Friday Fictioneers – Bio-hacker

~ neilmacdon
russells-bw
Photo Prompt © Russel Gayer

Jerry was always … different. Once when we were kids at the swimming baths he came up for air, pushed the black hair from his brow, and said “wouldn’t it be cool to grow gills?”

Now he’s proposing to do it.

“Jerry, you can’t,” I say. “It’s not right.”

The syringe is poised in his hand. “How so? It’s my body. I can tattoo it, pierce it, so why can’t I modify my DNA? I can cure my colour blindness and add vision into the ultra violet.”

“You won’t be you any more, not fully human.”

He just laughed.

 

Friday fictioneers is a weekly challenge set by Rochelle Wisoff Fields to write a 100-word story in response to a photo prompt. You can find other stories here

Fancy sharpening your skill with writing exercises? The Scrivener’s Forge offers a new exercise every month to hone one aspect of your craft. Take a look at this month’s exercise on point of view.

74 thoughts on “Friday Fictioneers – Bio-hacker”

  8. As you may or may not know, I’m writing an entire series of stories based (more or less) on this premise. That said, people in real life are attempting to artificially “evolve” by sewing magnets under their skin or otherwise hacking their bodies. Seems a little extreme to me.

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  16. Great story, Neil. I loved the way you presented the topic. As you’re well aware, with CRISPR we’ve almost reached the point when we have to answer these ethical questions.
    My own take is that if the technology is there and can bring advantages, the wealthy will use it come what may. So, yes, permit biohacking, or the rest of us will be even further left behind.
    Very stimulating piece of (almost realisable) speculative fiction!

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  27. This story makes me think about how close we are to this story. Wonder how long it will be before this is true? Just look what has happen over the last 120 years in science. Oh well . . .

    Great story telling.

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  29. Dang it Jerrry!!!!!! if you turn into a fishman, what job will the fish have!
    I enjoyed this one, it is different, is the most lovley of ways! 😀

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  33. Dear Neil,

    Quite a futuristic protagonist, I must say. Totally unexpected take and an engrossing narrative. You really know how to leave the readers begging for more. Id love to read more of your writings…Very novel! Keep spinning…

    Warmly,
    Tina

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      1. I agree! Coming from the part of the world where I am from, it will still take some time to get there…..we are still decades behind the first world in many aspects. 🙂 Thanks for sharing..will read for sure. Cheers!

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