THE FOREVER GENE (THE SCIONS OF EARTH Book 1) Read Online Free Page A

his time at MIT, David developed the theory that it is possible to extend a person's lifespan indefinitely by means of a synthetic gene implanted into the person's DNA.  The gene continuously erases the memory of the age control genes, causing them to forget to slow down the renewal process.  David took the theory to his friend Charles and, using the latest nano-technology, they engineered a partly biological, partly electronic gene.  They patented it as the 'Forever Gene' and, together with a team of medical specialists, developed the medical procedure by which it is implanted."
    Vernon and Kimberley sat watching intently, and David could see from the set of their features that they had already made their decision and were purely looking for confirmation.
    "If you are watching this presentation, you will already have had a series of medical tests.  A sample of your DNA has been obtained and, should you decide to proceed with the treatment, the identity and location of your age-control genes will be used to programme your implant."
      The video panned across an elegant country house in a beautiful setting on the coast overlooking Gardiner's Bay, with its fishing vessels chugging by in the distance, before moving on to show luxurious suites, spa facilities, and a gymnasium.
    "You will spend six weeks at one of our treatment facilities in Boston, New Orleans, Houston, Omaha, San Francisco or Seattle.  The choice is yours.  During this time the Forever Gene will be inserted into your DNA by means of a series of injections.  The procedure is relatively painless and you should suffer no discomfort.  Your health will be monitored constantly and every precaution will be observed to ensure your safety and well-being.  Once the procedure has been completed, you will be asked to return for a few days each year for five years, during which time we will test your biological age to ensure that it has remained constant.  You will be pleased to know that, in the eleven years of our existence, none of our patients has failed to successfully assimilate the Forever Gene and, according to our research in that time, none have aged biologically to any measurable degree.  Our research has been published in a number of periodicals and journals available on the Personet, and none of it has been validly challenged."
    The clip ended, mercifully without any platitudes extolling the benefits of an extended lifespan, and David smiled warmly at Vernon and Kimberley as they confirmed that they were both happy to go ahead with the treatment.  They decided on the Houston facility and David called Penelope in to make the booking for them.  Vernon activated his 'link so that he could transfer the fee of ten million dollars there and then. Kimberley rolled her eyes at his boorishness and she and David stood up and took a slow walk towards the other end of the office, David pointing out some of his favourite novels on the bookshelves.
    The cost of the Forever Gene had been controversial from the beginning.  It had been an expensive process, not only to create the gene, but also to register the patent, develop the medical procedure by which it could be implanted, test it, navigate the stringent requirements of the Food and Drug Administration for its approval, and set up the facilities to make the implant commercially available.  The cost of the research and development of the gene itself had been covered by a grant from MIT, but neither David nor Chunky had the money to take the next step.  The technology was too innovative for any financial institution to fund, and too controversial for any drug company to gamble on. 
    Luckily, by the time they had completed their degrees, the research they had done had gained enough credibility that they were able to offer the best post-graduates from MIT and neighbouring Boston University a stake in the project.  Fifteen budding professionals agreed to invest and, when the time came to calculate the price of