World without Cats Read Online Free PDF

threat posed to the people of CSUCI by the DNA research going on here, as representative of the students at CSUCI, I urge that all experiments with recombinant DNA at the university be stopped.” The young man nodded to the applause from the audience and seated himself.
    “Thank you, Mr. Leal,” said Stanaland. Noah turned and recognized the lad, whose picture frequently appeared in The CI View. “In order to ban such research, I think it would require an action by the president of the university or by the trustees or the chancellor.”
    There were a few shouts: “Stop the research!” It became a chant: “Stop the research! Stop the research!”
    After Stanaland had again brought order to the hall, Andrea Vernon spoke up. “I’d like to offer a proposal. Instead of a total ban on Dr. Chamberlin’s research, why don’t we impose a temporary ban, a moratorium, for two or three months, during which we can investigate the risks more fully? We could form an investigative committee composed of students, faculty, and one or two citizens from the community and direct that the committee report in three months with a recommendation whether to ban the research permanently or let it proceed.”
    Noah was shocked. How could Andrea, with whom he thought he had a cordial, professional relationship, suggest banning his research? Anneke shrugged her shoulders and nodded her assent.
    “Sounds like a good plan,” Stanaland declared. “And I have a suggestion for a member of the proposed committee. Mr. Orgell, the science teacher, seems to know a lot about the subject. How about it, Mr. Orgell?”
    “I’d be honored, sir,” replied the teacher.
    “Will you agree to abstain from doing experiments for three months, Dr. Chamberlin?” Noah caught Stanaland’s determined gaze.
    Noah was silent a moment. And then, his voice hoarse, he cried, “This is wrong. It’s unprecedented. How can you ask me to give in to mob rule? Yes,” he shouted, “I will stop my research, if you think it’s necessary. I’ll spend the time reading papers.”
    Stanaland addressed Anneke. “I trust you will consent to serve on the committee, Ms. Weiss.”
    “Yes, thank you,” she replied.
    “How about you, Mr. Leal, would you like to participate?” Stanaland motioned to the young man. The student body president said he would.
    A woman’s voice was heard. “I will volunteer.”
    “Who said that?” Stanaland peered about the hall.
    “I did,” replied Vera Barnett, the veterinarian.
    “Thank you, Dr. Barnett. How about one more volunteer for a fifth committee member?”
    A dark-skinned, gray-haired fellow stood up. “I’ll volunteer,” he said. “I have a cat of my own and see the merits of both sides on this issue.”
    “What is your name, sir?” asked Stanaland.
    “Yousef Yazdani,” replied the middle-aged man.
    “Thank you Mr. Yazdani. Well, that should do it. We have two students and three people from the community. I suggest that we plan to meet again in about three months for the committee’s findings.”
    Demoralized, Noah strode out of the assembly hall, carrying George the cat. There was now silence. Nobody said a word for several minutes. And finally, like a wave at a football game, a quiet buzz began to progress throughout the audience.
     

 
    Beth Murphy operated a cattery in Coos Bay, Oregon. Over three decades, she had raised hundreds of purebred varieties of Siamese, Russian Blue, Persians and others. She kept all the important legal documents, pedigree papers, and such in a tempered steel safe in her office.
    Beth, with two charming tiny kittens in her lap, chatted with Mr. and Mrs. Cozzens, a couple seeking a Maine Coon purebred.
    “These two are just weaned,” Beth said. “One’s a male, the other female. If you can wait a week, that’ll give me time to remove them from their mother and make sure they have all the required shots. You have your choice of either one.”
    While she explained the details, a Manx