David was sitting on his bed in the graduate school dormitory contemplating quitting the prestigious genetics program he had been in for the past year. Fascinating as it was, ethical questions ate away at him and his confidence had been shattered by the competitive nature of some of the professors and the brilliance of his classmates. How did I even get in this program, he wondered?
As he held his head in his hands, he felt something flicking the back of his neck. Worried that they were mosquitos, he began swatting at them.
"Stop it!" the small creatures yipped.
Startled, David looked up and saw two small flying BioBeaNs.
"Oh, I've finally cracked," David sighed.
"No, David. Don't be startled. We're BioBeaNs and we're from a different dimension. Just call me Phil and this here is Lil' Phil," Phil said as an introduction.
"Why are you here?" David asked.
"We don't think you should quit. The world is coming apart between our two dimensions and the energy web has frayed. We BioBeaNs need to work with humans to save our planet."
"Well there's so many people smarter than me and definitely more sure of themselves than I am, so you're better off asking any of them to help you."
" No David. Your classmates have a lot to offer and can definitely help too, but you David, you are meant to lead," Phil declared.
"What are you talking about? I'm the most unsure one of my group. I'm torn apart by whether the genetic engineering we're attempting is right. Sometimes I feel like splicing out and splicing in genes is playing with the master plan, if there even is a master plan. See, I have no knowledge of truth and my conviction sways. I have questions but no answers," Phil acknowledged.
"This is why we need you David. We BioBeaNs have a lot of knowledge but we don't have imagination or much of a questioning ability, " Phil responded.
"I guess you can say we see the trees, but not the forest," Lil' Phil added.
"You David, you see everything. When we were looking at your class, most are thinking just of themselves or their research project, but you David, you are looking at everything and trying to see how it will affect the whole world. You raise questions that need to be heard. Stay in the program, learn more and share your confusion. It's important!" Phil BeaN pleaded.
David stopped for a moment, in that very moment. For the first time it was clear to him...EVERYONE is important. His contribution was just as valid as the #1 spot candidate Sarah Burton. He would continue to pursue his education. He knew he had an affinity to the subject and he remembered, how even in high school when students complained it was too complicated, he loved that. It made it even more miraculous in his eyes. Just the idea that mutations, linkages and all the complicated mechanisms for replication, transcription and translation even existed at all, showed him how amazing life is. He needed to tear this apart, understand it, and present it to the world.
The BioBeaNs were happy they convinced David to continue. They left David energized and ready to contribute ethical evaluation to the study and implementation of genetic research.
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