In the research institute, Chen Chen had used less than a month to replicate the experiments he did in Shangdu.
Everyone’s eyes were bulging with amazement as they stared at the eight SD rats in the cage. The rats’ fur had regained its luster and they were behaving younger.
If they had not seen it for themselves, who would believe that, a month ago, these were aging rats that were on their last legs?
Of course, regaining youth came with a price. Before the experiment, they had twenty-five rats in total, but only eight survived by the end.
The survival rate was less than one-third.
“Through the CT scan, we can determine that the experimental targets, whether in terms of bone, muscle, hematopoietic function or liver, all show signs of rejuvenation.”
The researchers on the side looked through the resulting data line by line with astonished expressions. “As befitting of the all-round effects of mesenchymal stem cells.”
“It’s just that the survival rate is too low,” someone lamented. “If the survival rate was higher, it’d be perfect.”
“It’s because of the subjects.”
However, Samuel suddenly made a rare refutation. “They were old rats in the first place. Their physical functions had deteriorated to the extreme. Plus, chemotherapy and radiotherapy were not originally meant to be treatments for rats. It’s to be expected that there would be a high fatality rate.”
Throughout this period, as Chen Chen ate and slept with the group of researchers, proving his incredible achievements and talents in the field of biology, he had won over the entire research institute. No one underestimated Chen Chen anymore.
To become a scientific researcher, one would have an arrogant, solitary heart. Perhaps most of them had no talent for business and could only work for companies. Still, this did not mean they were willing to submit to others.
Samuel, for instance, did not think highly of the board of directors at all.
However, Chen Chen was different. With a boss like this whose abilities were more impressive than their own, they were fully appeased.
Therefore, Samuel had a total transformation in his attitude from his disdain at the start to the subsequent skeptical phase to becoming a diehard follower of Chen Chen. All these took only half a month.
“Mr. Samuel is right. The goal of this experiment was never for the rats.”
Chen Chen, who had been silent, suddenly spoke, “So, the next thing to do is to experiment with primates.”
“Are we going too fast?” The researcher who commented before was hesitant. “We’ll be trying a medium-sized mammal next, right? It won’t be easy to get approval or get past WAP…”
WAP was the abbreviation for “World Animal Protection”, a group of humans dedicated to safeguarding the rights and interests of animals.
It would be an exaggeration to say that they had severely obstructed scientific research. Obstacles of development would not hinder development, but it did affect the development of biology.
The 19th-century French physiologist, Claude Bernard, once said, “The science of life is a superb and dazzlingly lit hall which may be reached only by passing through a long and ghastly kitchen.”
Blind sympathy with the weak would not result in moral elevation. The fortress of human civilization was destined to be built upon the bones of countless races.
“We could, but there’s no need for all that.”
Chen Chen considered this for a moment. “Primates are the best choice. Solely based on how similar they are to humans, their survival rate for the chemotherapy would increase by more than fifty percent.
“Furthermore, I’ll discuss this matter with Mr. Wynn first. I think that as long as there’s a suitable political donation, we’ll quickly get approval through his contacts.”
Everyone nodded in a dumbfounded manner.
“Therefore, in the following period, everyone may start their preparations. Next time, our test subjects may be a group of macaques or even chimpanzees.”
Chen Chen said, hitting the desk.
Chimpanzees were very similar to humans. They had as many bones as a human should have. The chemicals in human brains could be found in the brains of chimpanzees too. Even in terms of genes, chimpanzee genes were the closest to humans.
However, a form of popular science on the Internet might claim that the genetic difference between humans and chimpanzees was only 1.2%. 98.8% of their genes were identical.
Although this fact was correct, this statement was a misunderstanding of genes.
After all, if one compared the data, a banana and a human shared a genetic similarity that reached an astounding 60%.
In truth, the genes of two species were like two books written in the same language. One was Journey to the West, the other was Water Margin.
Although the language was the same, the resulting articles, books, and essays were ever-changing.
One would never say that just because two novels used the same words, they were 100% identical. Neither could one claim that if two volumes had 90% of their words in common, then they shared a 90% similarity.
Nonetheless, despite all that, chimpanzees were still the best experimental subjects, other than humans themselves, to test out the effects.
After the experiment had ended, Chen Chen hurried toward the office building.
A few hours later, when Chen Chen was once again leaving in a rush, Wynn walked Chen Chen to the entrance of the office building.
“I knew you must’ve a reason for keeping me around.”
Wynn shook his head with a dry smile. Since he had accepted Chen Chen’s task, it looked like he had no choice but to grow a thick skin and deal with the stinking old politicians.
Just as Chen Chen left the office building, he suddenly received a phone call.
“Hello, are you Mr. Chen Chen from Blackwatch?” It was a female voice on the phone, speaking not in German, but English.
Although her pronunciation was not accurate, her voice was unique. There was a sweet, raspy edge to it. Descriptions like sexy and alluring came to mind.
“Yes, I am. May I ask who you are?”
“My name is Bernadette Lydia, deputy director of Namibia Investment Center,” the voice replied.
“Hello, I’m pleased to make your acquaintance.”
“No, I’m being rude. After all, I was the one who strongly requested to speak with you personally.”
The woman’s voice on the other end sounded apologetic. “I really couldn’t believe it, so please forgive me for double-checking. Are you really going to invest in nuclear power plant projects in our country?”
“I’m sorry. I am ‘actively thinking’ about investing in the nuclear power plants in your country.” Chen Chen pointed out gently.
“Ah! I apologize indeed. I’m being impetuous.”
The woman on the call apologized repeatedly. “In that case, when would you have time to meet? If you’re busy these days, I can go over and meet with you in person.”
“That’s not necessary.”
Chen Chen’s tone was somewhat cold. “First, I’ll send an investigation team to survey the various allied countries of the African Continent. Sometime next year, the investigation will reach your country. We can discuss in detail then.”
“Mr. Chen Chen, in truth, there’s no need for all that.”
The voice sounded rather anxious. “The African Continent is vast indeed, but because of political issues, many countries are plagued by war all year round. There are few countries like ours that have a stable public security and political environment.
“Not only that but our country also has the world’s third largest uranium mine – Husan Uranium Mine. It can be said to have the highest development potential in the African Continent.
“What’s more, the holding company of Husan Uranium Mine is your country’s ‘China General Nuclear Uranium’. Presumably, based on your size, cooperating with businesses from your own continent would be less prone to mishaps, isn’t that so?”
“Are you making the decision for me, Ms. Lydia?” When Chen Chen heard this, he sounded displeased.
“I apologize again, I’m truly sorry… I’m just too impatient.”
There was another round of apologizing from the voice. “I’m really sorry, really…”
“Forget it.”
Chen Chen said, “How about this – contact my company directly. In a few days, I’ll send out a few employees to survey your country. If you can provide sufficient discounts, I’ll consider establishing a project in your country right away.”
“Ah, really? That’s wonderful!”
The voice on the other end was instantly incomparably eager. “I thank you for your gracious generosity. I never thought that I’d meet such a good man like you. I hope you can come soon. I’m even looking forward to that day…”
There seemed to be some undeniable implication in those last words. Said in that drawling, elegant voice, it could even evoke the deepest desires in one’s heart.
However, Chen Chen shuddered involuntarily when he caught the implication.
After all, these were unlicensed dealings…