Monsters of new Earth

Evolution

Twenty four hours earlier, Dr. Emily Turner had spoken at the International Conference On Science Technology And Management. Which was an annual scientific convention, organized by the International Academic of Science Technology Engineering and Management (IASTEM) in France.

In the grand auditorium, bathed in the sterile glow of fluorescent lights, Dr. Emily Turner stepped up to the podium. The hum of anticipatory chatter among the attendees gradually hushed as all eyes turned toward the eminent researcher. The stage was set for a discourse that promised to transcend the boundaries of conventional scientific thought.

Dr. Emily who was a distinguished figure in the field of evolutionary biology, began by acknowledging the intellectual curiosity that brought the diverse audience together. Her voice, measured and resonant, echoed through the hall, carrying a weight that demanded attention.

Emily began, "As we stand on the precipice of an ever-changing future, we must confront the undeniable reality of evolution," she proclaimed, her eyes scanning the sea of faces before her. The air was charged with an intellectual electricity as the audience leaned forward, eager to grasp the implications of what lay ahead.

"Evolutionary forces have sculpted the world in ways both subtle and profound, shaping the diverse forms of life we see today". 

The giant screen flicked to life as she spoke. The video of a chameleon slowly changing its color, was playing on the screen.

"Adaptations in Camouflage", Emily announced. "The chameleon's ability to change color for camouflage is a striking example of adaptation driven by evolutionary forces. Over time, those individuals with a genetic predisposition for effective camouflage were more likely to survive and pass on their genes, leading to the development of this remarkable trait."

The video on the screen had now changed to show the viceroy butterfly.

Emily pointed to the screen, "The Viceroy butterfly's resemblance to the toxic Monarch butterfly is a result of evolutionary pressures. Predators learn to associate the bright colors of the Monarch with toxicity, and over generations, the Viceroy has evolved to mimic these colors, gaining protection against predation."

Dr. Emily Turner continued her presentation in this pattern, giving examples as she spoke on the intricate dance of adaptation, the survival strategies that dictated the course of life on Earth. Her words wove a narrative of the relentless pursuit of survival, a tale as old as life itself.

"Evolution is not a distant concept confined to the annals of natural history," Dr. Emily had decleared that morning, her gestures emphasizing the immediacy of her message. "It is a dynamic force, an ever-present orchestrator of change that molds the destiny of species."

The audience, enthralled by the eloquence of the speaker, hung on every word as she transitioned seamlessly into the heart of her discourse—the role of mankind in this grand evolutionary saga.

"We, as a species, are not exempt from the forces that have shaped the myriad forms of life on this planet," Dr. Emily continued, her gaze piercing through the auditorium. "Our challenge lies not in escaping the grasp of evolution but in understanding it, embracing it, and steering its course to secure our future."

An image of children suffering from chicken pox now illuminated the screen. The image now began to fade while another materialized. Images of people suffering from the Black Death, Spanish flu, HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis was now been displayed. She looked at the her audience, the faces of the people in the room had now become pale.

"With the tools of genetic engineering, we possess the ability to sculpt our own biological destiny," she proclaimed, her words resonating with a conviction that echoed in the hearts of those gathered. The audience, now fully captivated, listened intently as Dr. Emily delved into the promise and perils of manipulating the very building blocks of life.

The images dissipated, and the tension which had hung in the atmosphere began to give away, amid relieved sighs from the members of the audience.

As she articulated the potential applications of genetic engineering—from disease resistance to cognitive enhancement—the auditorium became a crucible of contemplation. The room buzzed with a collective realization that the power to shape our evolutionary path lay within their grasp.

The narrative shifted seamlessly to real-world examples, illustrating the strides made in genetic research. Dr. Emily recounted tales of breakthroughs, of scientists unlocking the secrets encoded in the double helix. The double helix is a masterful data storage system just like a computer hard dtive, where all the information about a person is stored.

The double helix was now being displayed on the screen. "With great power comes great responsibility," Dr. Emily had cautioned, introducing a moral dimension to the scientific narrative. 

Emily tapped on the small controller in front of her and the image on the screen now showed images of babies with different shades of iris, hairs and skin colors. She mopped her face with an handkerchief and continued, "PGD is a procedure that is typically used to screen for genetic diseases. However, it can also be used to select embryos with certain eye colors, hair colors, or other desired physical traits. There are many different ways that parents could create a designer baby. For example, they could use genetic screening to select embryos with desirable traits or alter their child’s genes after birth."

"Some people believe that designer babies are morally wrong because they involve manipulating the genes of a human embryo. Others argue that designer babies could have positive implications, such as reducing the likelihood of genetic diseases."

"What do you believe?", she asked. The question hung in the air, and silent chatters began to rise amongst the scientists seated in the auditorium. 

"If we must evolve as a species, then we must do it with caution."

Dr. Emily continued, "The alleged use of biological agents is a serious problem and the risk of using these agents in a bioterrorist attack is increasing", she continued. "History dictates that bio-warfare goes back in time from the 14th century medieval siege of Kaffa by the Tatars who tossed dead or dying plague victims into the city and later when British troops provided blankets and linens used by smallpox victims to native Indians."

"In the final crescendo of his discourse, Dr. Emily issued a call to action. "The time to prepare for our evolutionary journey is now," she declared, her words echoing like a clarion call. "Through knowledge, responsibility, and a collective vision for the future, we can navigate the currents of change and emerge as architects of our own evolution."

As Dr. Emily concluded her speech, the audience rose in a thunderous ovation. The grand auditorium, once a quiet space of intellectual contemplation, now pulsated with the energy of a community awakened to the possibilities that lay on the horizon. She had not only shared a vision of evolution but had ignited a spark of inspiration that would reverberate through the scientific community for generations to come. 

A thousand miles away in another city, someone else had been watching this presentation. The mysterious man's lips had parted in a simple prayer.

"Forgive them lord, for they know not what they are doing"