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The next day Brian went to the library. He brought a book and article about immortality to a table and sat down. He perused the material for awhile and thought about what he read. Then he began to write in his journal. Brian wrote the following:
Here is the key that will not only enable humans to live forever, but to free the world. By unlocking nature’s secret to aging and death, I’ll be able to create immortal human beings. Moreover, as people move closer to becoming immortal, they will reject all scoundrels who live by draining everyone and society. Conscious life on earth will flourish as it is meant to. No one will be able to rise and control the producers and entrepreneurs. Everyone will be free to produce and keep the fruits of their labor. Guilt and property-rights violations will vanish. I’ve got to think more about immortality. A lot is riding on this...
Brian lifted his head up from his journal. He thought for a few minutes and then wrote:
Immortality is the crucial link to everyone’s future. But what is immortality? More specifically, what is the root cause of death? By answering these questions, I will have in hand the vital link to the future.
Now I know that overriding nature to live forever requires that human beings eliminate all causes of death -- especially heart disease and cancer. Immortality also requires that human beings eliminate the root cause of aging and death. That root cause allows entropy to overtake living cells, which manifests the grotesque effects of aging: poor eyesight, gray hair, wrinkled skin, frail bones, and mental impairment.
What is that root cause? What is nature's device that triggers aging and death?
We know that all living organisms die at some point during their life. Plants and animals grow to maturity, age, decline, and then die. Short-lived animals such as dogs (13 years) and long-lived plants such as the Bristlecone Pine (3000+ years) inevitably succumb to aging and death. In fact, all plants and animals except man have no choice over the matter. All are ruled by preset nature and cannot escape nature’s plan. However, man can and will bypass the slow-moving forces of nature.
Conscious man can use his mind -- he can reason -- to understand and override nature. Francis Bacon said, "Nature, to be commanded, must be obeyed." Today, man is learning nature’s program for aging and death. With that understanding, man will be able to command nature. He will be able to permanently alter nature’s preset course, enabling conscious beings to live forever.
Research reveals that cells divide a set amount of times and then go into a state of senescence. That is, human cells divide about forty times during their active state. At this point, the cells no longer divide, but remain metabolically active. Some of these cells experience apoptosis -- also known as programmed cell death -- whereby they commit suicide. This occurs to preserve the integrity of the living organism.
The decreased activity and death of these cells probably translates into the physical effects of aging: organ failure, deterioration of body tissue, etc. As more and more cells perish, the organism cannot sustain life. Hence, it dies.
Researchers have discovered that certain genes tell cells to stop dividing and go into senescence. However, when those genes are mutated, the cells continue to divide indefinitely. From this knowledge could arise a cure for aging and death. For instance, a pill could be formulated to mutate specific genes so the organism’s cells never go into senescence. That could effectively leave the organism immortal. Furthermore, aging that already occurred could be reversed via biomedicine such as human growth hormone (HGH).
An anti-aging pill -- an Immortality Pill -- could contain a chemical that transmutes specific genes to effectively make the organism immortal. It could also contain precise amounts of HGH or similar hormones to reverse aging that already occurred.
Brian dropped his pen on the table and closed his journal. He collapsed on the table, his head landing on his arms. He could not believe he just uncovered the secret of immortality—and the key to freeing the world. He sat at the table with his head down. He did not move for several minutes.
____________________
Brian called Kimberly Young, the law professor at Occidental University. He told her about his new discovery and asked her if she knew anyone who could help him. Kimberly recommended Dr. Richard Masters, a brilliant medical doctor who teaches anti-aging medicine at Occidental University. Brian thanked Kimberly for the advice and called Dr. Masters immediately.
The next week, Brian went to Occidental University to meet with Dr. Richard Masters.
"Mr. Storm! Glad to meet you. Kimberly Young has been praising your new breakthrough on human longevity. Please, come in an sit down." Dr. Masters said congenially.
"Thank you sir…" Brian began to say.
"Please call me Richard."
"OK. Please call me Brian."
"Now tell me Brian, what do you know about immortality and how do you know it?" Dr. Masters asked.
"Well, you see, I…" Brian started to say.
"Oh, I’m sorry for rushing into all this. It’s just that what you’re doing excites me so much." Richard Masters said.
"Don’t worry about it. I’m also excited." Brian replied.
"Look, first tell me about your background. Where do you come from and what have you studied?" Richard Masters asked.
"I’m originally from New Jersey. But since becoming an adult, I’ve lived all over the world. I’ve got a degree in bioscience from Camber University, and I’ve done a lot of research in the area of physiological immortality." Brian said.
"I see."
"Yes, and I have the cure for aging and death written in my journal. I’d like to show it to you for your review." Brian said.
"Hold on there young man. First let me tell you about myself. I think it’s important that you know whom you’re divulging information to. I was born in Switzerland and moved to America when I was twelve. I served four years in the army healing wounded soldiers. Then I earned my masters degree in biology and later my doctorate degree in medicine at Occidental University. I practice medicine at Seventh Hospital and teach at this university part-time." Richard Masters said.
"Wow: you certainly have an appropriate background for what I’m about to ask you. Would you like to review my immortality breakthrough?" asked Brian.
"Definitely."
Brian handed Richard Masters his journal, which was opened to the appropriate page. Dr. Masters quickly skimmed it. This concerned Brian.
"Hmm." Richard Masters said as he finished reviewing Brian’s journal entry.
Dr. Masters closed the journal and handed it back to Brian.
"Well? What do you think about what you just read?" Brian asked with anticipation.
"I don’t know young man. I mean, things are much more complicated than this. There is not one ‘root cause’ of aging and death; there are many causes." Richard Masters said.
Brian listened intently.
"And another thing: humans can’t live forever. No one has ever confirmed this. I don’t know where you got your information from, but this idea of immortality is mere fantasy." Dr. Richard Masters asserted.
Brian sat in his chair analyzing Dr. Richard Masters. Brian thought about what Richard Masters just said and what most other people think about immortality. Dr. Masters thinks like everyone else. He, like most others, believes that physical immortality is impossible.
Brian said to Richard Masters, "If something never happened before, does it mean that it’s impossible for it to happen in the future?"
"I don’t understand what you mean." Richard Masters replied.
"Let me give you an example. If 100 years ago nobody ever used computers, does it mean that it would be impossible for computers to be invented and spread around the world?" Brian said.
"Obviously not." Richard Masters said.
"Okay. If today nobody lives 150 years or 500 years or forever, does it mean that it would be impossible for people to live for centuries or millennia?" Brian asked.
"Ah, but people are different than computers!" Richard Masters stated.
"You’re right. But the principle is the same. With advancing knowledge, man could radically alter his condition in life." Brian asserted.
"There’s a limit to human achievement. And frankly, I believe immortality is beyond man’s capacity. That is the realm of God!" Dr. Richard Masters said.
Brian thought to himself, "Damn it! Even the brightest minds are corrupted with the mystical God concept. He’s bought into that 5,000 year-old hoax."
Dr. Richard Masters continued, "Yes, what you’re dealing with here son is the province of God! If I were you I would avoid this area entirely. Maybe you can add a few years to human life expectancy. But to try to make man immortal is dangerous. You’re playing with Mother Nature and Father God!"
"I came here to see if you would help me develop my discovery so we can achieve physiological immortality now. I’d like to do extensive research and testing…" Brian began to say when a red-haired girl wearing a white lab coat walked into Dr. Richard Masters’ office.
"Excuse me, Brian. Allow me to introduce my research assistant: Ms. April Donovan." Dr. Richard Masters said.
April handed Dr. Masters a note. She turned to smile at Brian and then left the office. Dr. Masters read the note and said, "I’ve got to go to the hospital now. I’m sorry for this interruption. What was it you were asking me? You want me to work with you developing physical immortality?" Dr. Richard Masters asked.
"That’s right." Brian replied.
"Absolutely not! I will not interfere with the work of God! And I suggest you don’t either lest you experience the Wrath of God! Now I must go. It’s been nice meeting you." Dr. Masters said as he got up and hurried out of his office. Brian walked out behind him.
____________________
Brian was on his way to Kimberly Young’s office, which was at the other end of Occidental University. Brian asked himself how he could get Dr. Masters to work with him. Suddenly, the image of April Donovan popped into his head. He turned around in the hall and began walking toward Dr. Masters’ office. Brian saw a medical student near Dr. Richard Masters’ office and asked him if he knew April Donovan. The medical student said yes and told Brian where he could find her.
A few minutes later, Brian walked through an empty laboratory in Occidental University’s medical center. He walked to the back of the lab where a light was shining through an open doorway. He peered in the doorway and saw a person standing by a desk.
"April?" Brian said.
"What are you doing here?" April Donovan asked.
"I met you a few minutes ago in Dr. Masters’ office, remember? My name is Brian Storm. Can I speak with you about an important matter?" Brian asked.
"Yes, I remember you. What is so important?" said April.
"Ah, can we go somewhere to talk. I mean, I need your undivided attention. Is there a cafeteria around here?" asked Brian.
April looked Brian up and down. She observed Brian’s curly brown hair, green eyes, and muscular build. She walked closer to him. He noticed her long red hair and attractive face. Brian felt an animal magnetism between them.
While standing next to Brian, April looked into his eyes and said, "Are you sure you want to leave here? We’re all alone. No one will interrupt our conversation."
Brian cleared his throat and said, "You’re right. Let’s stay here."
April twirled around and walked back to her desk, standing in front of it looking at Brian. She said, "So, what do you want?"
April’s slim body, beautiful hair, and sexy voice distracted Brian. He momentarily forgot why he was in the room. He just stared at her.
"Well? Do I have to pry it out of you? Or are you going to tell me like a nice boy?" April asked.
"Right," Brian said as he reoriented himself. "I’m offering you and Dr. Masters the opportunity to work with me on developing my new discovery: physical immortality."
"What?" April asked.
"Here, read this." Brian said as he handed his journal to her.
April read the entry about physical immortality and set the book on her desk. She said, "You know, I read an article just the other day about genetic research that might help you. Let me see if I can find it." She thumbed through some papers in a file.
Brian said, "This area is becoming popular now. I predict it will become even more popular when the Human Genome Project is completed."
"Sure. Oh, here it is." April said as she handed Brian an article about genetic research as it pertained to longevity of animals.
"Thank you," said Brian. He perused the article.
"You want me and Dr. Masters to work with you developing physical immortality? What did the doctor say?" April asked.
"Dr. Masters refused to work with me. He says I’m interfering with the work of God." Brian replied.
"I agree!" April asserted.
Brian thought to himself, "Oh shit: another mystic! What the hell am I going to do?" Suddenly Brian thought of Alex Freeman’s first wife, Violet Newman. Brian knew of Violet because Alex used to complain about her. Brian never met the lady, but he knew she was a mystic—some kind of faith healer. He knew she was into astrology, religion, God, and new-age mysticism. Brian compared April to Violet.
Brian said, "Let me ask you a few questions. Do you believe in astrology and horoscopes?"
"Yes! They’re so real. In fact, just the other day I read my horoscope and it came true." April said happily.
Brian asked, "Are you religious? If so, what religion do you follow?"
"I’m Catholic." April said while pointing to Christ on a cross, which was hanging on the wall.
"One more thing," Brian said, "Do you believe man can achieve physical immortality?"
April chuckled and said, "Of course not!"
She thought for a moment and said, "If we were immortal, then there would be no need for religion, God, and an afterlife. Let’s face it, if man lived forever in the flesh here on earth, then he would never go to heaven or hell. And that would totally overthrow long-standing beliefs."
April thought some more and continued, "Plus, physical immortality would throw a monkey wrench into morality. Think about it: if there were no such thing as heaven and hell, why would man want to be good? He would no longer fear going to hell for being bad. So in my opinion, man would commit evil acts without restraint, knowing that he would not be punished—because there was no God or Day of Judgment or hell."
April wrapped up her philosophy by saying, "And don’t forget about all the people that sacrifice their life on earth hoping to reach an afterlife of eternal happiness. If man could achieve physical immortality here on earth, that would mean billions of people have wasted their life…to a hoax! Physical immortality would shake things up too much. I think it’s downright dangerous!"
Brian thought about what she said. Then he thought to himself, "This woman provided another key to permanent freedom. She just revealed how physical immortality will banish mystical frauds that have kept mankind mired in stupidity and darkness for millennia. Physical immortality is the eternal illuminator!"
He continued to observe April and thought, "She is the ideal culmination of earth’s irrational world. Her thinking defaults perfectly advance the harmful agenda of all corrupt leaders—both political and religious leaders. But I’m going to break her out of her mystical trap. When she starts integrating reality, she’ll work with me."
April said, "What are you thinking about, Brian?"
"I have to go. I’ll talk to you later," said Brian. He grabbed his journal from April’s desk and left.