The Race between the Tortoise and the Hare

Mark was cautious about the hope of technology solving the world’s problems. Thus far, hopes of technology saving the planet had resulted in a far more complicated dilemma.

The year was 2050. Dreams of ecologists wanting industries to become more environmentally responsible had become a forced reality. To a great extent, the choice was easy, there was no choice. Ignoring the warnings of human impact on climate change had led to air pollution that had decreased the viability of pollen and led to an increase in viral infections affecting bee and bat pollinators. The effects of accumulation of low-level toxins, had altered hormones and increased cancers and infertility, decreasing productivity of crops needed for natural medical and food supplies and endangering many species.

Similarly, reproductive issues in humans had started to cause a reduction in the population. Some thought that this was a good thing, given the global numbers exceeded the carrying capacity of the Earth. But the reality was that the majority of the population was aging, and demographic predictions suggested there would be a critical population decline. Large corporations and consumers were obligated to take ownership of their actions.

Mark had reached out to lay people and professionals using social media, presenting opportunities for individuals to gain knowledgeable, cooperate and become involved in restructuring cities and towns to ensure access to food, water, energy and reproduction. He felt committed to present solutions that might avoid the world turning into one of the horror shows that futuristic movies of the 2020’s had imagined possible.

Mark successfully challenged laws favoring Cloning. His speeches had awakened many individuals from their complacent slumber. The warnings had been uttered before, but when Mark spoke, the words were heard. Saying, "Mental health issues are on the rise. The increase in vagus nerve and blue screen addictions are part of the problem. Reality directs behaviour in far more bizarre fashion than imagination can conjure. We must guard against self-imposed eugenics," Mark was able to illuminate the path mankind often blindly followed.

Growing research and data collection into biological sustainability had created two factions. Those favouring using wearable and internal bionic implants linked to Artificial Intelligence, and the recently unified faction called the Moderates, that had melded science with spiritualism, and agreed to use nanotechnology but refused Artificial Intelligence implants saying it would lead to a loss of humanity.

Mark detested all-or none ultimatums. He accepted that he had a spiritual bend. He believed in the brain’s capacity to resurrect the indigenous nature of mankind’s soul, directed by a greater power, beyond the comprehension of man. He had joined the Moderates because he had many reasons to believe life was not just a matter of random chance.

Becoming a parent had spurred him to action. He recalled when he and his partner had first seen through the dense grey fog that encircled the planet and clouded the minds of the people. Without any source of perspective, the shadows of individual and group thoughts were indistinguishable. Then they witnessed a fleeting flash of light. The STAR, Single Embryo TrAnsfeR of an embryo, had emitted the light of a shooting star at implantation. As the heavens had predicted since Egyptian times, the shooting star had delivered the iron core of a new life on Earth and with it, hope for a better future. By the grace of whatever greater powers that be, their child was a wonder.

Mark used his child used for research. Mark was in charge of a team who used quantum computing and big data analysis to assess the predictive qualities of neurological and biochemical correlations. They calculated maternal mitochondrial RNA (mRNA) variability in blood collected every ten seconds within a 60 second period each four hours within the first 48 hours after birth. He established complex algorithms to measure the rapid changes. Facial expressions of a newborn, change several times within a minute, making them appear to be hours old, a 70-year-old, a child and a reptile. The changes were correlated to activation of various non-protein coding parts of the junk DNA and changing maternal mitochondrial RNA.

At first the procedure had stirred much controversy. Individuals were concerned that the prick to draw blood was causing stress that could affect the long-term development and mental health of the child. Several volunteer groups were content to accept the blood tests were necessary and the risk not important. They agreed to be monitored in hopes of improving the abilities of their child. Mark had tried to explain the real dangers, but his warning fell on deaf ears. The movement had taken hold.

Voluntary monitoring of blood tests during the early days of life produced dramatic results. Previous controversies about the importance of Nature and nurture were shattered and replaced by the correlation between mind, heart and gut directed by microbiomes. Genetic and epigenetic testing revealed that gut biome changes with differences due to culture, race and diet always gave rise to ubiquitous proteins, found in each cell, and shared throughout all species in the early developmental stages. The newborn assembled the pieces of the past into a cohesive whole.

The infant was shown to be a unique manifestation of alien epigenes combined with genes and a testament to a connection to the Source of life on Earth that was seeded by the stars. There were strong suggestions that each individual, at the newborn stage, has the ability to assemble genetic conditions from all that went before. Evidence suggested that each child actually chose contributions from the parents.

These data supported a new definition of reincarnation that was more than an ideology. The newborn was seen as a time traveler, linked to the ancestral past that united all of life. The emotional or mental debt of the Grateful Dead was paid, and the reward was the gift of life and embracing living to the fullest.

Mark delivered information and was subsequently offered the position of ' Speaker for the People's Dream' for the Moderates Party. Moderates were willing to use nanotechnology to improve genetic and epigenetic effects on physical and mental well-being. Augmentation protocols could turn on and off genes and epigenes, causing a spontaneous, rapid, unprecedented, radical evolutionary shift into a new species.

The evidence had created a furor. It elicited a euphoria as powerful as any induced by a drug.

The breast-fed infant was shown to hold memories, beyond what is explainable by traditional genetics. The current hypothesis was that microplastics had entered into the bloodstream and with the effect of epigenetics, mimicked temporal lobe receptors, releasing genetic memories that resurrected aspects of the ancestral past.

Now Mark had to address the drive to use nanotechnology to mimic the golden liquid colostrum. The sacred elixir, shown to reduce the effects of pollutants and prevent allergies and sickness was thought to hold the fire of passions of the dead.

Mark was cautious about intentionally altering medical, psychological and physical attributes in hopes that they could lead to enhancements. Mark knew the risk of playing with the complex machinery of the human body. A slight change in chemistry had altered the beneficial attributes of Thalidomide to reduce nausea and instead had caused genetic anomalies. The list of such examples was long.

Drag and drop genetic engineering, stem cell therapy and targeted treatment for medical dysfunctions held merit, but Mark knew mankind is a victim of hubris. Excessive self-confidence in finding a solution needed to be met with caution. Now the shell of life on Earth had been embedded with plastic and molded into semi solid matter that was able to harness an ancient energy and memories.

Yet Mankind was still wanting more. Mankind is easily addicted to change for the sake of change. They often ignore the messages of the past. They become arrogant and try to bend rules and take short cuts.

Now the problem Mark faced was to remind humanity of fables. There were extraordinary pressures in this new race between the slow and steady Tortoise and the spasmodic Hare. The stories of Icarus, who had the gifts of knowledge of his father Daedalus , yet flew too closely to the sun, clearly demonstrated that efforts made with good intentions could melt away.

Mark took a deep breath. His task was simply to be an influencer. Teach the teachers. It was 2050. As Speaker of the People, he would use communication available to present data, whisper caution from the past, and illuminate various avenues that would help humanity choose how to move forward.