The Genesis Illusion

Chapter 38

A cluster of more than a dozen modern steel and glass buildings, connected by enclosed sky walkway bridges spanning the roads beneath, comprised the Ecopolitan Research Center complex. This is the location written on Mr. Lim's provisional patent application. The buildings housed a variety of public and private partnership enterprises devoted to bio-medical and genetic research. Professors and students provided scientific leadership for the innovative research projects. The complex contained the most advanced scientific equipment and inside the buildings and surrounding the complex support services like restaurants, laundries, building maintenance, and computer technology made the research complex almost completely self-contained. The Center had become a leading research and development model admired for its scientific achievements.

Maria and Paul entered the Crios building and ascended to the fourth level. "This is the laboratory where I work when I'm in Singapore," Maria said, obviously proud of her affiliation. The nameplate next to the door was blank other than the room number. The laboratory was a typical research facility. Rows of benches and cabinets filled the space. Several young people wearing white lab-coats, probably students, stood in front of specialized bio-hazard containment hoods wearing eye protection as they manipulated dangerous substances in safety.

Maria, her arm in a sling, acknowledged several of the workers by smiling and nodding as she walked past them to a small office at the rear of the room. A desk and one side chair completely filled the room. Maria hung her purse on the hook to the side of the desk and sat down behind it.

The room instantly filled with her lab associates concerned about her arm. Paul, sitting in the only chair, became surrounded by standing well-wishers making him claustrophobic. After accepting their sympathy Maria explained that she was fine and encouraged everyone to return to their work.

Once the room cleared Paul's could see another building outside the only window behind Maria. Although small, the window allowed light to enter the otherwise enclosed work area, it didn't open and dirty streaks covered the pane. The open door made the room seem bigger, but this didn't compensate for its invitation welcoming anyone who wanted to enter.

Maria asked Paul if he would like something to drink, either coffee or Milo. Paul found it curious that Milo was so popular in Singapore. Nestlé made the product and had done a spectacular job of marketing. In fact, many Singaporeans preferred the sugary coffee-chocolate drink to coffee. Paul didn't, he found it way too sweet for his taste. Most natives added heaps of sugar to their coffee too. Paul chose coffee so he could have it black if he wanted. After getting coffee from the containers at one side of the laboratory they returned to Maria's office.

"This is it," Maria said. "Home sweet home. I spend a lot of time here."

"It's very impressive," Paul said. "While we were walking through the main part of the laboratory, I noticed a room to side marked DNA Sequencer."

"Yes, it's quite incredible. We have the most advanced equipment and if we don't have something in our own lab, it's available to us, on a sharing basis, somewhere in the complex."

"Who funds all this?"

"I'm not completely briefed on all the financial stuff but corporations fund most of the projects. The Singapore government is also a partner. The University, as I understand it, mostly provides the labor for the research projects such as the professors who lead the research and their students."

"So with this laboratory and the research you're doing, a corporation or more than one perhaps, is funding some or all of the research?"

"Yes, we have a confidentiality agreement. The Corporation gets the results of our work but the University has a right to publish any unprotected technical advances."