Einstein Dog Read Free Page B

is?”
    â€œLooking for cures, Professor,” Hindquist responded. “Developing medical technology that has the potential to improve the quality of life.”
    â€œThe SMART Project is a long, long way from applied technology, Frank,” Professor Smith observed. “It’s purely academic research. You realize that?”
    â€œAMOS is known for being at the cutting edge, Professor. We often see applications for purely academic research. When we identify these kinds of possibilities, we support the research. It’s that simple, really.”
    â€œWhat possibilities do you see in Sequenced Mental Acceleration, Frank?” Professor Smith inquired.
    â€œI’m a little uncertain myself, when it comes to the science,” Hindquist confessed, warming to his topic. “But my advisors tell me it may be possible to develop cures for some human ailments through a process they call cell farming.”
    â€œCell farming?” Professor Smith echoed.
    â€œYes. Growing cells outside the body, which are genetically modified to produce helpful medicines. The altered cells cannot survive on their own because they are not part of a living organism, but the chemicals they produce can be used to treat a wide range of ailments.”
    â€œI still don’t see the SMART connection,” Professor Smith said, frowning.
    â€œYour SMART dogs think more quickly because you have genetically increased the levels of neurotransmitters in their brains. If we could grow those cells in a cultured medium we could extract medicines that would increase the brain function of humans.”
    Another long silence followed.
    Genetic engineering! Elaine muffled a gasp.
    â€œIt’s not really genetic engineering,” Hindquist said as if he’d overheard her thoughts. “The farmed cells could never survive outside the laboratory, so they could never enter the gene pool. I don’t think any ethical objections could be raised on those grounds.”
    Libra shifted slightly so she could see into the lab through the glass panel in the kennel door. There stood Professor Smith, his gaunt, grizzled head visible over the shoulders of Frank Hindquist and Dean Zolinsky. His glasses were somewhat askew, as usual; his bright blue eyes flicked back and forth between the visitors.
    â€œAre you serious?” he said at last.
    â€œAlex!” Dean Zolinsky squawked.
    â€œVery serious,” Hindquist answered smoothly. “One million dollars serious.”
    â€œA million dollars!” Professor Smith croaked. Then he frowned. “What is it you want from me?” he asked suspiciously.
    â€œThere are no strings attached, Professor” Hindquist assured, “All I ask is that AMOS be informed as you continue with the next stage of your project.”
    â€œNext stage?”
    â€œYes,” Hindquist said excitedly. “Dean Zolinsky tells me you are on the verge of developing a truly spectacular leap in canine intelligence, that your next trials could produce dogs as intelligent as chimpanzees.”
    Chimpanzees! Libra yiped indignantly. How dare he!
    Humans! she growled, anger tightening her gut just as Professor Smith and his entourage barged into the kennel.
    â€œAh!” the man named Hindquist was saying, his eyes locking on Libra in a predatory gaze. “So this is our SMART dog, is it?”
    â€œNumber 73,” Professor Smith confirmed.
    The scent of Hindquist was overwhelming. Libra snarled and lunged, crushing her nose against the restraining mesh of her cage.
    â€œLibra!” Elaine shouted.
    Startled, Hindquist rolled backwards onto the concrete floor, but righted himself expertly, squaring off in a fighter’s crouch. He would never be taken off guard again, Libra realized, ashamed of herself. She had behaved stupidly.
    Libra was vaguely aware of something else, something that constricted her heart with terror and confusion: the man, Hindquist, was reading her