Author: George Bancroft

“Well, Dr. Tygan, this committee finds no evidence of wrongdoing,” the committee chair declared. “Your records and the testimony of your staff refute the allegations of fabricated patient interviews and fraudulent test results.”

Larry Tygan exhaled deeply. While he had no reason to doubt that he would be exonerated, he was relieved to have the inquiry conclude. The research integrity committee had initiated this hearing following a complaint filed by a disgruntled former student.

“I must acknowledge, professor, that your productivity is quite prodigious,” the chair continued. “Even your most accomplished molecular biology colleagues have published substantially fewer papers. I feel compelled to ask you one question: how are you able to accomplish so much?”

Tygan gave him a half-smile and hesitated a moment before answering.

“I have spent many a sleepless night pursuing my research, sir,” Tygan responded. “I use AI, like most of my colleagues, but always in accordance with university guidelines. As you know, I have research assistants and students who take part in my research as well.”

“Very well,” the chair said. “I declare this inquiry adjourned and no further action is to be taken. Good luck to you with your research, professor.”

Tygan’s car crawled through rush hour traffic and arrived home just after seven. He was eager to resume work on his clandestine project. After descending the stairs into the basement he opened the laboratory refrigerator and removed a small glass vial. Then he drew a small dose of the compound into a sterile syringe and injected it under the skin on his abdomen. The injections started as an audacious experiment but had now evolved into a quotidian routine.

The professor climbed the stairs and walked to his office, turning on his computer. He spent the next eight hours refining his models and analyzing data. The compound he had developed reduced his sleep requirement from seven hours to two. He had no intention of publishing his findings on the injectable treatment.

His work now focused on developing a gene therapy that would enable his body to produce the same protein, obviating the need for nightly injections. Only a few adjustments remained before he could begin testing. He intended to publish the results in four years, immediately before retirement. He saw no reason to surrender this advantage before his career ended.