Frederick - Double Helix, Downward Gyre

by Carl Frederick

* * * *

On a historic scale, everything changes, and new kinds of knowledge accelerate the process.The hard part is deciding whenand howto react.

It seems to get worse every day. Herrick pointed a butter knife toward his son. I wouldnt be surprised if, before long, the only fundable science left was Creation Science.

Oh, its not that bad, Dad. Niels hoped he could head off another angry rant; it was not good for his fathers blood pressure. I expect Congress

Congress! Herrick gave a harsh laugh. As a whole, theyre as dumb as a Kansas school board.

Niels made shushing motions. Not so loud, he said in a voice a little above a whisper. Its not safe talking like that these days.

Herrick glanced around the restaurant. Were safe here, I imagine. Technically, this is New Zealand territory. He returned his gaze to Niels. I think it is, anyway.

They sat at a table at Maorisa trendy Pacific Rim cuisine restaurant attached to the New Zealand mission to the United Nations.

Mission restaurants for the poorer countries were a source of revenue, but for wealthier countries, those with a declining birth rate, they acted as a lure to recruit immigrants. Herrick and Niels, for their weekly father/son dinners, had eaten their way through many of them. But then, acting on a recommendation, they tried Maoris. They liked the food, had no feelings of ill will toward New Zealand, and so settled on Maoris for their weekly culinary excursion.

Herrick grimaced. This cant go on, he said, pushing away his half-eaten dessert, a chocolate-topped Pavlova. Soon itll be impossible to do any scientific research at all in this country.

Worried by the grimace, Niels watched as his father surreptitiously moved a hand over his stomach.

And it doesnt help, Herrick went on, that our government seems to mark top secret every scrap of paper down to and including toilet paper.

Indigestion again? Niels tried to keep the worry out of his voice.

Herrick shrugged, then gave a smile, clearly labored. And theres no money for physics anymore. He pointed, this time with his forefinger. Its good youre in medical research; aging politicians need you.

Niels knew his father was trying to move the topic away from his indigestion, and Niels, for the moment, would let him. Actually, they dont seem to need me. Niels said. In fact, Ive been denied tenure. He looked down at his hands. Great way to end the academic year, he added under his breath.

What? Herrick sat back from the table as if struck. No! I cant believe my alma mater would act that way. Not Yale.

Niels forced a smile. Some wealthy alum objected to my Evolutionary Biology course.

What are you going to do?

Nothing. Niels stirred his coffee, even though he drank it black. As long as I dont make a stink about it, the university will simply ignore the situation. For the sake of his father, he tried to downplay the insult.

My teaching and research wont be affected. I just wont be tenured. No big deal.

Niels saw his father bite down and, almost as if in reflex, move his hand toward his stomach and then abruptly change direction and pick up his teacup.

Look, Dad. Niels leaned forward. Youve got to get that looked at.

What?

That indigestion.

Its nothing. Herrick chuckled. Probably just the result of a few too many hot chili lunches at Taco Diplomacy.

You cant just keep laughing it off. What are you afraid of?

Im all right, said Herrick, his voice raised.

Niels silently glowered at him.

All right. All right, said Herrick, wilting under the stare. I am a little worried about it. Hypochondriac that I am, Im afraid it might be a serious disease.

So what? Most everything can be treated these days. Niels stared into his fathers eyes. That is, if one doesnt wait too long.

Herrick bent his head as if critically examining his dessert. Im worried that the disease might have a genetic component.

Ah. Niels sat back in his chair. So thats it. He smiled as he speculated on a reason his father was, at his age, so set against sterilization. Dad. Are you, by chance... Niels felt embarrassed asking his father this. Are you engaged in some, um, intimate behavior?

You mean, am I having sex these days? No ... unfortunately. Not that its any business of yours.

Niels, glancing at the other diners, made shushing motions with his hands.

Herrick smiled, obviously enjoying his sons discomfort. But the smile was fleeting. A Genetic Component Disease automatically triggers the Genetic Patriotism Actdoubly automatically now that all medical reports are sent to the Department of Health.

So it might be a GCD, said Niels. Youre a little old to have more kidsso what, other than aesthetics, is your objection to sterilization?

Herrick shook his head sadly. When I was a teenager, he said, speaking more to the table than to his son, I was afraid of dying from some terrible disease. But now... He took off his glasses and rubbed his eyes. Almost no one dies of disease or congenital conditions. He let out a breath. Maybe the governments right. Maybe the fact that we can cure most things has counteracted the survival of the fittest.

You dont really believe that, said Niels. Forced sterilization for the sake of the gene pool.

No Herrick cleaned his glasses with an edge of the tablecloth, an action Niels recognized as a sign of stress. and I certainly dont like the government considering me ungodly just because I happen not to have been created in Gods genetic image.

Niels slapped a hand gently to the table. Tomorrow, Ill pick you up at noon. Youve got to have a complete physical. Weve got to know if its a GCD.

No. Herrick shook his head.

Why?

You do know that the Genetic Patriotism Act has been renewed?

So?

They slipped in a provision that children of a GCD victim must be tested for the defective genes. If theyre found, the children must be sterilized as well.

What? I didnt know anything about that.

Its a classified provision. It cant be mentioned by the media.

The bastards! Niels balled a fist. Well, Im prepared for them. He tried for a confident smile. Youll get your exam. I know a good back room diagnostician.

A what, please?

Someone who can do the tests and wont forward the results to the government.

Ive heard stories, said Herrick, of medical blundering and even blackmail.

This guys reliable. Ill pick you up at noon. Niels motioned for the check. Oh, and bring Fleabiscuit.

What? What does my dog have to do with this?

The diagnosticians a veterinarian.

Herrick cast a glance to the ceiling. Oh, great! Its good Im not a horse. At least he wont shoot me.

Dont worry, said Niels. The guy has a good lab. Well use the cover that Fleabiscuit needs a check-up before our family holiday in Niels glanced around at the restaurants dcor. in New Zealand. He gave a thin smile. The way things are going in America right now, Im just about tempted to emigrate.

You and me both, said Herrick.

* * * *

Early next morning, Niels made the appointment for his fathers exam. Then, as soon as his bank opened, Niels withdrew some cash, much more than he would have been allowed at the ATM; the exam was a cash transaction. As he stuffed the bills into his wallet, he felt he was entering uncharted waters, tawdry and dangerous. He thought about his fathers plight and decided it might do to have some insurance. Pulling out his cell phone, he did an Internet search for another kind of bankand foreign-owned, protected from the prying nose of the government.

He found a local office of the Zrcher Stern Samenzellenbank, phoned, and made an appointment. He had just enough time before having to pick up his father.