The Human Faustus Project : an honors thesis (HONRS 499)

Abstract

Dr. John Faust's tenure has just been revoked. Apparently the university felt that the data in his controversial article had been "cooked" and now he has until the end of the semester to vacate his office. An emotional wreck, he is left alone to pack up his life's work. From out of the blue, a mysterious man dressed as a magician appears and offers John a proposal: "knowledge, new insights, immense powers. Magic at your fingertips. Answers to your questions. Unlimited access to the building blocks of life. The ability to cure disease - the means to do those great and wonderful things..." In exchange, John must promise to use the knowledge to help the world and give the mysterious man his soul. No problem, after all, there's no such thing as a soul, right?Suddenly, Dr. Faust finds himself out of academic exile and onto the cover of Time Magazine, being hailed as the "Savior of Mankind." Each day brings a new discovery and with each new cure found, Dr. Faust only thirsts for more. Everything is going great for the world's new savior until one of his patients unexpectedly dies. In the blink of an eye, the famous Dr. Faust is forced underground and from there he must continue to do his work in secret. But how long can Dr. Faust keep going? How many more lives must be lost? Where will he draw the line? Only the magician knows, but he prefers ask the questions.