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The year is 2050 and the world looks different. Due to rising sea levels from climate change, parts of various countries have started to disappear underwater. The political landscape among most countries remains tense as the world holds its breath; watching as more jobs go away due to automated machinery. War, famine, and illness are still present. While science has made many advances it has yet to make its greatest leap to solve the mystery of genetic illnesses. Sure, scientists now understand how these illnesses happen, and have run multiple detailed tests on monkeys, but there is still no clear cut cure.

Due to COVID-19 much of the world's science community’s focus went towards creating a vaccine and working to help people recover from the deadly virus. Thus, a halt was placed on less important projects and funds were slashed. However, this never stopped geneticist Dr. Evelyn Ludecky, who is continuing the legacy of her father’s work.

Dr. Ludecky’s father, the late Dr. Christopher Ludeky, led multiple projects in an attempt to eradicate various genetic illnesses, and during the process he discovered these... anomalies. Anomalies that were people whose genetic code when read out stated that they should be suffering from a horrific illness, but when looking at them they presented themselves as perfectly healthy. With his colleagues, the late doctor went on to dub these individuals as, “Genetic Superheros.” However, the blood tests provided were all anonymous, so the scientists were forced to continue their search for additional GS’s in other ways.

With the backing of multiple prominent figures hidden within the CDC, WHO, & NIH small blood samples of babies born towards the end of the 1990s began to be collected. This was a rapid movement that gained significant traction in North America and has continued to this day. Due to the questionable ethics of this project many scientists that collected the samples and believed in this movement had been forced to stay silent. That was until President Daniel Howard was elected to office in 2008. Prior to his election the self proclaimed, “middle of the road,” president had found out that his 2 year old son was diagnosed with a deadly genetic disorder, Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. His son’s anticipated life expectancy suddenly dropped to just a mere 21 years of age.

Outraged by the lack of research on genetic disorders and a chance meeting with the late Dr. Ludecky, the president agreed to assist the doctor with his search for GS’s. In privacy, behind closed doors, President Howard signed a document stating that blood taken from every newborn in the United States would be tested to see if they are a GS and uploaded onto a massive database within The Pentagon. The signing of this document made obtaining and testing the blood samples legal.

Now, almost five decades since that agreement was signed, someone among Evelyn’s team can no longer stay silent about what is going on. What they are about to release will alter the course of history forever and dub themselves as ‘The Siren.’

Recommend reading this NPR article that discusses Genetic Superheros for additional context.

The Aftermath

GENETIC SUPERHEROS

In the days following the information from 'The Siren,' all GS's you will receive government issued paperwork informing them of their genetic illness and apologizing for how the information was released. The letter will provide an invitation to meet with Dr. Eveyln Ludeky and her team in Washington DC on November 1, 2050. The last part of the letter states, “Our top priority is to help you understand the information that was released, and to help you to come to an informed decision on whether or not you wish to work with us. Please know that everything you decide to do with us is completely voluntary.” As compensation for what has happened Dr. Ludeky’s team will pay for your hotel room in DC along with your flight. It is up to you to decide if you wish to learn more about being a GS or if you wish to heed the warnings from 'The Siren."

If you decide to go to Washington, D.C., Dr. Ludeky's team will pay for you stay at The Hay Adams hotel where multiple prominent politicians have also stayed. At 2:00 in the afternoon on November 1st taxies will take 4 people at a time to the nearby conference center at the WHO for you to meet the Doctor and her team. Dr. Ludecky will begin the presentation at 3:30 and it is expected to go until 5:00 in the evening.

GOVERNMENT PERSONNEL

In the hours after the information is released by 'The Siren' you will be asked to come to Washington DC in the following few days to meet with Dr. Ludeky for damage control. Due to the sensitivity of the information provided to the USA, Dr Ludeky adds in her message, "I know one of you is behind 'The Siren' and don't think for that one moment I won't find out who you are." If you wish to be 'The Siren' please inform Astro-911.

In Washington D.C. you will also be staying at The Hay Adams hotel but away from the GS's. On November 1st you will be meeting with Dr. Ludecky at noon to get everything in order for the presentation scheduled at 3:30 in the WHO conference room. All questions, comments, and concerns will be deferred to the Doctor. You are also expected to get yourself to the conference center on time.

Profiles

Once you have completed the layout for your GS character please PM them to Astro-911 for review and upload on the Character Thread.


Unsure of what genetic diseases are out there? No worries! A list has been created of genetic illnesses. However, it is important to note that certain genetic illnesses affect certain populations and genders more than others. It is also recommend that you visit this link.This is the NIH’s Genetics Home Reference page. Please feel free to use other genetic illnesses that are not on this list. For variety I will strike out each genetic illness on this list as they are selected.

•* Cystic Fibrosis
•* Huntington’s Disease
•* Hemophilia A
•* Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (primarily affects males)
•* Muscular Dystrophy Congenital Type 1A
•* Leukoencephalopathy with Vanishing White Matter
•* Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis or ALS (only an estimated 5 to 10 percent is genetic)
•* Rett Syndrome (primarily affects females)
•* Pompe Disease
•* Chronic Granulomatous Disease
•* Fatal Familial Insomnia
•* Tay-Sachs Disease (primarily seen in the Ashkenazi Jewish population)
•* Progeria
•* Acute Intermittent Progeria
•* Sickle Cell Anemia (primarily seen in African Americans)
•* Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome
•* San-Fillipo Syndrome
•* Diamond-Blackfin Anemia
•* Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency
•* Epidermolysis Bullosa
•* Spinocerebellar Ataxia
•* Early Infantile Epileptic Encephalopathy
•* Proteus Syndrome
•* Giant Axonal Neuropathy
•* Fragile X Syndrome (primarily seen in males)
•* Harlequin Ichthyosis
•* Hermansky-Pudlak Syndrome
•* Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva
•* Friedriech's Ataxia

Once you have completed the layout for your government employee please PM them to Astro-911 for review and upload on the Character Thread. Government employees can be scientists, intelligence officers, military workers, data analysts, etc.

Rules

RESERVED

RESERVED

08/18/20 Open & Accepting