“Wow!” Candace remarked. “You actually take these tiny, tiny strands out of the nucleus. How on earth can you do that!”

“That’s another story,” Kevin said. “Actually I use a monoclonal antibody system that recognizes the backside of the transponase.”

“This is getting over my head,” Candace said.

“Well, forget how he gets the short arms out,” Melanie said. “Just accept it.”

“Okay,” Candace said. “What do you do with these detached short arms?”

Kevin pointed toward Melanie. “I wait for her to work her magic.”

“It’s not magic,” Melanie said. “I’m just a technician. I apply in vitro fertilization techniques to the bonobos, the same techniques that were developed to increase the fertility of captive mountain gorillas. Actually, Kevin and I have to coordinate our efforts because what he wants is a fertilized egg that has yet to divide. Timing is important.”

“I want it just ready to divide,” Kevin said. “So it’s Melanie’s schedule that determines mine. I don’t start my part until she gives me the green light. When she delivers the zygote, I repeat exactly the same procedure that I’d just done with the client’s cell. After removing the bonobo short arms, I inject the client’s short arms into the zygote. Thanks to the transponase they hook right up exactly where they are supposed to be.”

“And that’s it?” Candace said.

“Well, no,” Kevin admitted. “Actually I introduce four transponases, not one. The short arm of chromosome six is the major segment that we’re transferring, but we also transfer a relatively small part of chromosomes nine, twelve, and fourteen. These carry the genes for the ABO blood groups and a few other minor histocompatibility antigens like CD-31 adhesion molecules. But that gets too complicated. Just think about chromosome six. It’s the most important part.”

“That’s because chromosome six contains the genes that make up the major histocompatibility complex,” Candace said knowledgeably.

“Exactly,” Kevin said. He was impressed and smitten. Not only was Candace socially adept, she was also smart and informed.

“Would this protocol work with other animals?” Candace asked.

“What kind would you have in mind?” Kevin asked.

“Pigs,” Candace said. “I know other centers in the U.S. and England have been trying to reduce the destructive effect of complement in transplantation with pig organs by inserting a human gene.”

“Compared with what we are doing that’s like using leaches,” Melanie said. “It’s so old-fashioned because it is treating the symptom, not eliminating its cause.”

“It’s true,” Kevin said. “In our protocol there is no immunological reaction to worry about. Histocompatibility-wise we’re offering an immunological double, especially if I can incorporate a few more of the minor antigens.”

“I don’t know why you are agonizing over them,” Melanie said. “In our first three transplants the clients haven’t had any rejection reaction at all. Zilch!”

“I want it perfect,” Kevin said.

“I’m asking about pigs for several reasons,” Candace said. “First, I think using bonobos may offend some people. Second, I understand there aren’t very many of them.”