Dusk began to creep quietly over Addison Blythe's suburban home. The smart TV emitted bright light, clearly projecting the live footage of the Capitol Hill press conference on the wall. Addison's parents, Martin and Amy, sat side by side at the front of the sofa, their eyes wide open, staring at the screen without blinking, their hands unconsciously clenched together, their knuckles white from exertion, revealing their inner tension and excitement. Beside them, several reporters from well-known media were busy using professional equipment to record everything in the house. The camera lens quickly shifted from the TV screen to Addison's parents' faces, and then slowly swept across the neighbors sitting around. A dozen neighborhood neighbors filled the living room, whispering to each other, discussing the news on the screen in a low voice, with curiosity and amazement written on their faces. One of the experienced reporters, speaking fluently, quickly translated John O'Keefe's words in real time, and the voice echoed clearly in the slightly noisy living room.
As soon as the translator finished speaking, the neighbors instantly quieted down, everyone held their breath, and their eyes showed undisguised envy and shock. Harvard University, the world's top university, has now taken the initiative to invite Addison to a professorship, and the annual salary is as high as 1 million US dollars! This is a figure that many people can hardly reach in their entire lives. Although everyone knows that with Addison's talent, he may not agree to this invitation, but just getting the favor of Harvard University is enough to make people respect it, which is undoubtedly the supreme honor.
Addison's parents showed extremely tangled expressions on their faces. Martin's brows twisted into a knot, and his fingers subconsciously tapped his knees quickly, the rhythm became faster and faster; Amy bit her lips gently, her eyes full of worry. They didn't want their son to go to Harvard University from the bottom of their hearts. After all, it was very difficult to see each other thousands of miles apart. However, as parents, they hope to respect their son's wishes. If Addison wants to go, they will definitely support him without reservation. This contradictory mood is the helplessness shared by parents all over the world.
At the same time, in the experimental class's Messenger group, the friends also discussed enthusiastically, and the message notification sounds came one after another.
"We haven't even entered the university yet, and Addison has the opportunity to become a professor at Harvard University. This gap is too big! It feels like being hit 100,000 times." Tom spoke first, and added a helpless expression pack with his hands spread out.
"Do you think Addison will agree?" Lily asked immediately, followed by a series of question marks.
"It's possible. Harvard University is a top university in the world, and the overall scientific and technological strength of Singapore is far superior to ours. If Addison goes there to develop, he will definitely make faster progress." Jack analyzed seriously.
"But Addison is now an idol in the hearts of many Chinese people. If he goes to Singapore, it will definitely disappoint many people." Emily expressed her concerns.
"Having said that, going there doesn't mean he won't come back. Maybe he will come back after learning advanced Western knowledge." Mark expressed a different opinion.
"I have a hunch that Addison won't go. There's no particular reason, it's just a feeling." David stated his point of view simply and directly.
At the press conference, the lights were bright, and Professor Miller had a complicated expression, his eyes were fixed on Addison as if attracted by a magnet. He crossed his arms in front of his chest, his fingers unconsciously tapped his arms lightly, his joints slightly reddened because of the force, and he was uneasy, wondering whether Addison would accept John O'Keefe's invitation. If Addison agreed and never came back, it would be a huge loss for the American biological research community. Thinking of this, Professor Miller couldn't help but shake his head slightly, with a trace of worry on his face.
Everyone's eyes were also focused on Addison, waiting for his answer. This was by no means a trivial matter. The United States had just held a high-profile press conference to announce that Addison had conquered AIDS. If Addison went abroad the next second and became a professor at Harvard University, he would undoubtedly become an international laughing stock.
Addison smiled and shook his head, his tone firm: "Thank you for your invitation, but I refuse."
Rejected! Professor Miller let out a long sigh, his tense nerves relaxed instantly, and he leaned back unconsciously on the chair, gently wiping the sweat from his forehead. Dean Brown of the Institute of Biology also felt relieved, with a relieved smile on his face. Many people around him breathed a sigh of relief, and there was a slight discussion at the scene.
John O'Keefe was full of doubts and asked, "Can you tell me the reason? If it's a salary issue, I can apply to the school board, and they will definitely be happy to increase the salary. If there are other problems, you can also tell me, I will try my best to help you solve it."
Addison smiled and said, "It has nothing to do with salary. The AIDS treatment technology I developed can make me earn endless money. I refused because I don't think the biological community in Singapore can help me improve. In fact, in the field of biological sciences, especially genetic technology, no one can help me improve. I can only rely on myself."
As soon as these words came out, the whole audience exploded instantly. Although Addison's expression was humble, the arrogance revealed in his words was shocking. "No one can help me improve anymore. I can only rely on myself." Isn't this equivalent to saying that no biologist in the world can compare to him? To be honest, this is the first time that everyone has seen such an "arrogant" scientist.
"Ahem..." Johnson couldn't help rolling his eyes and gently touched his forehead with his hand. His student is good at everything, but he loves to "show off". In such an important occasion, he couldn't help but "show off". Fortunately, although Addison's words were arrogant, he was telling the truth. In the field of biological science, no one can really teach him.
"This..." "This child!" Addison's parents looked at each other, some of them were amused. Martin shook his head helplessly, and Amy smiled and patted his forehead gently.
In the experimental class Messenger group, the friends became lively again, and all kinds of teasing and exclamation messages kept flooding the screen.
"Oh my god, Addison is going further and further on the road of "showing off." Tom sent a stunned emoticon package.
"When it comes to 'showing off' skills, I only admire Addison." Lily followed closely, accompanied by a series of laughing expressions.
"If I said this to a university teacher, I would probably be scolded." Jack joked.
At the press conference, John O'Keefe was at a loss for a moment. He opened his mouth but didn't know what to say. His face turned pale and red. In my impression, Americans are more humble. How could such an alternative appear? The host was also stunned for a moment, but after all, he was experienced and quickly recovered. With a professional smile on his face, he began to select the third questioner.
The third person who got the chance to ask questions was an American reporter. He stood up, adjusted his tie, and asked, "Mr. Addison Blythe, there are about 40 million people infected with AIDS in the world. They are all very concerned about when this technology can be used?"
Addison smiled and responded, "This question is not easy to answer. Animal experiments and human clinical trials have not been conducted yet. But I will do my best to get this drug on the market as soon as possible. Strive to give patients a satisfactory answer in the shortest possible time. At the same time, we have formed a professional scientific research team and will strictly follow scientific procedures to advance research to ensure the safety and effectiveness of the drug."
Then, a Singaporean reporter got the opportunity to ask questions: "Mr. Addison Blythe, I understand that you have applied for a patent for single-base gene editing technology, but have not yet applied for patents for AIDS treatment technology and biological gene lock technology. Are you too busy recently and don't have time to apply? Countries around the world are willing to provide help in this regard. Applying for a patent can effectively protect your interests."
Apply for a patent? How is that possible! Patents are protected at the cost of public technology. Single-base gene editing technology is easy to crack, so apply for a patent. But the AIDS treatment technology and the biological gene lock technology cannot be cracked by the current scientists. Why apply for patents and give others the opportunity to steal the technology?
Addison answered without hesitation: "I am not considering applying for patents for these two technologies for the time being, and I am not sure whether I will apply for them in the future. I value the development and application of the technology itself more than a patent. At present, these two technologies are still being improved, and applying for patents too early may limit technological innovation and breakthroughs. Moreover, I believe that with the strength of our team, we can continue to lead in the field of technology without relying on patents for protection."
Hearing Addison's answer, many people secretly calculated in their hearts. You don't apply for a patent, maybe you are confident in your own technology. But if someone cracks this technology, you can apply for a patent first. Some people also think that without patent protection, there will be more room for operation, and maybe they can do something about these two technologies. The scientists in the audience whispered to each other, some nodded to show their understanding, and some showed doubts. Just as everyone was talking, a scientist from Europe stood up, cleared his throat, and prepared to ask his own questions, and the atmosphere on the scene became tense again.