In the real world: "Heroes"
(cross-posted from that cookie thing)
Whenever I’m tired and worn out, I watch bad science fiction movies- a practice that I call “rubbernecking“. As the name implies, this involves films that are so horrific that it’s impossible to pull away, no matter how much they seem to defy the known laws of physics.
Currently, I’m watching a show called “Heroes”, which seems to have some funny ideas about genetics. In that vein, I’ve decided to present a few possible scenarios for how that show would play out in the real world.
Scenario 1: Finding the people
Eden: So, what’s this?
Mohinder: Using the human genome project, my father compiled a list of people with a special gene that grants superpowers. I need to call and warn them of the dangers they’ll face! I’m about to call someone totally new from the list. (Dials)
Receptionist: Hello. This is J. Craig Ventner’s office!
Mohinder: What? AGAIN?
Scenario 2: Patient Rights
Agent #1: We understand you’ve been tracking people using records from the human genome project. Is that correct?
Mohinder: Of course! It’s very important that I talk to these-
Agent #2: We’re with the project’s Institutional Review Board. You do understand the meaning of “sealed confidential records”, don’t you?
Mohinder: There’s a killer on the loose! Don’t you think they should be warned?
Agent #1: Yes, and thanks to you, the nation’s top life insurer is now refusing coverage to anyone with this genetic marker. Good work.
Mohinder: That’s- genetic discrimination! Congress should act!
Agent #1: They did. They made murder illegal.
Agent #2: And now we’re going to educate you about patient confidentiality. Old school style. (sound of billy club extending)
Scenario 3: Who are you, anyway?
Matt: I demand you tell me who you people are! Are you a government agency?
Man with glasses: We’re a covert organization. We’re not a part of the legislative branch, or the judicial. And especially not the executive.
Matt: So, like the office of the vi-
Glasses: Great. Now we’ve got to wipe your memory. Again.
Whenever I’m tired and worn out, I watch bad science fiction movies- a practice that I call “rubbernecking“. As the name implies, this involves films that are so horrific that it’s impossible to pull away, no matter how much they seem to defy the known laws of physics.
Currently, I’m watching a show called “Heroes”, which seems to have some funny ideas about genetics. In that vein, I’ve decided to present a few possible scenarios for how that show would play out in the real world.
Scenario 1: Finding the people
Eden: So, what’s this?
Mohinder: Using the human genome project, my father compiled a list of people with a special gene that grants superpowers. I need to call and warn them of the dangers they’ll face! I’m about to call someone totally new from the list. (Dials)
Receptionist: Hello. This is J. Craig Ventner’s office!
Mohinder: What? AGAIN?
Scenario 2: Patient Rights
Agent #1: We understand you’ve been tracking people using records from the human genome project. Is that correct?
Mohinder: Of course! It’s very important that I talk to these-
Agent #2: We’re with the project’s Institutional Review Board. You do understand the meaning of “sealed confidential records”, don’t you?
Mohinder: There’s a killer on the loose! Don’t you think they should be warned?
Agent #1: Yes, and thanks to you, the nation’s top life insurer is now refusing coverage to anyone with this genetic marker. Good work.
Mohinder: That’s- genetic discrimination! Congress should act!
Agent #1: They did. They made murder illegal.
Agent #2: And now we’re going to educate you about patient confidentiality. Old school style. (sound of billy club extending)
Scenario 3: Who are you, anyway?
Matt: I demand you tell me who you people are! Are you a government agency?
Man with glasses: We’re a covert organization. We’re not a part of the legislative branch, or the judicial. And especially not the executive.
Matt: So, like the office of the vi-
Glasses: Great. Now we’ve got to wipe your memory. Again.