"The British themselves," Etheridge persisted, "have fostered a myth about science on their little island somehow being superior. But if that's true, why does Britain have its so-called 'brain drain'with so many of their best people hotfooting it over here, to join in U.S. research?" "They mostly do it," Sam answered, "because our facilities are better, and more money is available for staff and equipment. But your question, Clint, supports my argument. This country welcomes British scientists because of their high quality.”
"In your opinion, Sam," Etheridge asked, "what area of scientific research, relating to this industry, is at present most important?" "Without question, genetic engineering.”
"Exactly.”
The lawyer nodded, satisfied with the answer.”And isn't it true-and I speak with some scientific knowledge, as you know-that the United States has led the world, and continues to, in this genetic field?" Sam was tempted to smile, but didn't. For once, the pseudoscientist had allowed himself to be mis-briefed. "Actually, Clint," Sam said, "it isn't true. As long ago as 1651, in Britain, William Harvey studied the development of the chick in the egg, and so laid the foundations of genetic studies. Also in England, the study of biochemical genetics was begun in 1908. In between there were other discoveries, with a good deal of work by an American geneticist, Dr. Hermann Muller, in the 1920s and onward. But a crowning achievement, sometimes referred to as 'an explosion in genetic science,' was also in England-at Cambridge in 1953, when Doctors Watson and Crick discovered the structure of the DNA molecule for which they won a Nobel Prize.”
Now Sam smiled.”Dr. Watson, incidentally, was American-born, which shows that basic science is international.”
Several of the directors chuckled and Etheridge had the grace to look rueful. He acknowledged, "As we lawyers say, there are questions you wish you hadn't asked.”
Then, undeterred, he added, "Nothing that's been said changes my view that American science is second to none; further, that our own research quality will suffer if we spread ourselves too thin by setting up shop in another country.”
There were murmurs of agreement until another director, Owen Norton, rapped his knuckles sharply on the table to command attention. He received it at once. Norton, a prestigious, authoritarian figure in his mid-seventies, was chairman and major stockholder of a communications empire that included a TV network. It was generally agreed that Felding-Roth was fortunate to have him on its board. Now, having gained attention, he spoke forcefully in a loud, rasping voice. "May I remind all of you that we are discussing-or should be the serious and important problems which beset this company. We chose Sam Hawthorne as president, believing he would give leadership, ideas and guidance. So he has come up with a proposal embodying all three, and what is happening here? We are being urged by Clint and others to dismiss it out of hand. Well, I for one, will not.”
Owen Norton glanced at Etheridge, with whom he had clashed at board meetings before, and his voice became sarcastic.”I also believe, Clint, you should save your juvenile, flag-waving polemics for a jury which is less well informed than the members of this board.”
There was a momentary silence during which Sam Hawthorne reflected on how much it might surprise outsiders to discover that corporate board meetings were seldom conducted on the high intellectual level which many might expect. While weighty and sometimes wise decisions could be arrived at, there was often a surprising amount of low-level argument and petty bickering. "What the hell does it matter, anyway," Norton continued, "whose science is superior-Britain's or ours? That isn't the point.”
A director asked, "Then what is?" Norton pounded the table with a fist.”Diversification! In any business, including mine, it's sometimes an advantage to have a second 'think tank,' completely separate from and independent of any existing one. And maybe the best way to get that separation is to put an ocean between the two.”
"It's also a way," someone else said, .of letting costs get out of hand. " For nearly an hour the debate continued, with more opposition surfacing and alternative ideas being put forward. But there was support for Sam's proposal from several directors, support which Owen Norton's stand had strengthened, and in the end the opposition dissipated. Finally the original proposal was approved by a vote of thirteen to one, Clinton Etheridge the sole dissenter. "Thank you, gentlemen," Sam acknowledged.”I truly believe that something productive will come from this decision.”
Later the same day he sent for Celia. "You're moving on," he told her without time-wasting preliminaries.”The International Division is now behind you. Your new job is special assistant to the president and you'll be my right hand in setting up a British research institute.”
"All right," Celia acknowledged; the news delighted her, but she kept her tone as brisk as Sam's. He was showing signs, she thought, of some of the pressures which inevitably were crowding him. He was now almost totally bald, only a thin fringe of hair remaining. From her own point of view, Celia reasoned, there would be time for celebration tonight when she shared her news with Andrew. She asked, "When do I start?" Mentally she was calculating how long it would take to hand over her Latin-American responsibilities. A month should be enough. "I'd prefer to make it this afternoon," Sam answered.”But we'll have to arrange an office for you, so let's say 9 A.M. tomorrow.”
"This new assignment you have," Sam explained to Celia next day, "won't last long. Your main job will be to help get our British research institute established, staffed and operating. I'd like to have that done in a year, though sooner would be better. As soon as possible after that, we'll find you something else.”
The priorities, Sam continued, were to find and appoint a British scientist who would head the institute, to decide where in Britain it should be located, then to buy or lease a building-preferably an existing one capable of being adapted quickly to its new purpose. Everything was to be on an urgent basis-which was the reason for pulling Celia so suddenly from International. Sam personally would spearhead the search for a prestigious, capable scientific director, though Celia would help as needed. As to the other matters, Celia would handle those, coming up with recommendations for Sam and others to consider. Both Sam and Celia would leave for Britain the following week. Before then, however, they would consult with Vincent Lord who, despite his opposition to the project, was well informed about British science and scientists and might have names of candidates to suggest. The consultation with Dr. Lord took place a few days later in Sam's office, with Celia present. To Celia's surprise, Vince Lord was cooperative, even friendly as far as that capability lay within him. Sam, who understood more of the background than Celia, realized why. With Felding-Roth now committed to research in Britain, Lord wanted to control it. But Sam still was determined not to have that happen. "I've prepared a list," Lord informed them, "of people who could be potential candidates. You'll have to approach them discreetly because they are either professors at universities or are employed by our competitors.”
Sam and Celia examined the list, which contained eight names.”We'll be discreet," Sam promised, "but we'll also move quickly.”
"While you're over there," Lord said, "here's something else you might look into.”
From a file he extracted a batch of papers and letters clipped together.”I've been corresponding with a young scientist at Cambridge University. He's been doing some interesting work on mental aging and Alzheimer's disease, but he's run out of money and wants a grant.”
"Alzheimer's," Celia said.”That's when the brain stops functioning, isn't it?" Lord nodded.”Part of the brain. Memory disappears. The condition starts slowly and gets worse.”