My carefree life in space

Chapter 155 Gene Agents

The next day, before the research institute's results were available, the identity of the monster had been clarified.

His name is Li Chong, and he came to the Imperial Star from Ita Star two months ago. However, he is not a resident of Ita Star, and why he is there is currently unknown.

After arriving in Dixing, Li Chong rented a small apartment. He usually didn't like to interact with people, and very few people had ever seen him.

According to his landlord, when he first arrived, he spoke and behaved normally, showing no signs of anything unusual. His landlord was quite frightened after hearing about Li Chong's transformation.

The trail went cold again, and the investigation reached a stalemate.

As the incident gained increasing attention online, it caused considerable panic. Authorities had to intervene to reassure the public, stating that it was an isolated incident and that there was no need for excessive anxiety, assuring everyone of the safety level of the Imperial Star.

This was indeed very useful, and everyone's worries were finally put to rest. After all, when it comes to safety, if Imperial Star is second to none, no other planet dares to claim first place.

Although public panic has been quelled, the pressure on the authorities remains. They don't know if there are any remaining hidden mutants, or if so, where they are hiding.

What's particularly troubling is that, judging from Li Chong's case, he was no different from a normal person before his mutation. This means that official institutions are completely in a passive position. If more people like Li Chong emerge, what will become of the government's credibility?

This matter alarmed Jin Hongyu.

"Such a big thing, and you were completely unaware? Do you expect to find out only when the whole city is full of mutants?"

In a fit of rage, he roared at Cheng Tianhua, the head of the Public Security Management Department. After venting his anger, he ordered the public security authorities to investigate the source and number of the mutants as soon as possible.

After leaving the palace, Cheng Tianhua looked worried. He was well aware of the seriousness of the situation, but the investigation had reached a dead end. After thinking for a moment, he headed towards the Imperial Research Institute.

After finding Ellison, he asked hopefully, "So, have you made any discoveries in your research?"

Ellison had just come out of the lab; they had been working on the experiment non-stop since last night. They had just made a little progress, and before he could even take a sip of water, he was caught and questioned about the progress.

"Old Cheng, let go. Let me catch my breath before I talk to you." Ellison freed his arm from Cheng Tianhua's grasp. "I know you're anxious, but you have to give me a break."

Cheng Tianhua apologized sheepishly, "I'm sorry, Dean, I was just too anxious. You know, this matter is too shocking, and I really couldn't withstand the pressure!"

Ellison, aware of the seriousness of the matter, did not delay and informed him of their research findings.

"You mean he was injected with gene-enhancing drugs?" Cheng Tianhua was shocked. It wasn't that he didn't believe it, but gene research was explicitly prohibited by the Empire.

In fact, genetic research has existed for a long time. Initially, it was only used on plants and animals. However, due to severe interstellar pollution, people had to find alternative ways to seek more food sources.

Initially, it did have some effect; people who consumed genetically modified plants and animals did experience lower levels of pollution in their bodies. However, side effects quickly appeared, first manifesting in newborns.

During that period, the rate of birth defects in newborns was extremely high, which was incredible in the interstellar era. This is because, even in ancient times, people could detect fetal abnormalities during pregnancy; in the technologically advanced interstellar world, such detection was incredibly simple.

And infant deformities do indeed occur in the interstellar era.

What's even more puzzling is that the baby is perfectly fine at the moment of birth, but soon some hidden features appear, such as an extra leg, an extra ear, or even animal hair and nails.

This immediately brings to mind genetically modified foods, sparking debate about whether to stop genetic modification.

Radicals argue that genetically modified foods have indeed solved people's food problem to a large extent, and therefore have a reason to exist. They believe they should not be abolished outright.

Rational people, however, see the future of humanity. Whether the long-term consumption of genetically modified food will lead humanity to its destruction is a very serious question.

The controversy lasted for a long time, and it was only when the number of deformed children increased that people saw the reality.

Ultimately, the ban on genetic research was enacted through legislation, and genetic research gradually faded from people's daily lives.

Ellison fully understood Cheng Tianhua's shock, because he had reacted the same way when he learned the outcome.

"So, someone is secretly conducting genetic research and using it on living people?"

Ellison nodded. It was obvious, wasn't it?

The research institute's conclusions were quickly relayed to the relevant personnel, and Mo Ze also received the news.

Lin Shushu was unaware that the Empire had banned gene research, since gene technology had already developed quite well in her time, at least in the medical field.

Seeing her confusion, Mo Ze asked, "Shu Shu, are you wondering why gene research is prohibited when its advantages in the medical field are undeniable?"

Lin Shushu nodded; it sounded like throwing the baby out with the bathwater.

"Undeniably, gene technology has an auxiliary role in medical research, but with changes in human physiology, we can heal ourselves from some diseases. Thus, gene research becomes somewhat of a double-edged sword." He paused, seemingly thinking of himself, and continued to explain.

"The most important point is that there are precedents for injecting animal genes into humans, and there have been quite a few incidents, which is why it has been met with resistance."

Hundreds of years ago, in order to deal with the alien beasts, someone injected the genes of the alien beasts into human warriors, thinking that the warriors would be stronger and could easily defeat the alien beasts.

But they overlooked one point: whether humans injected with alien genes ultimately retain their humanity or their animalistic nature.

The result can be imagined.

The people injected with the alien beast genes were initially killing alien beasts normally, but whether it was due to the stimulation of killing or the awakening of the alien beast genes in their bodies, they turned on their companions, ultimately leading to tragedy.

Lin Shushu's mood also became heavy.

Many things have two sides. People always think they can control the course of events, but little do they know that once some things start, they are no longer under their control.

"Then... are you..."

Mo Ze knew what she wanted to ask, but he couldn't explain it clearly. He was too young back then, and in a coma, he didn't know what had happened to him.

What puzzled him even more was that his symptoms were completely different from those that usually occur after injecting medication, making it hard to associate them with the medication.

This is why, over the years, neither I nor my parents have considered the possibility of gene therapy.