When Man Thinks He is God | Previous Challenge Entry

how it works

TITLE: When Man Thinks He is God | Previous Challenge Entry
By JC Hummel
04/13/17
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I stared through the magnifying glass examining the tiny insect. The professor stood next to me, and was so close I could smell the cigar smoke that still lingered on his breath. “Well what do you think?”

“This specimen is an apis mellifera, or honey bee. There is nothing unusual about it.”

He moved in front of me. “I’m so excited that you think it’s real. Your expertise in this field makes me confident that my invention has been a success. The bee you were looking at is not and never has been a living organism.”

“I’m an entomologist. I think I would know if it wasn't real.”

“Look again. It is my creation,” he said, his eyes wide and intense. He walked away from me and toward the glass doors on the other side of the laboratory. “I developed the first prototype many years ago. It was very elaborate for the time, but compared to today’s technology it was just a mechanical gadget. Now with its modern design, it is better than the real thing.” He took out a set of keys and unlocked the door. “Come, see the others.”

I obediently followed him outside hoping he hadn't noticed my apprehension. The garden was beautiful with towering trees and bursts of color from numerous flowering plants. “Every insect out here is my creation and will only fly within the boundaries I program for them." He walked over to some marigolds. “See the ladybugs? They have no practical function, but children love them, so they are here merely for decoration.”

An artificial dragonfly whipped by me with the same distinctive movements of a real dragonfly. “You've done an amazing job creating these artificial creatures, but I thought you were working on eradicating diseases carried by insects.”

“I am. Don’t you see. The future will be a world without bees. Nobody will die of anaphylactic shock because of a bee sting.”

Stunned by his response I raised my voice. “Bees are an integral part of the ecosystem, they help pollinate our crops…”

“My bees and my other insects will be programmed to do that. With my inventions I will wipe out diseases that have sickened and killed millions of people. Imagine a world without yellow fever, malaria, Zika. There will be no need for pesticides that poison our food and the environment.”

“What about the birds and other reptiles who eat the insects?”

He smiled and spoke calmly, “Great question. We can replace them, too. You know birds spread disease and damage property. Of course, we can still raise chickens for food. Then I could create dogs and cats. Can you imagine owning a dog without the work of having a pet. They would be programmed to be just as loyal and loving as a biological animal.”

“Professor, I’m sorry. I can’t agree. You want to make all insects extinct and then move on to other animals including our beloved companions? It’s not ethical and people love nature too much to let you get away with this.”

He laughed, “I could slowly introduce them into nature and it would be some time before anyone would notice. Earlier, you couldn't tell that my bee was artificial. You underestimate people. Most of them like to be comfortable, especially when they are outdoors. After a summer without the misery of tick and mosquito bites, there will be no question how much they love my creation over nature.”

“I know you think your intentions are good, but you cannot kill whole species of animals and replace them with your own evil creations.”

“Evil? How dare you. I have dedicated the last forty years of my life for the betterment of mankind. I will go down in history as a brilliant scientist who saved millions of lives.”

“Professor, I have always respected you, but you are not being reasonable. What you’re doing is wrong. You are planning to destroy God’s creation and replace it with your own while claiming your work is better. I cannot be part of this.”

“Leave,” he said, and pointed to the door. “Get out!” His eyes were large and bulging, and for the first time I was scared of him. I left the science building with a heavy heart terrified by what I had witnessed. I needed to tell someone, but who? Nobody would believe me.

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