Page:World Without Men (HT osu.32435053364535).pdf/168

it was made only after many weeks of the most careful computation and research into sociological science."

Cordelia glanced hastily around the frozen circle of her colleagues and was encouraged by the dismay reflected in their expressions. She pointed to the baby. "This is no longer a test embryo, Mistress; it is a live independent human being. To destroy it would be murder."

"Not in law," said the Mistress smoothly. "The Department of Applied Cytology realized a long time ago that special provision would have to be made for experimental embryos undergoing development tests in laboratories. At one time all such living embryos were regraded as individuals—premature humans, in a sense—but obviously such an attitude could only hinder the progress of scientific research; therefore, the law was modified. All experimental embryos of laboratory origin are regarded as expendable test material unless application is made to the Department of Mortic Revnue for recognition of any particular test embryo as a human individual in law."

"Then let us make the application now."

"There would be no point. Mortic policy is determined by world brain computations, and the brain has already given its verdict. The Department of Mortic Revenue could not now give recognition to test four-six-five."

A profound silence blanketed the group. Only the faint remote ticking of the thermostats in the incubators disturbed the noiselessness, as if underlining the significance of the Mistress's words. Incubators, cytological experiments, embryos, expendable material—the jargon of a cold, dispassionate science. For a few moments everyone, it seemed, except the Mistress, was looking at the baby.

"Beware of sentiment, "said the Mistress, her voice controlled and calm. "What you see in the crib in the result of a successful experiment in micro-cytology, the end product of cell division and differentiation. It is a test subject, a specimen. There is no question of human status. Other embryos