Frankenfood to Save Thousands in Africa

Here is my optional essay for Tufts:

Prompt:
The human narrative is replete with memorable characters like America’s Johnny Appleseed, ancient Greece’s Perseus or the Fox Spirits of East Asia. Imagine one of humanity’s storied figures is alive and working in the world today. Why does Eric the Red have a desk job? Would Shiva be a general or a diplomat? Is Quetzalcoatl trapped in a zoo? In short, connect your chosen figure to the contemporary world and imagine the life he/she/it might lead.

Frankenfood to Save Thousands in Africa
Mon Oct 5, 10:23 PM ET
Harare, Zimbabwe - World renowned researcher Dr. Victor Frankenstein has finally unveiled his latest creation: a consortium of genetically modified foods that will end malnutrition. The world’s leading GM food developer DNA (Designing New Agriculture) has completed its ten-year mission to create “Frankenfood” which, when eaten in three servings, will provide a full day’s worth of nutrition. The seeds of these organisms will grow with minimal water usage and produce bountiful crop yields, resulting in cheaper production and more food for impoverished nations.

Just fifteen years ago Dr. Frankenstein was shunned by the scientific community and by religious activists after his failed attempt to “play God”. However, today he is esteemed as a savior. He is also the number one genetic engineer. Using his esoteric knowledge, understanding of life and genomics, and a spark of creativity he has changed the world--an achievement that was never expected after Project Adam’s disastrous end. Dr. Frankenstein is a true success story. Using his passion for positive ends, he will save millions in the future.

Previously, Dr. Frankenstein was on an ethically-debatable search for what he called “the elixir of life”. In Project Adam he attempted to create life from inanimate matter. He succeeded. The result was a human prototype, which Frankenstein abandoned. The creature roamed without a parent, without a home, and without food, going to extremes to find these three things. It stole food, broke into houses, and frightened families--all because it wanted a shelter, nutrition, and love. Frankenstein’s creation once said to him, “I am malicious because I am miserable. ... If any being felt emotions of benevolence towards me, I should return them a hundred and a hundred fold.” After observing the creature, Frankenstein realized what he had to do. He said, “I shall live to improve myself, to take care of my child and to render myself worthy to join him.” While Frankenstein could not find parents or homes for every abandoned child, he could feed them.

This was the turning point in Victor Frankenstein’s life. The doctor said, “Nothing contributes so much to tranquilize the mind as a steady purpose--a point on which the soul may fix its intellectual eye.” Nourishing children with wholesome food was his new goal. In the memory of his creature, he founded DNA and started making history.