World without Cats Read Online Free Page B

might be almost asymptomatic in the heterozygous state. Sure enough, in the next litter from the same parents, one kitten of the four had the disease. So, to answer your question, the disease has been perpetuated in the laboratory by breeding cats heterozygous for the MEFA gene.”
    Noah sensed that the listeners had become restive. “Look, I know this is kind of heavy stuff, but what I want to emphasize is that there really is little or no risk for people associated with this research.
    “Many years ago, after several years of analyzing possible dangers involved in gene-cloning experiments, the National Institutes of Health established safety guidelines for the design of laboratories where recombinant DNA experiments were to be carried out. These guidelines specify four levels of possible risk. The lowest, or safest level, is the so-called Biosafety Level-1 lab. The next level is BSL-2 and so on up to BSL-4 for the really dangerous stuff like Ebola. Our research falls in the BSL-2 category and we follow the guidelines strictly.”
    “Why should we trust you?” yelled a voice from the rear. Several similar shouts followed. Stanaland stood. Immediately the hall was silent.
    “Here’s why,” Noah responded. “The NIH requires all institutions where gene-cloning experiments are carried out to have a special committee called the Institutional Biosafety Committee, or IBC, that makes sure that the guidelines are followed. Dr. Vernon here is the biological safety officer for CSUCI. In addition, two members of the IBC are appointed from the community. One of them is the Ventura County health officer, Dr. Jerome Robinson.
    “In addition, our animal facilities are inspected four times a year by members of the IACUC—that’s the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee. Dr. Krishnamurti here, the campus veterinarian, heads that committee.
    “The IACUC is responsible for making sure that all animals used in research are treated humanely. In fact, no investigator can use experimental animals at all until his or her research proposal has been approved by the IACUC.” Noah mopped his forehead with his handkerchief. “There are four other members of the committee, including two members of the clergy, Reverend Darius Shultz, of the First Methodist Church in Camarillo, and Sister Damien Nuñez.”
    Noah motioned to Dr. Stanaland, indicating that he was finished. “Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to describe my research to you,” he concluded and, with George nestled in the crook of his arm, he returned to his seat.
    “Ms. Weiss, do you wish to respond?” offered Stanaland.
    Anneke rose. “Thank you, Professor Stanaland.” She removed her glasses, paused, and looked out over the hall. With a strong voice, she read from a deck of note cards, carefully placing each at the bottom of the stack as she finished with it. “I wish to address two facets of Dr. Chamberlin’s research—the immorality of using cats as research animals, and the danger of doing gene-cloning experiments.” She spoke in a measured cadence. Noah discretely popped an antacid tablet into his mouth.
    Anneke took a deep breath. “Since the beginnings of science, we have used animals as mere objects to be exploited, as if they weren’t sentient creatures.” She paused between sentences. “In fact, it wasn’t too long ago that scientists thought nothing of cutting open live animals, without anesthesia, for experimentation.” This brought forth a murmur from the audience. “Toward the beginning of the last century, some courageous individuals began to question such vivisection, and, eventually, it became outlawed in civilized countries. It is heartening that, as we evolve as a society, we become more ethical—more moral.” She stopped, transferred the top card to the bottom of the pile and again looked out over the audience.
    At that moment, George the cat gave forth with a piercing yowl that began with a high note and gradually descended