Reader’s Choice selection from DMC’s flash fiction group, Friday Frights.
by Jeffrey Hollar:
It’s too late to apologize. I feel no remorse for what I have done, though, so the sentiment would be specious. I am a man of vision, of science, of discovery and application. I have never allowed the social and ethical implications of my work to constrain me. I am not a philosopher or a sophist and so these concerns are of little import to me.
Were there unfortunate and unforeseen consequences to our research? The consensus of opinion would seem to indicate so. As blasé as my demeanor may seem, I will concede that I do understand how others might reach that conclusion. It does not matter, at this juncture, whether or not I agree with their views. The past remains immutable, inviolate and permanent. The future remains pristine, unpredictable and inexcusably perfidious. Such has always been the way of things and, likely, thus shall it always be.
When the politicos, at length, saw fit to seek of science and technology the means to avert mankind’s impending doom, we answered their call. The finest minds of our age all drew together and applied our considerable intellect to the problems at hand. We did not assign blame. Scientific endeavors are intended to be conducted in a cold, analytical and antiseptic manner.
It became immediately understood that our home world, as it existed, was no longer viable. Industrialization, mass production and unrestrained greed had ensured that the environment could not and would not any longer sustain life in its current form. The planet could no longer be bent to our will but would, instead, call the tune to which we must dance.
Even now there are those ignorant and intransigent fools who feel we should have pursued other options. They talk of mass evacuations to the emptiness of space, colonization of far-flung and unreachable stars. To those hapless souls I say such was never considered. Our accomplishments, while not inconsiderable in every field of scientific endeavor, were not sufficient to the day. In simplest terms, it could not have been done.
Genetic manipulation, controlled mutation and significant bioengineering were the only reasonable choices. If we could not leave our world, then we must needs change ourselves to its demands.
In colloquial parlance, an omelet can’t be made without breaking eggs. Such was the case with our efforts as well. Could we have achieved the stable form we now enjoy had not nearly a billion souls perished in the name of development and testing? No, we could not. Could we have maintained a predictable population without foregoing our ability to procreate? We could not. To all of the hypothetical queries posed by an ungrateful world to its saviors, the answers remain the same. Could we, should we have done differently? I believe my conclusions regarding these matters are abundantly clear.
I will not EVER apologize for the measures necessary to save our world from otherwise certain oblivion. That is all I have or ever will have to say on this matter.
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