Make man

Sixty groups of mice did a controlled experiment, and the results were perfect.Next comes clinical trials, where they need to find volunteers to experiment with drugs, and they have to be extra cautious.Drugs that act on brain activity generally have strong neuroemotional side effects, and they need to choose subjects with a mild temper.

Chen Ou placed advertisements in major media, inviting Alzheimer's patients and their families to participate in clinical trials, but few responded.The professor has never interfered with his research, but this time he raised an objection.

"You should seek police clearance directly, search genetic population banks and contact those who have recently developed or may have developed disease."

The Institute of Genetics participates in the police's "genetic population database" project.With their relationship, it is not difficult to enter the database to search for patient data, but Chen Ou doesn't want to do it at all.

Chen Ou smiled bitterly: "Professor, this is contrary to the principles we have always adhered to that are 'genes are the highest personal privacy' and 'genetic population databases should not be used for commercial purposes'."

As early as when the police asked the research institute to help establish a genetic database, Chen Ou expressed his concern that personal genetic information would be abused.But the police assured that this will be top secret information.After the Alzheimer's drug is successfully developed, it will definitely be handed over to a specialized pharmaceutical company for low-cost, large-scale commercial manufacturing.Therefore, the use of police resources in the research and development stage inevitably leads to the suspicion of abusing public property.

The professor shook his head disapprovingly.

"It's too inefficient. If you don't get enough volunteers, you don't get enough supporting data."

Chen Ou had no choice but to search slowly and contact them one by one.

************************************************** ***********************

"How's Officer Jones?" asked the professor.

Chen Ou said: "Charles is a very reliable friend, I am very relieved to entrust him."

The professor snorted, expressing his disdain for Chen Ou's opinion, and said, "People who lied to us the first time."

Charles introduced himself as Charles Franz.But he confessed a week later, admitting that his surname is Louis and that he is a member of the Lewis family.Chen Ou was taken aback at first, because of Jessica, he had a very good opinion of this Xuanhe family.But Charles not only changed Nice, but also changed Chen Ou's prejudice.Only the professor still has a grudge when he mentions it sometimes.

During these days, he contacted her several times through the secret contact information provided by Police Officer Jones, and learned that she was still suspended, and still insisted on searching for illegal evidence of the Lewis Group.Charles had spoken to him on the phone several times alone, saying that Officer Jones was not doing well.

Shire opened his own artificial intelligence company, engaged in medical big data mining and processing, and made a good profit.Shire's father wants to represent the Louis Group to acquire the company, so that Shire will naturally enter the group's top management.Charles refused.

"It's not that I'm so introverted that I don't want to use family influence," Shire said on the phone. "It's not in the dictionary of businessmen. But I always feel that it's not the right time. James is a bit radical, and the pharmaceutical industry is most afraid of 'radical'." This word has something to do with it." Charles pondered and didn't say any more.But Chen Ou felt that he was a little resentful, and he must have been unhappy with James.

So Chen Ou suggested: "Do you want to move the company to Wens? Although this is not a big city, it has a beautiful environment and low living costs, and it is easy to recruit research and technical personnel."

Chen Ou was just giving a suggestion to his old friend. Unexpectedly, a week later, he met Charles and Police Officer Jones in the research institute.

The last time I saw Ciel was almost ten years ago.Shire has changed from an amateur painter to the youngest and most influential president of a new technology company in China, but he still has an uninhibited artist style. He wears simple clothes, bold T-shirts and trousers, and colorful colors. Hitting the eyeballs makes him look less like a president of a new technology company than a leftist radical who smokes marijuana and practices yoga to oppose genes.However, the texture of the clothes is very well sewn, which is different from the roughness of ordinary independent design brands.Considering such a niche aesthetic taste, Chen Ou suspects that this suit is a product of his own design.

Still fond of painting, Charles has put several of his paintings on consignment at Lancelow's independent art gallery, while calmly accepting the fact that he is not a first-rate painter.His company is developing very fast. Chen Ou has seen several close-ups of Charles laughing on the cover of the business monthly "New Capital" magazine.There are some shallow wrinkles on his forehead, his face is still thin, his lines are as sharp as knives and axes, and his smile is still passionate and contagious.He and Chen Ou thumped each other's shoulders, blinked, and showed a bright smile. Chen Ou felt that he had returned to ten years ago.

Some people haven't seen each other for ten years, and their faces are the same as before.Some people have not seen each other for only a few weeks, and they are as old as if they have never been seen in a lifetime.

The author has something to say: Recently, there are many things and I am exhausted. This article is updated irregularly.Thank you in advance for your understanding.

☆、Chapter 26

In Chen Ou's impression, Police Officer Jones is high-spirited and aggressive, and has enthusiasm and ideals for work that are not common at her age.Chen Ou could always feel the suspicion and hostility she concealed under the social etiquette, like a cactus wrapped in soft cotton candy.But this reunion, the unpleasant sharpness on her body is gone, her hair is neglected, and new hair grows a few inches long at the root, which is completely different from the color of the previously dyed hair; The supermarket "three pieces of ten yuan" clothes are used directly to put on the body, and the nails are uneven and mottled.In short, she is now a down-and-out unemployed middle-aged woman through and through.Chen Ou smelled a faint smell of alcohol on her body, and it was not yet ten o'clock in the morning.

Charles blinked at Chen Ou, made a gesture of drinking, and whispered: "Drinking."

Chen Ou gave him a hard look, and Charles made a bitter face, expressing that he really tried his best.

Officer Jones blinked his eyes dully, and didn't realize at all that the two young men in front of him were flirting with each other and talking about him.She smiled at Chen Ou: "Hello, Professor Chen."

Chen Ou hugged her gently, and the three came to the reception room.

It remains as it was during the last visit by Officer Jones.It was the first time for Charles to come here, and he was very interested, looking around with a coffee cup.

Officer Jones took out a memory card and said, "It contains something I copied from the Lewis Group. I think you might be interested."

Charles admired the photos on the commemorative wall of the room, without turning his head, he said: "I've seen them, they are all research topics conducted by the group in recent years, they have not been made public, but they are not classified as confidential, at least I know--God , Chen, you really resemble your father." He turned his head and looked at Chen Ou, and said objectively, "You are fatter than your father."

Chen Ou took the memory card in silence, inserted it into the computer, and remembered the professor's evaluation of Charles: he was an idiot.

The contents of the memory card were projected on the wall, and Chen Ou skillfully flipped through the relevant files.Judging from a professional perspective, the Lewis Group has invested heavily in genetic research in recent years, focusing on cross-species gene fusion, but there are no products that can be put into actual large-scale commercial production.For a profit-centered business organization, such a low rate of return is difficult to explain to investors.

Suddenly, Chen Ou noticed a name, which was very familiar. In recent years, he often saw his papers in academic journals on genetic research. Chen Ou had never noticed that he was also working in the Lewis Group.

"'Prometheus' project? What is this?" Chen Ou asked Charles, pointing to the project name behind the name.

Charles glanced casually: "Project code name. A common problem among large groups, they always like to give projects a code name. Project Zeus develops super antibiotics against all bacteria. Project Gaia develops hormone drugs to eliminate women's uterine fibroids. Dio The Nissos project is to develop an auxiliary drug for quitting alcoholism. I welcome them to launch the 'Aphrodite' project to research a safe and side-effect-free drug for adults..." He shrugged and answered Chen Ou's question: " I don’t know the specific content of the Prometheus project, it should be related to genetic engineering, James often said that our study of genes is like Prometheus stealing fire for the world.”

Officer Jones noticed Chen Ou's face and asked, "What's wrong?"

"Pollman used to work for Wagundi. After he left, Wagundi never recruited a new laboratory supervisor." Chen Ou said, searching the papers published by Polman in recent years on the computer network, "all of them are related to genes. It is related to research, and the views are very bold, but the publications that publish the articles have little influence... Wait, I want to ask."

He called the editor he knew well, and when the other party answered the phone, he gushed: "Chen, you must give me the paper this time, "Genetic Engineering" has already published one of your papers, and we must come up with one immediately." , readers will not say that we don't care about the progress of genetic science..."

Chen Ou had to rudely interrupt the draft, said a name, and asked, "Do you have any impression of this person?"

The other party immediately made a mocking voice and said, "What? Polman finally found you? Tell him to stop delusional. Without data support, his thesis is science fiction!"

Polman believes that many incurable diseases come from the natural limitations of human genes and cannot be cured. The solution is to introduce genes that have successfully integrated across species into human genes, and use the genetic codes of other animals to "let humans surpass themselves."

"This idea is not new, at least not in the world of science fiction. But in academia, it is very difficult to take the first step. First, it is necessary to breed living organisms of cross-species. Second, extract the corresponding genetic data from the living organisms and use in drug development. Polman’s thesis is based on the assumption that cross-species living organisms can be successfully cultivated, but so far, no institution has made progress in this regard.” said an editor friend.

Chen Ou felt a chill.

According to police officer Jones, the Lewis Group researcher said that "clinical trials can use data from 16 years ago." The Lewis group's large-scale cross-species gene transfer provides a theoretical basis.Officer Jones found out that Wagundi was not directly responsible for the drug accident that year, but he was kicked out of the group.Chen Ou thought, that's right.What better place in the world to conduct such an experiment than a genetic research institute?The Lewis Group will find ways to send him to work with the professor.

So that's why the Lewis Group is racking their brains to get Wagundi's shares.They want to grab Wagendi's research results openly and aboveboard through the results priority transfer agreement, and continue to use them for the Prometheus project.Chen Ou dared to bet that if he checked Wagendi's computer now, he would definitely find a lot of information about exchanging research results with the Lewis Group in the past few years.This also solved another mystery of Chen Ou: Wagendi's laboratory does not have any decent research patents, what has supported him to carry out research work for so many years.Naturally, although the professor disagrees with him, the project grants that should be given will not be less. But for this kind of innovative research, the ordinary amount of project grants is really a drop in the bucket and far from enough.

After listening to the explanation, Police Officer Jones said in disgust: "My God, these crazy scientists! They are really inhumane!"

Charles had to defend the Lewis Group, though he was equally astonished to hear it, and immediately stated that neither he nor his father knew anything about it.

"Officer Jones, human genes are not so pure and noble, they have never changed. Look at Chen Ou." He turned Chen Ou's face to face Officer Jones, and Chen Ou struggled: "Look at his eyes! Eyelashes! Thick, slender, almost one more row of eyelashes than others. All girls will be jealous. The famous movie star Elizabeth Taylor of the twentieth century also has such eyelashes, but it means lymphedema, which means that his legs are thicker after a long flight Others are more prone to edema, which is related to the FOXC2 gene mutation, and now we call it 'double eyelashes'." He let go of Chen Ou, who blinked uncomfortably, avoiding the curious look of Police Officer Jones. "But what's the harm of this genetic mutation?" Charles spread his hands, "I guess most girls are willing to endure the little discomfort of a long-distance trip in exchange for such a pair of eyelashes."

Chen Ou nodded in agreement.

"Human genes are not as immutable as you think, from the cradle to the grave. The fact is that genes are easily influenced by the outside world. Smoking, drinking, staying up late, unseasonable food, and even a cup of black coffee may bring about genetic changes. These Changes happen without us knowing, accumulate over time, and pass on to our children. One day, the amount of genetic change reaches a threshold, and boom! The doctor tells you that you have cancer."

Police Officer Jones still refused to give up: "Natural genetic changes are one thing, but man-made changes are another! Who would allow the blood of their offspring to be mixed with wild animal genes! This is defilement! The devil's experiment!"

Chen Ou frowned, feeling a subtle sense of déjà vu in the scene in front of him, thinking that the popularization of genetic research is a long way to go, and even a person like Police Officer Jones, who has received systematic and scientific training, strongly opposed it.

“In fact, what Wagundi and the Lewis Group are doing is revolutionary in a way that is feasible. My concern is that the Lewis Group may be too aggressive and not adequately assess the risks of doing so.”

The consequences of genetic changes are completely unpredictable.Human genes are mutated by environmental pollution, causing incurable diseases such as cancer.If animal genes are introduced, the indirect effects may be manifested over several generations, which is not something that can be accomplished in one generation.

Furthermore, all major scientific discoveries cannot be accomplished by one generation alone.Einstein first hypothesized gravitational waves in 1916, but it wasn't until 2016 that scientists confirmed their existence experimentally for the first time.Only a very lucky few can see their hypothesis confirmed before they close their eyes and die.All that is left to most people is patience and persistence.

Confused, Constable Jones asked, "So instead of stopping the Lewis Group, we're going to stand by?"

Chen Ou pondered: "We need to find the living organism successfully bred by Wagendi as soon as possible. I can't think of what it is, maybe it's a deformed person, maybe it's a wild beast. This kind of living organism cannot be cultivated on a large scale. However, it may not be successful in the future, and its lifespan cannot even be estimated. Without it, the research of the Lewis Group cannot continue."

Officer Jones said firmly: "I obey your orders."

Shire shrugged, and said, "I feel like a traitor after hearing you discuss how to deal with my family." Chen Ou and Officer Jones looked at him.Charles said happily: "However, I think James should be taught a lesson. He is about to attack my father on the board."

The three reached an agreement and split up.

The author has something to say: double update today.

☆、Chapter 27

Chen Ou first found Polman.He needed to figure out how much of Polman's paper came directly from Wagundi's experiments.Unfortunately, he found that Polman hated Wagundi and had no affection for the professor. Hearing Wagundi's name almost drove him out of the house.

"I don't regret leaving the laboratory at all. I wanted to leave a long time ago." Polman said angrily, "Wagendi is a pervert. I got my Ph.D. at the age of 25 and studied genes for 10 years. There have been innovative discoveries about mutism. Then Wagundi asked me to study dolphins! Dolphins! Can you imagine? Yes, they are the most intelligent animals in the sea, genetically closer to humans than apes. But dolphins! I also Not a marine zoologist!" Polman complained gushingly.

"What does the professor say about this?" Chen Ou asked.

"Professor? He is crazier than Wagendi. He said that not only dolphins, but all animals with genes close to humans are worthy of further study. I think the reason why Wagendi is abnormal is because he realized that he can't surpass the professor in terms of academic madness. They used to do a lot of disgusting experiments together. During that time, the backyard of the institute was full of animal carcasses, and the Health and Quarantine Bureau came to make trouble every day. Later, the professor withdrew. Although he was crazy, he was not stupid. It would be a waste of money and time, and possibly an enemy of humanity. But Wagundi insisted on going ahead. Guess what?" Polman giggled.

"The professor invented the genetic lock, and locked all the important achievements and materials in the safe. The unlock key is his gene, which comes from biologically active blood. Even if Wagendi kills him, he can't get the data. It's too much, right? But it can only be like this for Wagendi, he only has himself in his heart, and he can't listen to advice. The professor is a very tough person, if you follow him, you must listen to him." Polman shuddered, narrowed his eyes, It seemed that he just realized that he was talking to someone, "I remember you, your graduation thesis was very insightful, um..."

At that time, I spent every night in the laboratory, thinking about how to make the experimental data more consistent with the theoretical results, so as to pass the graduation thesis. How did I know that the same laboratory had and was conducting such an epoch-making experiment.Chen Ou thought, and asked further: "Did you not participate in the experiment between the professor and Wagundi?"

The muscles on Polman's face twitched, as if he had been poked in pain: "I really want to participate. I have read all the experimental data and analysis over and over again, but not everyone is as lucky as your father. You can directly participate in all important experiments. Most people can only be like me, because of the boss’s absurd idea, deduce things such as dolphin genes over and over again in front of the workstation, forgetting to eat and sleep, all night long.”

Chen Ou suddenly realized that the person in front of him was very old in the research institute and had worked with parents he had never met.

Polman said sadly, "Your father is a genius in this field. The professor publicly said that if anyone can surpass him in the field of genes in the next 30 years, it must be your father. He has no children and plans to leave the research to your father. Wagundi was very jealous because of this, and often yelled at the professor, thinking that he should be the only person to take over the institute."

Chen Ou listened intently, he had never heard of these things mentioned before.When the staff of the institute left one after another, Chen Ou could only imagine what kind of people they were from the papers published by his parents. This was also one of the driving factors that first prompted him to devote himself to genetic research.Chen Ou asked Polman to tell more about his parents.

"Actually, I don't know much, you know, I'm on Wagandi's side, and your father is the most staunch supporter of the professor. We don't even have normal communication. But you can find Catherine, although she is Wagandi No. [-]’s project secretary, but she had a good relationship with your mother back then. There are very few women in the institute, and two women can always find a lot of common topics when they are together.” Polman said nostalgicly, narrowing his eyes, “You should always I remember Catherine, something happened in the lab when you graduated, the Wagendi team broke up, and she got married."

In the ensuing chat, Chen Ou realized that Polman was full of disgust for Wagundi.It is unlikely that his data came directly from Wagundi, so it could only be given to him by the Lewis Group.

"That's right, I used the group's research results, which are highly confidential and cannot be made public, so it's hard to win people's trust. But the group assured me that these are the original data that were actually obtained. I checked in detail, and the data results are logically consistent , the authenticity is more than 95%.”

"Do you know what these data mean?" Chen Ou asked.

Polman shrugged again: "Probably means that the Louis Group has successfully cultivated a hybrid monster. Who cares about this? I'm just an ordinary researcher, and I need the results to support my family."

When Chen Ou left Polman, he thought that he and Wagendi were really similar.

************************************************** *************

Resisting the urge to look for Catherine, Chen Ou first found George, a computer expert at the bar.

"I think Wagundy asked for trouble," George said. "He's crazy, and everyone in his staff hates him and is afraid of him. Like me. Everyone in his lab is responsible for their own work. No one. I know what other people are researching. I never knew what he was researching. Once he came here on Valentine’s Day and asked to find the one with the longest life expectancy among more than 5 gene combinations before breakfast the next day .I said there was not enough time, guess what he said?"

"'It took only seven days for God to create the whole world.' Look at how arrogant he is, comparing himself to the Lord!" George shook his head.

In the end, Chen Ou finally got an appointment with Catherine, but when he saw her for the first time, he thought he had misunderstood her.

When he was an intern at the research institute, he had contact with this Wagundi project secretary. In his impression, she was a beauty of Caucasian descent, twice his age, tall, with fair skin, black eyes, black hair, and red lips. The painting is frightening, he wears a huge amethyst ring on his hand, and he is proficient in tarot fortune-telling.Many people in the Institute are obsessed with her.

But after resigning, Catherine, who devoted herself to caring for her husband and raising her children, was completely reborn.The originally delicate and delicate chin lost its small arc and became more rounded.Her hair was cut short, she wore a pair of small pearl earrings, and she wore polite light makeup. She was full of dullness and self-satisfaction that was used to a happy life.

Catherine didn't remember who Chen Ou was at first. Chen Ou shared with her a few interesting things at the beginning, and she recognized Chen Ou and laughed out loud.

"You are the little boy who called me Beauty Cathy back then." She looked at Chen Ou thoughtfully, "You were only this little tall back then." She compared her thighs and felt that something was wrong, so she lowered her palms again. The next paragraph, "That's a little bit. At that time, you had just been picked up by the professor, and you didn't like to talk."

Chen Ou was a little embarrassed.This is the embarrassment of meeting elders who have seen their childhood."I always remember you," he said with a smile.

Shared memories opened up the conversation.They talked about Chen Ou's parents.

"They are real scientists. They are smart, kind, and courageous. They remember to buy breakfast for their colleagues who stayed up late doing experiments. The fire destroyed everything. The professor didn't recover for a long time. He even refused to host the genetic science research he loves. I handed it over to Wagendi, and went to other places to recuperate, and then he brought you back."

Catherine is very talkative.

"I have a good relationship with Mrs. Chen. There are not many women in the institute. We naturally get to know each other, exchanging lotion, foundation, and coats. She is very beautiful and full of wisdom. She can tell what you are thinking at a glance."

"Do you know if I have other family members?" Chen Ou asked hopefully.

Catherine looked at him: "Your father is an only child, and his parents died young. Your mother seems to have a younger brother who is not in good health. Back then, she was busy with work and didn't have time to go to the city. She often asked me to send money for him. I think you might want to I want this." From her wallet, she took out a scuffed slip of paper with names and phone numbers written in thin letters.Chen Ou took it, looked at it for a long time, and asked: "This is... written by my mother?" It was the first time he saw his mother's relic.

Catherine nodded.Chen Ou held the note even tighter.

This was not the first time he had the idea of ​​looking for his relatives, but in the past, because the professor was firmly opposed, he did not want to hurt the professor's feelings out of subtle psychology, so he never tried hard.This time, it seemed that God personally handed the clues to his palm.

*******************************************************************

Officer Jones asked his acquaintances in the police station to help Chen Ou find his uncle's address.But what Chen Ou saw was a fat middle-aged woman and a little girl.The little girl rolled her eyes at Chen Ou, put sugar on his coat when her mother was not prepared, and screamed loudly.

The middle-aged woman showed no apology: "He is my husband, and he has been dead for many years."

Chen Ou didn't know what to say. After finally finding his blood relatives, his heart gradually calmed down and his mind regained his senses.He looked at the mother and daughter in front of him and saw the clue.The little girl was very irritable, but the mother seemed to be used to it.

"Forgive me for being so abrupt..." he began, but the middle-aged woman interrupted him.

"According to the habit of my husband's family, you should call me aunt. This is your sister." The middle-aged woman said, "You are well-informed, and you should know many people from big pharmaceutical companies? Like the Louis Group? Can you help us?" Ask if there is any specific medicine for Lin's syndrome?"

Lin's syndrome is a genetic disease that can lead to malignant tumors.Chen Ou looked at her aunt, her thin face was calm, and she was not ashamed to ask for help from the younger generation she met for the first time, or she didn't care about her self-esteem at all.

"This disease is a genetic disease in my husband's family. He died of this disease, and now my daughter has it too. Since you are his sister's son, I suggest you do a related gene mutation test. It is an autosomal dominant inheritance, The probability of getting sick is extremely high."

Chen Ou left some money for his aunt, and left her home without gaining any family affection. He only knew that he was likely to suffer from a genetic disease and die young.

The author has something to say: Note: The descriptions of "Lin's syndrome" and "double eyelashes" in this chapter and the previous chapter are from "Gene Revolution" (Mechanical Industry Edition, 2015).

☆、Chapter 28

There is no genetic sample of Lin's syndrome in the genetic research institute, so it cannot be tested.Chen Ou contacted a medical school in the capital and asked them to send him a genetic sample and data of Lin's syndrome.The other party expressed their willingness to help, but it will be Christmas in a week, and it is the peak period for sending mail packages, so the delivery time cannot be guaranteed.Afterwards, Chen Ou called his aunt and told her that Lin's syndrome is not a disease. Its danger is that it can cause malignant tumors with a high probability. It is recommended to do tumor checkups for her cousin regularly.

After arranging everything, Chen Ou asked the professor: "I will accompany you to the medical examination in two days?"

The professor who was browsing the "Gene Research Monthly" raised his head and asked, "Isn't there a spring physical examination every year?" Doctors are busy arranging post-holiday vacations, and patients are busy curing diseases before going on vacation.Every clinic is overcrowded at the moment.There is really no need to arrange a simple physical examination at this time.

Chen Ou remained silent and sat down beside the professor.He suddenly realized that although he and his professor were at the forefront of academia in the field of genetic research and assisted the police in establishing a genetic population database, they still knew very little about their genes.

Of course, there are so many genetically linked diseases that an identifiable fragment of a disease-causing gene is like a grain of sand in the Ganges.Even so, comparing a genetic sample with known disease-causing gene fragments is tantamount to taking a street view photo and comparing it with the scenery pictures of all cities and countries in all countries in the world, hoping to find out what is in the photo. specific geographic location.Major countries have their own genetic population databases, which are basically closed to foreign countries.The research progress of various genetic diseases in different medical institutions is also quite different.Otherwise, with the current level of development of large-scale computer hardware, all known genetic diseases can be screened out from genetic samples on the premise that all data are interconnected and shared, instead of being targeted until being reminded like Chen Ou. to do the screening.

The professor is 76 years old. Chen Ou thinks that if he is really at risk of developing a malignant tumor, he needs to arrange a professor as soon as possible, and develop a cure for Alzheimer's disease as soon as possible.The Lewis Group is eyeing the research institute covetously. They are too radical, and the research institute must not fall into their hands.Nice is too small, doesn't understand genetic research, and doesn't understand business operations, so he can't deal with the Lewis Group.Charles would be a good candidate for entrustment, if he is not a Louis.Chen Ou didn't want to test his friend's loyalty.

************************************************** *******************

Alzheimer's drug development has come to an end. About 260 volunteers began to test the drug.In the next year, they will regularly report to the institute their blood pressure, heartbeat and other physiological conditions after taking the medicine, and whether they have dizziness, palpitations, irritability and other conditions more frequently than before taking the medicine.

Chen Ou is not satisfied with the number of volunteers, he expects the scale to be at least double the current one.But the project secretary responsible for recruiting volunteers assured him that they had used all the resources of the clinic and owed them a lot of favors and money.The Institute needs to pay the clinic doctors a fee as a reward for their feedback on patient information.

Moreover, there is no point in scaling up any further.The clinics currently participating in the trial have long-term cooperation with the Institute, and their credibility is guaranteed.There have been precedents of clinics fabricating clinical information before, and Chen Ou dare not rashly introduce collaborators who don't know the details in such an important drug experiment.

Although Chen Ou felt that he paid great attention to the cost-effectiveness of project investment, when the project secretary came to him to apply for funding for the third time, he was still stunned by the huge amount.

"Why did you spend so much money?" Chen Ou asked.

The project secretary shrugged. "Wagendi has always spared no expense in conducting research. In the past few years, the funding allocation of the institute has not been enough. If he hadn't drawn a large amount of sponsorship from the Lewis Group, the experiment would have stopped a long time ago. Since his death, the Lewis Group The sponsorship was cancelled."

"Maybe we can suspend some projects." Chen Ou muttered.

The project secretary shrugged again. "You have the final say. However," she reminded, "you know the people in the laboratory, they only recognize research but not people. Today you suspend the project, and tomorrow they will pack their bags and go to other institutions. The Lewis Group The headhunter has already contacted many colleagues.”

Chen Ou looked at the project expenditure list in pain.Wagandi is a qualified research team leader. The research plan he formulated has profound significance for revising and perfecting the current genetic theory. Once the results are achieved, it will provide strong theoretical support for most of the projects of the institute and push them to break through the bottleneck.However, this type of basic research requires a huge amount of capital investment, and generally only the government or a powerful consortium can afford such a money-burning project.

The most important thing is that most projects are difficult to stop once they start. Otherwise, the initial investment will be wiped out, and a large sum of money will be paid to close the project: special experimental equipment needs to be disassembled by a professional company, and experimental materials and medicines need to be disposed of in an environmentally friendly manner. , the relevant personnel need to compensate for severance pay... everything is money, and it must be paid out at any time.The institute doesn't have that much cash.

Chen Ou signed his name on the check and asked the project secretary: "When will the patent fee for next year arrive?" The research institute has many drug patents, which are the main source of research funding.

The project secretary shrugged for the third time.Chen Ou felt that she couldn't express her helplessness more clearly: "The convention is after the New Year. However, this year's income may drop by more than half. Several major cooperative organizations no longer renew their contracts with us, and the Louis Group has provided cheaper substitutes. Drugs use a very ingenious development method—our researcher said that they can definitely plagiarize the research institute’s patents, but drug patent lawsuits are very difficult to win. The Lewis Group has specially raised a huge legal team to deal with similar lawsuits, unless you It’s going to take a lot of effort and money.”

Chen Ou closed his eyes and exhaled slowly.Well, when he was worrying about how long he would live, he also had to worry about how long the institute would last.

***