Endless Night

By William Laferriere

(The ethics of a genetics tale - dedicated to Trish)

An 18th century poet once upon a time

aptly noted that some to misery were born

he then bespoke of endless night

and all that pertains.

Still as we seek progress

spot on germline mutation discoveries

allow us to see through the eye

of the truth that is to be.

And navigate through the nascent struggle

discerning the ethics of involvement

the sharing of detail

the need to know.

A patient’s protections

the shattering of consciousness

a smattering of objectivity

the toxicity of detail.

Emotional recusal from the

deleterious effects

understandable and undeniable

a blink of the eye

The honor system under siege

a metaphysical breakthrough

of a sort heretofore unknown

help indeed on the way.