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My experiment is over, and would appear to be a resounding success. I never would have imagined that the results would be so significant, but I suppose such things must happen occasionally. It was a pleasant surprise, I must admit.
I found it remarkable to watch. Two hundred standard white laboratory rats bred from the most docile stock I or anyone else could find. Three generations after our selective breeding program commenced, we had cage after cage of white rats so gentle that their instinct to run had been softened almost out of existence and the rats could be handled almost from birth. As I say, it was extraordinary to work among creatures so tame. It was calming, knowing that each individual rat would not fight, would not bite, would not scratch, would not run…knowing that each individual rat had no fear of us at all. They did not fight among themselves either, which fascinated me. I have worked with animals for long enough to know that they will fight occasionally; establishing dominance or wanting slightly more space in the cage is perfectly normal behaviour for a healthy adult rat, but these ones seemed considerably less aggressive about such things. They exhibited the behaviour naturally enough, but on the whole simply went about doing things without bloodshed.
We did not hurt the rats – I would not design an experiment where my subjects suffered – but with the slight modification in genetic make up, the transformation was almost unbelievable. Slightly more corticosterone, and the previously tame rats went wild. Biting, clawing, scuffling…every aggressive behaviour we had believed to be extinct suddenly erupted as soon as the experimental group returned to their cages. As soon as an altered rat so much as set eyes on another of its species, the belligerence was clear. There was not enough corticosterone to lead to side effects – merely a slightly higher concentration, released at the normal rate and for the standard reasons – but even that trace was enough to create a far more aggressive and violent sub-group.
Humans have an equivalent hormone, of course. Cortisol, it’s called. I can only assume that, should the behaviours seen in my rats emerge among humanity, the unfortunate human would be a genuine danger. The equivalent behaviours are enough to send a man to jail, and indeed, the slight mutation would seem to be far more prevalent among the small population already there. My observations of prison behaviour and previous record were the spark for this study – having investigated further, it would appear that my instincts were correct.
I have found a strong genetic link to aggression, to violence, to cruelty and brutality of all kinds. It frightens me a little to know that I hold the key to such things, but perhaps I can do some good with my work. Perhaps the unfortunates who carry this genetic abnormality could be identified early and treated to overcome their great weakness. Perhaps, if we assisted them early enough, these people could be encouraged to turn away from their natural savagery and live productive lives among society. Perhaps we could eliminate violence and war and crime altogether. With adequate pre-emptive rehabilitation, perhaps they would simply disappear.
I would be deeply honoured to have my name and those of my associates connected to such a discovery. We have the cure to the greatest and most terrible affliction of man held safely in our hands. Surely there can be no more noble purpose than to use it.
Extract from a transcript of a meeting between Dr Anthony Edwin Gottman and senior government officials. This meeting was recorded by security personnel at the request of the Honchesa, Ms Caterina DiFranco
C. DiFranco: You’re suggesting, Dr. Gottman, that you can identify future criminals merely by the contents of their genes? Do I understand you correctly?
A. E. Gottman: Not exactly, Honchesa. As I explained earlier, I believe I have discovered a link between the genetic composition of an individual and their propensity to commit violent acts. A slightly higher concentration of cortisol is released by certain individuals, rendering them more vulnerable, more…predisposed if you will, to criminal activity. Cortisol is a hormone usually associated with stress, but it also contributes to aggression, violence and cruelty – generally considered antisocial or outright dangerous attributes. These people do not, on the whole, experience stressful situations any more frequently than anyone else…but when they do, they have a tendency to respond in a negative way, or often in a way that necessitates some time in prison.
Thomas Capp, Minister for Justice: So we have a way of identifying potential criminals…how do we ensure that we’re monitoring the correct people? If my department made a mistake, the press would be all over it. I’d rather not risk that. How do we make certain?
A. E. Gottman: The test itself is relatively simple. Medical science is already aware of how much cortisol is common in humans under pressure – a small blood sample and a basic analysis will show any abnormalities beyond doubt. Every cell in the human body carries a full genetic blueprint, and a mutation such as this can be found easily enough.
Cameron Cadakeos, Minister for Health: I beg your pardon? You’re suggesting…’mutant’ is a loaded word, Dr Gottman.
A. E. Gottman: My apologies. I meant only that the genetic makeup is slightly different among these people. It is a small thing really, only a minor abnormality, and in the purely scientific sense…perhaps I should have expressed that differently. Rest assured though, this mutation involves no wings, tails, or other extra body parts, no heightened senses, no incredible strength or speed, no power over fire or water, no telekinesis, no mind reading of any sort, no teleportation and no other superpowers of any kind at all. This is not a comic book, thank God, and the mutation is of the same mundane, boring kind that we encounter every day without knowing it.
C. Cadakeos: Yes, but…A. E. Gottman: There is nothing even the least bit extraordinary about them. They will be slender – very much so, as cortisol has a negative effect on muscle mass – but other than that, they will look exactly like everyone else.
C. DiFranco: Enough, understand your meaning, Dr Gottman. You will not be interrupted again. Please these tests feasible? If the government were to supply a service – as we would have to do – how much would it cost?
Paul Lucre, Treasurer: If it were compulsory and fully funded…we would have difficulty. If it were voluntary or subsidised or both, it would be very possible. I can organise a full analysis if necessary.
C. DiFranco: Please do.
T. Capp: I see. How do we handle young offenders, for lack of a better word? Children or teenagers who carry this gene? If they haven’t yet committed a crime or been involved in an investigation, I can’t ask the police force to intervene in anything. I’d be breaking our own laws to do it. Patton couldn’t call on the army either, I suppose.
A. E. Gottman: Surely there’s no need for anything like that?
Jay Patton, Minister for Defence: For children? Definitely not! We’d have a full mutiny on our hands by the end of the week, if that.
T. Capp: Well, we’ll have to do something. We already know what the outcome will be – they’re simply criminals waiting for a crime.
A. E. Gottman: I never said isn’t known how much influence genetics or environment would have on a child’s eventual character. With careful nurturing in the education system, and possibly medical treatment if it was required, a child would have a reasonable chance of fully integrating into mainstream society. It is much the same as any other kind of disability in that respect. Perhaps Mr Cadakeos…
Alexandra Bierce, Minister for Education: If one of these children caused…difficulties, we would have to expel them. We can’t knowingly allow dangerous situations in any educational setting.
A. E. Gottman: I can’t comment on that. I’ve haven’t yet met a child who appeared to have it. I have no doubt that they exist – abnormalities such as this do not commonly appear out of nowhere – but I’ve never knowingly encountered one.
C. DiFranco: We can only try. The public will decide, and we need to please them. We must keep the peace.
I am not made for a life in government. The meeting today showed me that – I hardly knew what to say to them. The Honchesa, the Treasurer, the Ministers for Justice, Health, Education…all seated around a table, wanting professional guidance from me. Me! It hardly bears thinking about.
I know that my work cannot be used without government support. The experiment only began with the aid of a research grant, and everything I have discovered requires official support. Without it, my report can only sit on a shelf and be of no help or use to anyone. Knowing what I know, knowing how much good could come of it, I cannot in all conscience allow that.
I have kept one of the rats. He lives in a large cage above my desk – an adult male that I have named Richard. He was an extraordinarily intelligent creature before I adjusted him, and even now he seems lively enough. He is aggressive, of course – I seldom touch him without gloves – but otherwise healthy and strong. I study him, and compare him to a theoretical human. Richard makes a rather good human, I must say.
A human could not be altered in the same way I altered Richard, or to reverse the condition. It would not be ethical to change the construct of a human being, nor would it be as simple. I could not do it and I would not do it even if it could be done. Unfortunately, it seems that medication cannot help them – any medication we currently possess would lower their cortisol levels too far; we would have hundreds, thousands of people suffering from Addison’s disease where we had intended to have balanced individuals. I cannot accept that. It would not be right to do so. I cannot willingly tolerate suffering, least of all if it becomes my fault.
Something must be done to help these people, to prevent the blight that they would bring to society. They must be nurtured, treated in a way that science is not yet capable of. We must save these people; they are unknowingly vicious, trapped in a cycle of which they know nothing…but they are people nevertheless. We have no choice but to protect them from themselves.
The citizens of a country must do what they can to serve their state. The state must do all it can to serve its citizens. Perhaps, with care, these people can be productive citizens…and I can only hope that our state protects them as it should. In any case…it’s out of my hands now.
From: Paul Lucre
To: Caterina DiFranco, Thomas Capp, Alexandra Bierce, Cameron Cadakeos, Jay Patton
RE: Gottman Analysis
STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL
Suggest 15 subsidy on voluntary testing. Members of professions under police check entry conditions – teaching staff, healthcare staff, police and military personnel – undergo mandatory tests. Immediate family members should also be tested following a positive result.
P. Lucre
Copy of an announcement sent to all current defence force personnel – Army, Air Force and Navy, as well as all support staff.
All defence force personnel not currently on active service are required to report to base for a routine physical examination and substance test on the 5th of November.
All personnel who fail this assessment or do not comply will be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including discharge from the forces. All issued weapons, combat, dress and barracks uniform or other equipment will be requisitioned from discharged individuals. Discharged officers will be permitted to retain their insignia and rank, however those who do not comply will receive a dishonourable discharge and be stripped of all previous rank and entitlements.
Personnel on peacekeeping missions, training exercises or other operations will be subject to examination on their return.
1 GLOCK 17 9mm pistol with separate ammunition, standard issue
1 M4 assault rifle with separate ammunition, Special Forces issue
1 F&S Commando knife with sheath and strap, Special Forces issue
1 Telescopic sight for an AW sniper rifle
1 PPR radio headset, with a range of 200 metres
1 set of PNG night vision goggles
Full combat fatigues, without rank or unit insignia of any kind as per Special Forces precedent
1 set of Kevlar body armour, reinforced
1 standard issue infantry pack with webbing
1 steel helmet with canvas camouflage and chin strap
Full barracks fatigues, without rank or insignia of any kind
Full dress uniform, apparently never worn
Medical staff also tested Trooper Ellis’ young son (aged two) after obtaining the initial result. The boy was also found to possess a high cortisol reading. A blood sample given by the wife of Trooper Ellis returned as normal. Due to the nature of and reason for his discharge, neither Trooper Ellis nor his family were entitled to make any claim on the various financial supports or benefits reserved for past service in any branch of the armed forces.
