the photo, who I will call "D" for the sake of privacy, was really the sole author of the paper. She proved to be bright, and unusually talented for someone her age.
But the truly fascinating individual is the young male, who I will refer to as "K". He is the quarterback of the football team, a fact he felt he had to remind me of many times by saying "I'm the QB". A look at the boy's academic standing after my interview confirmed what I already knew; he fit the profile I was looking for.
The scene changes to a shot of Kevin's house. The doctor is shown sitting with both of Kevin's parents
I contacted the subject's parents,
and obtained permission to test both them and "K". They consented, primarily
because the father thought that the procedure would bring up his son's grades,
and keep him on the football team, so the team would make the state
championships.
Some snickers at
this
Yes.
Not a lofty goal, but then not surprising. Both parents suffer from the same
neurotransmitter deficiencies; they have the same diminished intellectual
capacity. Subject "K" is more deficient than both of them combined. Like our
subject the "Brain", he seems to be "bred" with the prerequisites for our
procedure. An ideal subject!
With
the releases signed, "K" is scheduled to receive augmentation surgery during the
summer months, so he will be ready for school in the fall. As part of the study,
he will be required to maintain a journal of his
experiences.
Screen changes to a face shot of Kevin, clueless as always
Subject "K" does not know it, but
he represents the future of humanity! The implications of success are
staggering!
I
promise I will keep you all abreast of his progress.
Applause. The doctor departs
the stage