New Orbit Magazine Online: Issue 03, June 2018

“Yes, but 29% is on the cusp, isn’t it? She’ll
be a sitter for late-onset diabetes and possible
kidney disease.” Uncle Jayden is a realist.
Sometimes his pragmatism irritates the hell
out of Joy. She places a hand on her still-flat
tummy, inhales sharply. “Yes, but it’s only a
susceptibility Uncle Jayden. It isn’t a given.
Turn it around and it reads as if she has a
71% chance of not being obese. And don’t
forget a good environment counts, too.
Surely, if we just monitor her nutrition?
Ensure she makes only healthy food choices.
It’s what any responsible parents would do.
Isn’t that right? Chance?? Her husband gives
her a reassuring pat.
“Joy, we can’t afford it. We’ve talked about
this.”
“But April could pay for it. She has her entire
life head of her.”
Jayden shakes his head. “Do you really think
it’s fair to start a kid off with that level of genetic
mortgage? Hell, a loan like that could end up
being more crippling than the disease, the
interest they charge. Anyway, it doesn’t solve
the long-term problem does it? Because even if
your daughter doesn’t get the cancer, your
granddaughter will.”
“Yes, you’re right. We can. Absolutely.”
Joy relaxes a little. Just a few parameters
remain. Psoriasis. None. Leukaemia. No.
Spondylosis. No. They come to the last
parameter. Chance highlights the line. Joy
holds her breath, reads it.
Breast cancer, 86% susceptibility.
No! Joy feels her heart keen in her chest, a
sharp surging swelling of pain. The others are
looking at her, waiting on her reaction. Wary.
“Well, so what?” she blurts. “So our baby will
undergo somatic gene manipulation after she’s
born. It’s not an enhancement. It’s not like
we’d be creating a superhuman. We’d simply be
correcting a disorder. It wouldn’t be any
different to getting her orthodontic treatment.
She’ll qualify under the state system. I know she
will.”
“But honey, how could you possibly hope to
pay for it?” Kayla asks, but not unkindly.
“We’ll find the money.”
“Jayden,” Kayla throws her husband a look
that says “not now.” “Actually, your know what
sweetheart, your Uncle Jayden and I had better
get going. I’m expecting a call from your cousin
in Thailand. Thank you for dinner. The trifle
was delicious. Jayden, we’re going.”
Uncle Jayden looks as if he might say
something, but Kayla pulls him away. They
collect up their coats and slip out the front
door.
Chance slumps heavily into the sofa beside
his wife.
“Our baby will have breast cancer. There’s
nothing we can do.”
“I don’t believe it.”
“Look, sweetheart…”