Free CODE X:Episode 1 by M.R. Vallone Page B

to reproduce exactly like the original cell at life’s
beginning. A baby begins to form from a single cell. That cell
keeps dividing, growing double in size, forming body parts, until
it’s born.”
    She looks puzzled, “You mean a code gives
instructions to make that baby half of each parent, not the mom and
dad?”
    Vicki tries to explain. “Well, something
nature or God put in all humans at the beginning of life; that when
they start to grow into a baby, reproducing from a single cell,
instructions are sent out to form the parts of that life. It’s the
primer code that sends the orders to the rest of the genes for
arms, legs, everything, in a special sequence at the
beginning.”
    Candy tries to clear up her confusion. “What
about the human genes already known and mapped out by the Human
Genome Project? How are we able to clone animals?”
    Vicki shakes her head no. “That’s not the
same. The best way to answer your question; when we clone today, we
are putting a duplicate identical cell of another animal inside an
egg. That egg has no information in it because the nucleus or other
animal’s information has been replaced. When they cloned Dolly the
sheep many years ago, they discovered her telomeres were shorter,
actually the same length as the donor six year old sheep. Telomeres
are pieces of DNA that protect the chromosomes, like the plastic
tips on shoelaces.”
    Candy steps forward, and hurries to explain
her lack of understanding. “We weren’t taught the details of in
depth cloning medical procedures in school. Our training
concentrated on basics and equipment usage. They told us we would
have had to go to med-school to learn about all the different
methods used. Our instructors said the doctors would teach us their
cloning procedures. I never learned that telomeres worked
differently in cloning or caused problems.”
    Vicki pats her on the shoulder and
continues, “I understand, it can be real complicated. Don’t worry
about it. I don’t mind explaining it to you. When telomeres get too
short, old age takes over. The body can no longer repair itself.
That’s why old people’s bodies break down. Their cells are too old
and get replaced by older cells each time.”
    “You’re getting me a little mixed up. But
they are called clones, aren’t they?”
    Vicki nods and points at her because her
analysis is spot on correct. “Yes, they are identical to their
clone, the person who donated their DNA. But, the cells are older.
It would be like a human baby would look one year old, but the age
of the cells would be 40 years old if it came from a 40 year old
person trying to clone itself. The cloned people are easy targets
for disease because their death clocks are shorter, that’s a fact.
True clones are babies born as identical twins. Their egg splits
into two identical people.”
    Candy shakes her head in bewilderment. “I
was pretty good in school, but now you have me confused. You say
you are looking for the unknown?”
    Vicki emphatically shakes her head yes.
“That is the needle in a haystack. I just don’t know where the
haystack is located. You said unknown Candy. That’s a good name for
finding something nobody else even knows to exist; let’s name it
Code X. From now on we’re looking for Code X. If it occurs and I
can find it, the super computers can print out the DNA blueprint in
a few days.”
    “Wow! Dr. Collins, it’s so cool to work with
you.”
    Vicki puts her arm around Candy, “No, you’re
working with me made me try to solve puzzles again. We’re going to
make a great team.”

Chapter 27
    Vicki is waiting
outside Dr. Landau’s office. Henry opens the door and announces,
“Dr. Collins, Dr. Landau is ready for you now.”
    She enters, “Thanks Henry.” She takes the
single chair in front of Landau.
    Landau swivels around front in his chair
from the aquarium. “Welcome Dr. Collins, how is your project coming
along?”
    “That’s why I wanted to meet with you. I’ve
got