The Clique by Jay Mason

Author:Jay Mason [Mason, Jay]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-3-7325-3598-9
Publisher: Bastei Entertainment
Published: 2018-04-27T16:00:00+00:00

The quiche didn’t taste burnt, but it did taste strange. It wasn’t so much unpleasant as simply not right. The sugary-lime dressing on the accompanying salad made Alex deeply fearful of what was to come next.

Dr Straker had swapped his bottle of beer, barely touched, for a glass of white wine. Irene kept trying to top it up and the doctor appeared to have no objection. Lewis kept himself and Rusty supplied with bottles of beer. Alex stuck to water.

“Most interesting,” said Dr. Straker as he neatly laid his knife and fork down on the plate.

“Thank you,” said Irene.

“Not sure that was a compliment, darling,” said Lewis, winking at Rusty. “Still I’m sure Dr. Straker is used to experiments.”

“Alex could see her mother reddening. She took a deep breath. “I’ve never been sure what the Center actually does, Dr. Straker. My parents don’t speak about their work. I’m sure I wouldn’t understand anyway,” she gave a little laugh, which sounded ghastly even to her. “And I know a lot of it is probably secret, but what can you tell us about what you do in a general sort of way?”

“Alex, Dr. Straker is here to relax and have a nice family dinner,” said Irene.

“No, it’s fine Irene,” said Dr. Straker. “I enjoy explaining what we do and it is always good when the young people show an interest. Simply put, Alex, we are attempting to push forward the boundaries of sciences in chemistry, biology and the medical sciences. We want to create a better world. One free of disease. In particular we tackle genetic diseases. We want to rid the world’s population of inheritable problems like MS, some cancers, fibromalygia — all those disorders that have a genetic component. If we can change the genes either in vitro or in young adults then we will be able to save future generations from such damaging conditions.”

“That’s sounds like a very laudable ambition,” said Alex sincerely.

Dr. Straker smiled. “Thank you. It is my life’s work. If only everyone was as easy as you to convince of our vital existence.”

“Money,” said Alex’s dad. “Takes a huge amount of money to do research.”

Dr. Straker nodded. “A lot of my work is convincing industries to back us and of course reassuring people.”

“What do you mean reassuring people?” asked Rusty sharply.

“You know how it is, Rusty. People are always scared of the unknown. They fear we are delving into things man was not meant to know!” He said the last few words in a mock scared accent. Irene laughed. “Honestly,” she said, “some people would have objected to Marie Curie’s work or penicillin!”

Dr. Straker smiled. “Sometimes it is only the brilliant minds like yours and Lewis that see clearly what needs to be done. I mean if we could transport a man from the middle ages into the modern era he’d think we were all wizards! So many things you young people take for granted like the Internet, for example, must seem unbelievable to your own grandparents.

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