Post by Toruk Makto on Jun 27, 2010 21:00:55 GMT -5
"The original AVTR project piloted by Dr. Grace Augustine has been defunct since the War," Max said, his brown eyes serious and unsmiling at the camera in front of him. "That doesn't mean we've stopped collecting data. On the contrary, we have only changed our focus. The majority of our data is now scans and studies of Avatar and Na'vi DNA.
He holds a sheaf of papers up in front of him, tapping at them with his right forefinger then glances back at the camera. "The problem is, these data are not only incomplete, they have no reference points."
Silence fills the lab. Max is no longer focused on the camera. He appears lost in thought. A minute goes by before he abruptly looks up and clears his throat.
"Yes. Well. I have four or five mated and pregnant Avatar - Na'vi couples arriving here today, looking for any answers I can give them. They look to me for reassurance, for knowledge, for comfort. And what can I tell them?
"Not at lot. Not nearly enough. And how are they going to understand this?
"We have human DNA sequencers and chip arrays which will inventory the 25,000 human genes on the DNA helix. So far, so good, but the DNA in a liver cell is the same as the DNA in a fingertip. What tells it to code only those proteins necessary to function as a liver cell? It's the chemical markers and switches which are coiled within the DNA strand. They act as software to the DNA's hardware. It's called epigenetics.
"So what activates this epigenetic software? Your total environment. A brief exposure to any chemical, say vitamin or toxin, can flip any of these switches and rewrite a person's biological software, changing a body or brain for life. Even a relationship with someone like a neglectful parent or a loving mate can cause a chemical cascade which will alter the biological system by flipping epigenetic switches on or off.
"We used to think DNA was the answer to everything. Now we know it's only part of the puzzle. It is well known that what a person eats or drinks or smokes today will affect the behavior and health of his children and grandchildren, on down the line. True science, proven again and again."
He looks to his left and gestures at a tall stack of medical reference books, neatly arranged next to an axial blood spin separator and a microscope. His brow furrows as he turns his gaze back to the camera.
"The environment itself affects the DNA expression at every level, affecting not only cells, but tissues, organs, people and entire populations. We can't understand the DNA and its expression until we can understand its total environment.
"So here's the problem: we never completed a study of the Pandoran environment, nor did we do a Na'vi Genome Project. We extrapolated from the Human project, substituting genes where we thought appropriate. While the Na'vi have adapted to their environment, we have NO idea how Pandoran chemicals will interact with the human chemical software switches.
"The bodypaint made by the fiddlehead plant is psychotropic - causes hallucinations and euphoria or sometimes even death. I'd call that a chemical switch! The coloring chemicals in the Pandoran cheadle plant are great for Na'vi clothing and decorations. What will they do when absorbed by human DNA? Who knows?
"These were questions we could have answered if the old AVTR program was still intact. Now that Grace is dead....." His voice trails off and his shoulders slowly slump.
There is a knock at an unseen door and Max looks up quickly. "Yes?"
"Max, there are a couple of Na'vi here to see you. They say you're expecting them." The woman's voice holds a hint of welcome, as though she's ushering an old friend into his presence. "It's Norm....and....."
"Peyral," said Norm, walking into the lab and extending his hand.
As he stands up smiling, Max's right hand shoots toward Norm's, while his left reaches out and flips a switch on the camera.
LOG ENTRY: 1602
LOCATION: AVATAR LINK CHAMBER HELL'S GATE
RESEARCHER: MAX PATEL____ID# 083 AZU 204___LST: 14:12:13:02
P.I.: AUGUSTINE, G__________I D# 013 SGQ 023___DATE: 12/20/2154
Instant black.
He holds a sheaf of papers up in front of him, tapping at them with his right forefinger then glances back at the camera. "The problem is, these data are not only incomplete, they have no reference points."
Silence fills the lab. Max is no longer focused on the camera. He appears lost in thought. A minute goes by before he abruptly looks up and clears his throat.
"Yes. Well. I have four or five mated and pregnant Avatar - Na'vi couples arriving here today, looking for any answers I can give them. They look to me for reassurance, for knowledge, for comfort. And what can I tell them?
"Not at lot. Not nearly enough. And how are they going to understand this?
"We have human DNA sequencers and chip arrays which will inventory the 25,000 human genes on the DNA helix. So far, so good, but the DNA in a liver cell is the same as the DNA in a fingertip. What tells it to code only those proteins necessary to function as a liver cell? It's the chemical markers and switches which are coiled within the DNA strand. They act as software to the DNA's hardware. It's called epigenetics.
"So what activates this epigenetic software? Your total environment. A brief exposure to any chemical, say vitamin or toxin, can flip any of these switches and rewrite a person's biological software, changing a body or brain for life. Even a relationship with someone like a neglectful parent or a loving mate can cause a chemical cascade which will alter the biological system by flipping epigenetic switches on or off.
"We used to think DNA was the answer to everything. Now we know it's only part of the puzzle. It is well known that what a person eats or drinks or smokes today will affect the behavior and health of his children and grandchildren, on down the line. True science, proven again and again."
He looks to his left and gestures at a tall stack of medical reference books, neatly arranged next to an axial blood spin separator and a microscope. His brow furrows as he turns his gaze back to the camera.
"The environment itself affects the DNA expression at every level, affecting not only cells, but tissues, organs, people and entire populations. We can't understand the DNA and its expression until we can understand its total environment.
"So here's the problem: we never completed a study of the Pandoran environment, nor did we do a Na'vi Genome Project. We extrapolated from the Human project, substituting genes where we thought appropriate. While the Na'vi have adapted to their environment, we have NO idea how Pandoran chemicals will interact with the human chemical software switches.
"The bodypaint made by the fiddlehead plant is psychotropic - causes hallucinations and euphoria or sometimes even death. I'd call that a chemical switch! The coloring chemicals in the Pandoran cheadle plant are great for Na'vi clothing and decorations. What will they do when absorbed by human DNA? Who knows?
"These were questions we could have answered if the old AVTR program was still intact. Now that Grace is dead....." His voice trails off and his shoulders slowly slump.
There is a knock at an unseen door and Max looks up quickly. "Yes?"
"Max, there are a couple of Na'vi here to see you. They say you're expecting them." The woman's voice holds a hint of welcome, as though she's ushering an old friend into his presence. "It's Norm....and....."
"Peyral," said Norm, walking into the lab and extending his hand.
As he stands up smiling, Max's right hand shoots toward Norm's, while his left reaches out and flips a switch on the camera.
LOG ENTRY: 1602
LOCATION: AVATAR LINK CHAMBER HELL'S GATE
RESEARCHER: MAX PATEL____ID# 083 AZU 204___LST: 14:12:13:02
P.I.: AUGUSTINE, G__________I D# 013 SGQ 023___DATE: 12/20/2154
Instant black.