Read The Messiah Code for Free Online
Authors: Michael Cordy
human genome. A cursor, like a spotlight, appeared next, moving across the screen before
zeroing in on a section of the rungs on the spiral ladder.
" Defect evident in p53 tumor suppressor gene on chromosome
17. Maternal copy corrupted and paternal copy prone to muta tion ," informed DAN. The screen cursor followed its words, pointing at the mismatched base pairs on the rungs of the ladder, then highlighting the incorrect letters of code in the maternal copy of Holly's genome.
CAT-ACG-TAG-GAC, it read, the highlighted defects clearly visible.
"What does the p53 gene do again?" asked Jasmine anxiously, more familiar with the workings of DAN than its results.
"It helps repair damaged DNA. A mutated p53 gene is the major precursor of clonal evolution. The process that leads to cancer. But this gene alone doesn't necessarily mean Holly will get the disease. Plenty of genes are involved in this cancer; that's why it's so goddamned hard to cure. To get it definitely she has to have inherited a particular combination of defective genes on both her paternal and maternal chromosomes."
"So she could still be okay? Yeah?"
Before Tom could answer, the screen shifted to another section of the spiral ladder. This time the heading read: "Chromosome 9."
" Cluster of genes vulnerable on chromosome 9. Paternal set corrupted. Maternal set missing--cer6 and cer14 at risk--inf19 and inf27 contain reverse code defect ."
Jasmine didn't need to look at Tom's ashen face to know this was bad. But before she could consider the implications DAN shifted the screen image again. "Chromosome 10" was the new heading. The Genescope was remorseless in its diagnosis--no tact evident in its toneless revelations.
" Four ras genes on chromosome 10 have gaps in sequence. Mutation inevitable ," droned DAN as if forecasting the weather.
"Jeez!" said Jasmine under her breath.
Tom looked straight ahead and didn't speak for a moment. "It's worse than I thought," he said quietly. "One overall defect is usually harmless. Even aberrations in all three chromosomes can be managed if the individual in
herited a healthy set from her other parent. But Holly's got the worst combination of all. Every genetic accident that could have happened has happened."
Tom turned to Jasmine, his blue eyes more angry than sad.
She just shook her head, and put her hand on his shoulder. There was nothing she could say.
Tom looked back at the impassive black swan. "So, DAN, you goddamned bastard, what's your prognosis? What's going to happen to her?" She could see Tom was stoking his anger, no doubt preferring it to the alternative. Despair was so useless.
" A ninety-nine percent probability exists that the combination of genetic defects in genome of subject Holly Carter will eventually lead to glioblastoma multiforme ."
The two words sounded so much less frightening than "cancer" or "tumor," more like the Latin name of an exotic rose. But Jasmine wasn't fooled. As Tom had told her, glioblastoma multiforme was the worst kind of astrocytoma. The most virulent form of brain cancer.
She thought of Holly walking so bravely from her mother's graveside, all dressed up in her scarlet coat and black furry hat, and she felt an irrational hatred for DAN then. As if it was somehow responsible for the terrible news.
She turned to Tom, who just sat there, his blue eyes blazing with Arctic fire.
"God, I'm sorry, Tom."
"It's not over yet," he said with his customary stubbornness. "There's still one more question to ask it."
Of course, she thought, the time horizon.
Despite his anger she could see Tom was almost paralyzed with fear. It took him some seconds to compose himself. Then she heard him demand in a strong voice: "DAN, you cold son of a bitch, assuming most optimistic environmental factors, and best available medical treatments, when will clonal evolution commence? And when will Holly's cancer reach its fourth and fatal stage?"
There was a momentary pause and the growl of the
zeroing in on a section of the rungs on the spiral ladder.
" Defect evident in p53 tumor suppressor gene on chromosome
17. Maternal copy corrupted and paternal copy prone to muta tion ," informed DAN. The screen cursor followed its words, pointing at the mismatched base pairs on the rungs of the ladder, then highlighting the incorrect letters of code in the maternal copy of Holly's genome.
CAT-ACG-TAG-GAC, it read, the highlighted defects clearly visible.
"What does the p53 gene do again?" asked Jasmine anxiously, more familiar with the workings of DAN than its results.
"It helps repair damaged DNA. A mutated p53 gene is the major precursor of clonal evolution. The process that leads to cancer. But this gene alone doesn't necessarily mean Holly will get the disease. Plenty of genes are involved in this cancer; that's why it's so goddamned hard to cure. To get it definitely she has to have inherited a particular combination of defective genes on both her paternal and maternal chromosomes."
"So she could still be okay? Yeah?"
Before Tom could answer, the screen shifted to another section of the spiral ladder. This time the heading read: "Chromosome 9."
" Cluster of genes vulnerable on chromosome 9. Paternal set corrupted. Maternal set missing--cer6 and cer14 at risk--inf19 and inf27 contain reverse code defect ."
Jasmine didn't need to look at Tom's ashen face to know this was bad. But before she could consider the implications DAN shifted the screen image again. "Chromosome 10" was the new heading. The Genescope was remorseless in its diagnosis--no tact evident in its toneless revelations.
" Four ras genes on chromosome 10 have gaps in sequence. Mutation inevitable ," droned DAN as if forecasting the weather.
"Jeez!" said Jasmine under her breath.
Tom looked straight ahead and didn't speak for a moment. "It's worse than I thought," he said quietly. "One overall defect is usually harmless. Even aberrations in all three chromosomes can be managed if the individual in
herited a healthy set from her other parent. But Holly's got the worst combination of all. Every genetic accident that could have happened has happened."
Tom turned to Jasmine, his blue eyes more angry than sad.
She just shook her head, and put her hand on his shoulder. There was nothing she could say.
Tom looked back at the impassive black swan. "So, DAN, you goddamned bastard, what's your prognosis? What's going to happen to her?" She could see Tom was stoking his anger, no doubt preferring it to the alternative. Despair was so useless.
" A ninety-nine percent probability exists that the combination of genetic defects in genome of subject Holly Carter will eventually lead to glioblastoma multiforme ."
The two words sounded so much less frightening than "cancer" or "tumor," more like the Latin name of an exotic rose. But Jasmine wasn't fooled. As Tom had told her, glioblastoma multiforme was the worst kind of astrocytoma. The most virulent form of brain cancer.
She thought of Holly walking so bravely from her mother's graveside, all dressed up in her scarlet coat and black furry hat, and she felt an irrational hatred for DAN then. As if it was somehow responsible for the terrible news.
She turned to Tom, who just sat there, his blue eyes blazing with Arctic fire.
"God, I'm sorry, Tom."
"It's not over yet," he said with his customary stubbornness. "There's still one more question to ask it."
Of course, she thought, the time horizon.
Despite his anger she could see Tom was almost paralyzed with fear. It took him some seconds to compose himself. Then she heard him demand in a strong voice: "DAN, you cold son of a bitch, assuming most optimistic environmental factors, and best available medical treatments, when will clonal evolution commence? And when will Holly's cancer reach its fourth and fatal stage?"
There was a momentary pause and the growl of the
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