STORYLINE

IndiMed Medical Monitoring Program Enters Second Phase In Maui

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Reparre Biologic says that a next-generation medical monitoring program is wrapping up its preliminary trial in Maui, and the company plans to expand the program. For the past 6 months, 54 subjects have worn the IndiMed device to help monitor their health and track any changes. Engineered by Lahaina’s own resident inventor Ano Lee, the device is designed to offer wearers 24/7 medical monitoring, and physicians accurate individual patient information on demand. Reparre says the next phase of the study will focus on integrating more individualized medicine and will expand to over 300 individuals across the island.

The Individual Medical Assistant (IndiMed) was born from a previous Reparre telemedicine program. Back in the Fall of 2045, Ano Lee found himself with a fever that wouldn’t break and intense headaches. He was diagnosed with a rare condition called Leptospirosis, or Weil’s disease. Left untreated the bacterial infection can lead to organ failure, severe internal bleeding, and death. Because of the rareness of the condition and his location, Lee was asked about becoming part of the telemedicine project by Reparre Biologic and The West Maui Medical Group. “I can’t tell you how many hours I had to spend staring at the injectable med unit on the wall. In the end, the antibiotics and tailored stem cells worked, and I didn’t spread the infection to anyone else. The program was a success, but I just couldn’t get it out of my head that there had to be a better way to monitor patients. Then, I remembered the Weather Watchers I made for some surfer friends a few years ago. I talked to Reparre about my idea, and we started designing a week later.”

The Weather Watcher was a wrist band designed to warn the wearer of potentially dangerous weather or ocean conditions like: thunderstorms, severe tides, strong undertows, or even jellyfish swarms. “Dozens of people die while swimming or snorkeling around Maui every year, but for some reason the alert bands never really took off like I thought they would. However, I thought with a few tweaks and additions it would be perfect for what Reparre and I had in mind.”

“Using the Weather Watcher platform, the IndiMed program offers patients cutting edge medical monitoring and allows physicians to fully utilize our custom stem cell medicine and our personalized DNA technology,” says Reparre Biologic President Shawn Hastings. “The device not only provides continuous up-to-the-second monitoring and patient information, it also runs a series of tests every hour to provide the best diagnostic information available and alert the wearer of any significant changes. We are thrilled with the results so far and the feedback has been so good that we plan on starting the second phase early, and expanding the program across the island.”

While Hastings is quick to point out the program’s success, it has not been without a few hiccups. There were many complaints initially about the old incorporated alert system malfunctioning. Several subjects complained that the alert shock feature was too strong, with one patient complaining, “Every time a warm front would come in, or the tide was really high, it was like being hooked up to a car battery. Then an alert would go out that I had been electrocuted and paramedics would arrive. It took weeks to straighten out.” Others complained that the automated assistant voice had no privacy setting and would relay potentially embarrassing information in public. “I understand that the IndiMed monitors any change in my health very closely, but I really didn’t appreciate it alerting everyone in line at the store that my temperature had increased slightly, and my urinary tract infection might be getting worse,” wrote another.

Hastings says that these, and other early issues, have been worked out and he is excited about the program’s future, including possible integration with Nuuskin techology. “We announced our partnership with Nuuskin this Spring and unveiled our Tailored Cellular Optimization (TCO) process. While TCO is for animals only, it offers a glimpse as to what might be possible for human treatments in the future. With this state-of-the-art monitoring and record system in place, the possibilities seem wide open. I can foresee a time when stem cell therapies can be precisely directed to damaged areas, and automated procedures could happen on demand. The second phase of the IndiMed program might be the beginning of a medical revolution!”

STORYLINE

Reparre Biologic and Newuskin Announce Partnership

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Reparre Biologic and Newuskin turned the biotech industry on its ear today by announcing a new partnership. Long-time rivals, the Vereserum subsidiary and the medical tech company announced a number of new initiatives and unveiled the fruits of a secret 5-year project; a panther chameleon named Merlin. Known for their vibrant patterns and rapid color-changing ability, panther chameleons are the true masters of camouflage among reptiles. The companies demonstrated the lizard’s increased color pallet and almost instantaneous changing ability, but it was Merlin’s age that was the big story of the day. Panther chameleons have an extremely short lifespan, living only a year on average. Merlin is over 6-years-old.

They are calling the process “Tailored Cellular Optimization” (TCO) and they say it will revolutionizing everything about caring for your pet and the farming industry. Animal husbandry and breeding programs are a big business. Cattle farming alone generated over $100 billion last year in the U.S. and that number is supposed to rise 3.5% this year. Reparre’s President Shawn Hastings says that the process will quickly change the industry in a profound way.

“Selective breeding is as much an art as a science. For thousands of years we’ve been judging stock by eye. Only recently have we been able to actually look at genes of champion lines but that technology is still a blunt instrument. One of the biggest problems was preserving characteristics through lines and limiting genetic drift. TCO takes away that problem. Not only can we quickly maximize the already good genetics of a champion bull for example, but we can greatly extend that bull’s life. Extending the lifespan of champion stock would be a big boon to the industry and help reduce the environmental impact of animal agriculture. It’s not just farming either. Most race horses retire before they are 10. Imagine how valuable a champion would be after racing 40-50 years.”

Details of the TCO process were scant and the companies are remaining tight-lipped about the specifics. Newuskin spokeswoman Yvonne Masters says that you don’t have to be a farmer to make use of the new technology. She announced that a pilot pet program was being launched at the Kokua Pet Rejuvenation Center and Spaw.

“TCO is the ultimate way to pamper you pet. You can still get the pet services you’ve come to expect from the center including: shed resistant hair, iridescent and bioluminescent fur upgrades, and pest repellent skin.Those procedures have just been optimized with the addition of Reparre’s tailored DNA technology. Instead of using a generic breed model as a baseline, we can use specific cells from your furry friends, making each procedure truly unique. Losing a pet can be a very traumatic experience and being forced to watch a trusted companion grow old can be very off-putting. Thanks to our new TCO process there is no reason your 4-legged loved one can always be by your side. Dog owners can expect at least 60-year lifespans with regular treatments.”

Not everyone shares Ms. Masters enthusiasm about the procedure, however. Sebastian Malu, founder of The Eternal Cycle Church, and long-time Newuskin critic says the new procedure is an affront to the Universe itself.

“You don’t have to be a diviner to see where this is going to lead. First people are going to deny the Universe of the vibrational energy that these pets passing would provide, and keep them from reaching a higher state. Before long they are going to try the same with people. The Universe already has a perfect rule book written in our bodies by the creator. Believing that we can rewrite portions of that book to suit our needs is the height of narcissism and sure to bring about serious repercussions. People are meant to learn their life lessons and complete their journeys within a set timeframe before beginning their journeys again. We are not equipped to significantly extend our explorations in this realm.”

Despite Malu’s cryptic concerns, the companies say they have no plans to offer TCO treatments to people. “We’re a long way from doing human trials, and frankly anytime you start working on ways to produce genetically perfect humans you start getting into some really precarious territory. I think we have enough on our plates with our current goals,” says Hastings.

Still, considering the amount of time and money spent on youth and health procedures globally, one wonders how long we will be content to only let animals drink from this technological fountain of youth. The Kokua Pet Rejuvenation Center is set to begin the new TCO treatments next month and the waitlist is sure to be long. Masters suggests that people interested in the new procedure sign their pets up for the pre-screening process now.

STORYLINE

Ban on Popular Reparre Treatment Dashes the Dreams of Olympic Hopefuls

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Today, in conjunction with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA), The International Olympic Committee announced that they would be adding synthetic stem cells to the list of banned substances. A popular treatment for sports related injuries devised by Reparre Biologic, the decision effectively sidelines a number of athletes who had planned on competing in Manila in July, including Lahaina diving sensation Charlie Kiha. Since these types of cells can show up in tests for up to 6 years, the ruling has long lasting implications to anyone who has undergone such treatments in the past.

The push to regulate the technology is not new. Many sporting organizations already have rules regarding the number of treatments a competitor can receive during a game or match, and restrictions on what types of injuries can be treated with Reparre’s synthetic stem cells and tailored DNA medicine. However, the Olympic Committee’s decision to completely ban the treatment represents the strictest control of synthetic stem cells by any organization, and is being called unfair by many impacted.

“I already sent tickets to my aunties, and my tutu. A few of them have never been off island before. Its their disappointment that hurts the most,” says Kiha. A gold medal winner in diving at last year’s Pan American games, Kiha was an early medal favorite this year, but it appears an old treatment for a neck injury will now sideline the Olympic hopeful. “I’ve been pretty lucky in my career, and haven’t had any major injuries until last year. I hurt my neck cliff diving while I was home, and didn’t know if I’d be able to compete this year, until I had the stem cell treatment. It was amazing! In less than 24 hours I had full range of motion and the pain relief was immediate, but I guess it was too good to be true. I can understand wanting to level the playing field, but I don’t understand flagging people who had the treatment before it was banned. They’re keeping people like me, who’ve done nothing wrong, out of Olympic competition for as long as 6 years. It doesn’t seem right.”

Shawn Hastings, President of Reparre Biologic, agrees with the diver’s assessment and says he was, “blindsided by the committee’s ruling.” Hastings says there is no evidence that Reparre’s medical technology provides athletes a performance edge.

“Our synthetic cells don’t physically work any differently than any other stem cell therapy. Our personalized DNA medicine is visually indistinguishable from traditional treatments. In fact, the only way to tell the two apart is through a specialized chemical test. The difference is in the time it takes for our treatments to work, nothing else. Our synthetic stem cells, calibrated with a sample of a patient’s DNA, have a much higher rate of mitosis than traditional stem cells. Minor injuries can be fixed almost immediately, and recovery from major trauma can be days instead of weeks. There’s no doubt that our medicine has saved the careers of numerous athletes, but it has not created them. Synthetic stem cells have been around for over 30 years, and records have not been broken at an exponentially higher rate during that time. Again, our technology provides a faster and more comfortable recovery from injuries, that’s it. There is no evidence to suggest it creates bigger, stronger, or faster athletes. We are very disappointed in today’s ruling.”

Despite Mr. Hastings assurances, the committee says that the synthetic Reparre stem cells can lead to higher durability, flexibility, and endurance in competitors, and can be detected in the system for years after a treatment. They stand by their classification, and say they expect other organizations to take a similar stance in the near future. Bob Abramo, President of Medimeat, a medical supply company that specializes in “free-range, 100% organic valves, cells, and tissues,” applauds the decision.

“At Medimeat we believe that if you wouldn’t eat it, you shouldn’t have it inside you. Who knows what long term damage Reparre’s fake stem cells will do. In one breath they say their cells are perfectly safe and natural, and in the next they show them dividing like a super-charged cancer. How can that not have an effect on performance? Look, athletic competition should be about exploring the limits of flesh and blood, not chemicals and synthetic cells. Think about it, is that block of imitation krab meat better than a deliciously grilled claw? Has anyone tasted a perfectly rendered duck breast, with slightly crispy skin, and thought I’d rather have a glob of tofu-duck? Of course not! If you wouldn’t accept cheap imitation for dinner, why would you accept it in your medicine? Our stem cells are carefully and lovingly harvested from 100% natural sources. We take our time, like you would with a good stew, to provide our customers with the finest medical tissues available. If you want some questionable product, at microwave speed, that’s the other guys who just got banned from the Olympics.”

STORYLINE

Popular “Smart Drug” To Come With Warning After Reports of Injuries

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Reparre Biologic has announced that they will start including a strong warning with their nootropic medication, “Precisionoll”. The drug has become wildly popular with young adults as a study and focus aid, but the medication’s ability to boost hand-eye coordination has led to a number of troubling incidents. Dozens have been seriously injured while trying to perform stunts on the drug, and health and safety advocates say that the withdrawal effects can be dangerous. President Shawn Hastings says Precisionoll is safe to use as directed, and helps millions who have trouble focusing every day.

The quest for a magic pill that will make you smarter, and more productive is not new. Decades ago drugs like Ritalin and Adderall gained popularity among college students and young professionals, and microdosing LSD became popular in California’s Silicon Valley. While the names may have changed, the public’s desire for them hasn’t. Prescriptions for nootropic drugs has risen 36% in the past 5 years, with 6.4 million people filling a bottle of Precisionoll alone in 2045. However, Hastings says that times, and medicine have changed. “We’re not talking about people hopped up on amphetamines, or coders pretending to be hippies, we are talking about specifically, and carefully tailored medicine,” he says.

“Pecisionoll helps the brain more efficiently process information. We have known for years that the subconscious mind can process many times more information than the conscious mind, and at vastly faster speeds. Precisionoll allows you better access to those “fast lanes” in your brain, and it literally enhances your eye’s focus. Many patients find that they no longer need corrective eyewear within weeks of taking Precisionoll. This is a new medicine for a new age. It is unfortunate that some have decided to use it in an irresponsible way. We hope these new warnings will deter the public from using this, and any medication, in a manner and purpose for which it was not prescribed.”

Many see this measure as too little too late, and not just medical professionals. Owner of the popular Hula Noodle eatery, “Uncle” Ralph Umeke says he’s seen the effects of Precisionoll first hand. “I get tourists juggling in here with those beady little eyes you get when you’re on that stuff. Sometimes the place looks like circus. Last week I was throwing a guy out for complaining that his noodles where slightly different widths, when I caught some morons outside tossing silverware in a bowl all the way across the patio. But that’s not the worst of it. My dart league was cancelled because of all the fights and accusations that broke out, and my ulu maika club is talking about drug testing. I don’t know what the world is coming too when your can’t even trust a bruddah bowler. Just look at all the people doing William Tell routines on Glimpsea and YouTube. It’s no wonder you read about so many getting head injuries.”

Medical Director of the Lahaina Children’s Hospital Dr. Dalia Forsythe echoes Uncle Ralph’s concerns. She says that the hospital has seen an 85% increase in injuries resulting from Precisionoll. “I just had a case involving a young man with a knife sticking out of his ear. He and his friends decided it was a good idea to take some Precisionoll and throw knives at each other to see who could get the closest. If that knife had been one inch to the left…… Reparre and the public need to ask themselves if the benefits of Precisionoll is worth a potential death.”

Lahaina’s Randy Wilcox is one of the most vocal of Precisionoll’s advocates, and his answer to Forsythe’s question is, “Hell yes it is!” Randy says the drug is vital to his popular backyard wrestling program.

“The public has always been hungry for danger, and right now, they want that danger thrown. Luckily, it turned out that like myself, all my wrestlers suffered from blurry vision when they were really tired, so we all got a prescription. The show has never been better! We’re incorporating a bit of native flair to the props now. Every night we’re tossing Ihe spears at each other off the top turnbuckles, and chucking koa throwing axes during entrances. The crowd loves it, and we’ve had very few accidents so far. I wouldn’t feel safe if we weren’t all on Precisionoll. We’d probably still do it because just missing your friend’s head with a throwing axe is about as intense as it gets, but I’d be way less confident about not hitting Gary. I understand some of the concern. That’s why we tell all the kids at the show that they should never throw anything at someone until they’re sure they can miss.”

STORYLINE

First Phase of Next-Generation Telemedicine Trial Nears Completion

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Imagine a time when most of your medical issues can be treated from the comfort of your own home rather than going to the hospital. For many patients it would be a dream come true. Studies have shown that people recovering in a familiar and comfortable environment, like their homes, have much better outcomes and recover up to 20% faster. Hospitals would benefit as well. It would open up beds for the most seriously ill patients and provide an effective way to isolate those with infections or communicable diseases. It has been estimated that over 800,000 people die every year in hospitals after developing infections. Now, thanks to an advanced telemedicine project by Reparre Biologic and The West Maui Medical Group, that time may be right around the corner.

The roots of telemedicine took hold in Australia in the early 1900s. People living in the remote locations of the outback developed an emergency system for communicating with the Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia using a two-way radio system and a dynamo driven by bike pedals. Almost 90 years later an interactive system was designed to diagnose and treat patients who needed cardiac resuscitation. The field expanded into a few additional areas over the next 40 years but was mostly relegated to consultations, remote monitoring, and diagnostic services. Actually treating patients or performing procedures remotely was a rarity, and that was something Shawn Hastings, President of Reparre Biologic, wanted to change.

A total of 80 Maui residents participated in the first phase of Reparre’s telemedicine project. The program uses the ubiquitous ceremplant to allow nurses and hospitalists to monitor patients, helping to catch problems earlier and prevent potential crises. Twice a day physicians specialized in intensive care, take part in virtual rounds where they can ask questions and order new or different treatments. Those orders are then relayed to a specialized Reparre injectable medicine unit which is located in a patient’s home.

“We’re taking Telemedicine to the next level,” says Hastings.

“Of course this opens the door of possibility when it comes to treating people in remote locations but we’re trying to expand the idea to make it an everyday part of life. Our hope is that one day soon, with the help of this monitoring system, a board certified physician, and our personalized DNA medicine, hospitals will be reserved for the critically ill and those undergoing major surgery. Everything else will be treated safely and efficiently, with one of our injectable medicine units from the comfort of your own home. The first phase of our study is just wrapping up and everything is looking promising. We’ve seen a huge decline in secondary infections and other complications. In addition, recovery times have decreased greatly for those in the program and their overall satisfaction with their care is quite high. If the preliminary data holds true, we plan on expanding the program during phase II to the big island and will include a handful of remote and automated outpatient procedures at participating West Maui Medical Group facilities here.”

The second phase of the program would provide simple outpatient services for Maui residents such as: implantation of robotic stents that would help keep major vessels clear of plaque and obstructions, minor orthopedic surgeries, biopsies, and various endoscopy procedures. Hastings’ goal is to make most medical procedures as simple as making a bag of popcorn. He says a happy patient is a healthy patient.

Local inventor and engineer Ano Lee was one of the subjects who participated in the first trial and he couldn’t be happier. Lee developed a life threatening infection called Leptospirosis and let it go untreated until it was almost too late. “I just thought I’d been spending too much time in the hookah barn until I started to cough up blood,” he says. Usually passed on by rodents in developing areas, in recent years a number of people have contracted the disease in Hawaii from pigs contaminating water supplies. If left untreated the infection can cause bleeding in the lungs, meningitis, or kidney failure. In the past, cases as advanced as Lee’s would be deadly even if diagnosed, with a death rate greater than 50% with antibiotic treatment.

“I really dodged a bullet. They told me that Reparre’s stem-cell-therapy in conjunction with heavy antibiotics improved my chances of survival quite a bit, but there was still a chance that I wouldn’t pull through. Going through something like that makes a person think about what’s really important in life. I remember spending hours staring at the injectable med unit on the wall, wondering if I was going to make it and I knew what I had to do. Between treatments I went out to the printer shed and built a housing for the unit and added a film screen so I could use it like a digital picture frame. I added a multicolored LED border with 12 preset light patterns that would accentuate any image or match whatever mood I was in. I spent the rest of my recovery sitting in my favorite chair, in my favorite place, looking at my favorite memories highlighted with various color patterns. I don’t think that I could have gotten better care at the hospital. I know they wouldn’t have let me bring my light-frame. I owe my life to the program and would recommend it to anyone.”

STORYLINE

Reparre Biologic’s President Shawn Hastings Answers Your Questions

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A few weeks ago you had a chance to ask Shawn Hastings, President of Reparre Biologic, about the future of stem-cell therapy and personalized DNA medicine. Reparre has been in the news recently after they unveiled their prototype next-generation medical equipment. Their portable medical station and handheld injectors have huge implications for people in remote areas and the future of battlefield medicine. Below you’ll find his answers to your questions.

TerryH writes:How is the technology in the portable station different from the handheld injectors?

Shawn: The portable med station and the injectors work using the same technology. Both use our patented, personalized stem cells to address a wide variety of ailments. The real difference between the two is the number of patients and number of uses that each can treat. The injectors are for single use on one unique patient. After a small amount of blood is extracted the injector’s internal systems analyze the specific patient DNA and create a tailored therapy for that individual. Once the injector has been used up it can’t be refilled. They have been designed for emergency use. The portable stations work the same way but have multiple lines for multiple patients and can be used many times before needing to be recharged.

Burgerthyme writes:How long have you been testing these things on people? How long did the animal trials last?

Shawn: All of our devices are tested in ASTM & ISO accredited labs following all the rules and regulations under FDA oversight. It’s a long process. We started FDA supervised trials 5 years ago. Believe it or not that isn’t that long for a medical device. In fact we’ve been fast-tracked through much of the process because the regulators recognize how big of a step forward this technology is. We’re not completely through the process yet, but everything points to the final trials being over soon without any negative effects noted so far.

Pocketcommander writes:Does it concern you at all that your portable med station looks like a hookah? What would you say to children who think it looks cool and ruin their lives with drugs because of your poor design choices?

Shawn: To be honest we’ve focused more on function than the looks of our devices. It’s also missing a bowl so I’m not sure how accurate the comparison is. No, it doesn’t bother us at all. What would I say to the kids? I guess, stay in school so you don’t end up like Pocketcommander.

Brownbetty writes:Could this technology be used to bring back extinct animals like a mammoth or a rhinoceros?

Shawn: While I’m sure this technology would be able to heal injuries in these animals if you discovered a live one, without a way to gestate a baby it wouldn’t work. We’re in the medical business not the bringing back dinosaurs for an amusement park business. Besides, that plan never worked out well in those movies. It’s an interesting thought experiment though.

Howardthegoose writes:I’ve read about this technology being used to get rid of wrinkles and grey hair. Will getting medical help with one of your units also make you look younger?

Shawn: Yes, one of the more interesting side effects noted in our press release is this outward “rejuvenation” process. Preliminary tests show that this youth process might also extend to other tissue types and body systems but it’s too early to say for sure. But yes, subjects have found that lines, wrinkles, and fading hair color have all been reversed after being treated by our technology. It’s not a side effect that any of us had anticipated but it’s turned into a great problem to have.

Knighttime writes:What conditions can be fixed/healed with this technology? Can it fix things like heavy metal poisoning?

Shawn: The devices can be used to fix a wide variety of ailments from cuts and scrapes to damaged organs and bones. In addition, the technology allows the body to fight off diseases and cleanse itself of toxins at a rapid rate. In addition, as I’ve noted above it appears that there might also be effects on the aging process. I’m not saying that we’ve created the Fountain of Youth, but the implications are exciting. We also haven’t studied how effective the treatment would be for long-term ailments, like lead poisoning over a course of years. For recent exposures it appears to be very effective.

Grabbage writes:In addition to fixing bones and healing gashes, I’ve read that there is a possibility that new limbs or digits could be regrown using this technology. Is that true and does that extend to genitals? If so, could those missing genitals be grown back bigger? Asking for a friend.

Shawn: Thanks for your question Grabbage. It is true that we’ve had some early success with regenerating parts of fingers and toes, but a whole arm is still a bridge too far. I’m unaware of any specific study we’ve done on growing bigger penises, and I’m the guy who would know. The best advice I’d have for you, I mean your friend, is to work with what you have. Besides, I hear size isn’t important. I don’t personally hear that. I’ve just heard it said.

Braddick writes:How many people can be treated at a time with the med station? Could you theoretically make a huge one to treat hundreds at a time?

Shawn: Our current model can treat up to 6 patients at a time. Assuming the trials continue to go well we have plans to make units able to treat twice that amount. Our modeling shows that anything bigger starts to reduce the efficacy and efficiency of the device. Just think of how tangled the cords get behind your entertainment center. Now imagine that there are a hundred of them and each is treating a life threatening ailment. We feel strongly that smaller and simpler is better in this case.

Worktime writes:How long before this kind of technology gets cheap enough that your average local hospital has one of these?

Shawn: It’s going to be a while before you’re going to find one of our devices in a local med-center. I can’t see a practical use for our injectors right now other than a military one. Loading up emergency service crews with them isn’t going to be economically feasible. I imagine we are still 5-10 years out before a high end facility installs one. Once we’ve refined our manufacturing process and the public sees how fast and effective this technology is…..I can’t imagine that any health care facility wouldn’t have one in the near future.

BridgetT writes:Why have you accepted funding from Veilcorp? Is it true that all of your chemicals are provided by a subsidiary? Does their long history of political and environmental abuses concern you?

Shawn:
We’ve accepted funding from a number of sources, including Veilcorp. Frankly, I think you’d be hard pressed to find a new venture, especially one involving technology, that hasn’t taken some money from the company. Veilcorp is huge and a force in driving innovation. Do I agree with everything Oeming and company do? Of course not, but our experience to date has been nothing but positive. So far I’ve gotten the impression that their negative press is mostly due to their size and not any bad intentions.

Lancalittle writes:This seems like a giant step forward that could help billions ultimately. Why did you choose to involve the military and not seek out more altruistic funding avenues.

Shawn: In a perfect world man’s better nature would push innovation but we don’t live in a perfect world. To be clear I think the military is getting unfair attention in this regard. Our technology in no way hurts, maims, or kills anyone. In fact it does the opposite. If the military wants to come up with a way to heal the flesh and mend the bones of the brave men and women who give selflessly to their country so that they can live happy and productive lives; I think it’s great. I honestly don’t understand why so many people, especially in the media, want to put a negative spin on things. I guess it gets eyeballs, but I think the military should be lauded for their vision in helping to fund research in this area.

Turk writes:Taking into account how many this could help, have you considered just giving the technology away once you’ve recouped your funding? I’d imagine you’d go down in history.

Shawn: With all due respect, I’m sure we’ve already cemented our place in history. Our technology is amazing and will change the world. In the near future there will be no disease, wound, or pathology that can’t be effectively treated thanks to our breakthrough. Like I noted above we live in the real world, not an ideal one. We are a corporation not a charity. We have a fiduciary responsibility to our stockholders. Having said that, we are at the beginning of the change our technology will spur in mankind. I have every confidence that this science will lead to a better world for all.

STORYLINE

How a Tool Designed To Help Those Suffering From Brain Injury Became a Popular Dating App

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Alex James is something of a contradiction. He’s one of the hottest names in the valley with headhunters calling daily with offers that he generally ignores. He still lives with his parents although on paper he’s one of the most successful men around. His app “Emotional Compass,” EC as it’s better known, has become the hottest program available for use with Ceremplants. An estimated 70% of all users having downloaded the program, with most admitting to use it to find a date at least once. A dream come true for most tech professionals, but not for Alex. In fact, he wishes most of those users would stop.

Alex built his Ceremplant app to help those with certain medical conditions, which may seem strange to some, but Alex is quick to point out that the ubiquitous implant has its origins in the medical field. He says,

“People forget that these devices were intended to help those with cortical visual impairments (CVI). Vereserum unveiled the small injectable chips back in 2025, and had such promising initial results that the device was fast-tracked by the FDA. Unfortunately, at that time we were on the verge of the boom in personalized DNA medicine. Reparre Biologics had a number of projects also on the fast-track, and they came up with an effective stem-cell therapy solution before the Ceremplants were done testing. Vereserum ended up pulling funding and opened the code. Lots of people starting playing around with the implants and the next big boom began.”

It wasn’t just bio-hackers who took an interest. A number of other companies and the military were also interested. Veil travel was becoming more popular than ever, and with the increase in travel came an increase in the concern about terror attacks. “Everyone was looking for an effective solution that they could have ready in a short period of time,” James says. The U.S. military started a facial recognition program with a twist using the Vereserum technology. Instead of trying to identify individuals, the military system was designed to recognize emotions through micro expressions and body language. It was their hope that a group of security personnel equipped with Ceremplants running the software, would be able to spot potential threats before they had a chance to act.

“The program was scrapped for a number of budgetary issues but the work was good. I was amazed at how far they had gotten when I stumbled on it one night. I could see the potential immediately. I was so excited that I don’t think I slept for the first few days,” Alex says. He assembled a small team, and in just 16 months had the first version of Emotional Compass available for download.

“We started refining the the program with the help of body language specialists, animal experts, and therapists. It was my goal to build a system that could help those suffering from certain medical conditions like Asperger Syndrome, or traumatic brain injuries navigate social situations. EC would send a stream of real-time emojis to users who had trouble recognizing social cues. If you were in a job interview, and your interaction was going well, you’d see a stream of smiling faces. If you were doing something that made the other person uncomfortable you’d see sad faces, that was the general idea. We even got the system to recognize a number of animal postures, and what they meant. EC could effectively warn you if a dog was friendly or not with just a look. We helped so many people it was amazing! We had thousands of thank-yous come pouring in from people who could finally get through an interview thanks to our work. We got letters from kids who made friends for the first time, and could finally feel good about going to school. It was a great time around here. We released our second version 4 months later, knowing that we were making a difference. Then we started to hear how others were using our technology.”

There was no doubt that Alex and his team did great work, and it did not go unnoticed. Others soon took an interest, but not in the way James ever envisioned. A number of gambling related derivatives began to appear. The system was so good at reading body language and facial expressions that it was almost as if a user could see the other players cards. Most casinos require access to gambler’s Ceremplants so it didn’t become a major issue, but it did allow Alex to see the beginning of the “corruption” of his technology. He had no idea just how popular EC was about to become and what it would be famous for.

James isn’t sure who started using his technology for romantic endeavors first. “All of a sudden everyone was using it to hook-up,” he says. EC had become very popular in clubs. The system designed to help the differently abled was also very good at detecting potentially receptive dates. “Sadly, this is the innovative spirit that drives the valley these days,” he says. Word spread quickly. Within a year of the release of EC 2.0, it has become the most downloaded app ever created with no sign of slowing.

“It’s changed the game around here,” an anonymous club owner says. “It hasn’t really increased revenue but we do see a lot more people every night. It’s cut out a lot of the small talk, a lot of every kind of talk really. A few months ago you could barely hear the music over the chatter on a busy night. Now it’s mostly people sipping on drinks and scanning the room like they’re kids looking for their favorite cereal at the store. Honestly, It’s a little creepy,” he adds.

Alex agrees. “While I’m open to any unintended use of technology, I don’t think this is a good one. I created this to help people who were unable to integrate well into society, not to silently hook up at a bar. I sometimes think it would have been better to never have released EC despite how many it’s helped. I worry that in the end it will have the opposite effect on society than what I intended.”