The Viral Epiphany Read Online Free

hopefully, would be able to predict the evolution of the mammoth genome and demonstrate how the mammoths have morphed into the elephants we have today.   The mathematical technique, that also employs advanced nonsymmetrical methods, if successful, would have many other applications.”
                “I see,” Stephen replied, not really understanding why Dan would want to do such research.
                “I also plan to select a grad student to work with the actual mammoth sample. I expect he or she might be able to create a great thesis project with it.”
                Stephen momentarily gaped in surprise at Dan’s answer; then he quickly looked back toward the mammoth to conceal the expression on his face. Have a grad student work with the mammoth material? he thought. What the hell is wrong with him? Doesn’t he get it? This is the find of the century, if not the find of all time!   Then he turned back to Dan.
                “Yes, yes. Of course, Dan,” he said, “good idea, let’s get out of here, OK?   This is too cold for me!”   He held the door for Dan as they walked out and as he closed it he took one last, long look at the mammoth.
    Dan, you are so foolish, he said to himself, you have no idea of the opportunity you have let slip away!…That’s all right; I don’t need you anyway.   I know I can do it by myself, he said to himself with a slight nod, I know I can clone this animal!
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

Three
     
     
                A world away from the frozen wastes of Siberia, a solitary vulture glided over the Malaysian jungle canopy, then slowly turned and flapped its wings.   It was in no hurry for there had been plenty to eat, and as it looked down from its circular orbit it knew there would soon be much more.
                Chuck Dering stopped his Land Rover in the middle of the muddy road and watched the vulture until it disappeared beyond the trees.   Taking a dirt-smeared handkerchief from his pocket he again wiped the sweat from his face.   Then he turned to his partner, Jim Burton.   “Looks like we’re getting close to the village.”
                Jim studied the blinking display on his portable GPS unit for a minute before he replied.   The handheld device had a pale blue, waterproof, plastic cover with an embossed logo of the United Nations and the acronym UNAPS – the United Nations Agency for Population Safety.   The agency had been created several years before following the catastrophic epidemics and wars of Northern Africa that had eliminated almost half the population of that region.   UNAPS was now a worldwide first responder with a charter to go into regions where disease is rampant.   One division of UNAPS, made up of doctors and nurses, provided acute medical care, but Chuck and Jim were members of a different division called First Strike.   They were microbiologists, specialists in viral and bacterial genetics, and their mission was to obtain samples of extremely virulent disease organisms, particularly when it appeared that there might be an outbreak of a new disease.
                “My guess is that it’s about a mile further up the river,” Jim said.
                The red dirt road ran parallel to a small river, the Sungei Hitam , that was not noted on most maps. They were traveling to an orang asli village called Kampong Ulu Hitam in response to an urgent message sent the previous day by an official of the Malaysian health authority.   An extremely virulent disease had broken out several days ago that the authorities thought had been dengue hemorrhagic fever, but now the officials weren’t so sure.   Dengue hemorrhagic fever is endemic in the jungles of Malaysia and is known to often be fatal. But this was different.   So far fifteen people had died in only five days, and yes,