Sunday 17 August 2014

29) Amending the Genetic Code of the Quagga to Enable Flight

Day 1

I’ve been given clearance and funds to support my new study. It’s like nothing before, essentially bringing an extinct animal back from the dead. The quagga was the director’s choice of animal: his daughter prefers them to Dodos, and although I think this experiment would have a better effect on the flightless bird, it could be interesting to see the effects on what is essentially a yellow zebra. First things first I need to alter the DNA of zebras and force breeding in order to get a suitable test quagga. It sounds horrible and complex, but it’s harmless. The zebras are almost non-existent anyway.

Day 15

Suitable zebras with genes that can be easily modified have been contained and have already started breeding. Looks like love at first sight. Kind of sweet. The zebra should be pregnant soon.

Day 34

That was quicker than expected. Just have to wait nearly a year now although genetic changes will have to be made in the next few months. This is plenty of time to amend the genetic alteration machine. It’s this kind of technology that could lead to us one being able to change the eye colour of children. I however, plan to use it to give birth to a dead animal.

Day 112

The machine took a little longer than expected to prepare, but I managed to alter the DNA just before the critical deadline. Hopefully the pregnancy runs smoothly and at the end of it we should get our quagga.

Month 14

Geoffrey was born today. A healthy young. Most importantly, definitely a quagga. There are two odd bumps around his front hip sockets. It could be quite possible that I’ve bred the first real life Pegasus. Geoffrey’s mother is apparently quite distraught she can’t see her son. The sacrifices for science.

Month 17

Geoffrey has developed the skeletal structure of wings. They currently look like tiny bony talons. It doesn’t seem to be affecting his development of growth either. Hopefully it won’t affect his ability to run or charge in the long run either. One interesting development is that it doesn’t mind eating meat. Unusual, zebras are herbivores. Will need to keep an eye on that.

Month 19

Geoffrey is becoming aggressive, slamming his head against his change and screaming at his carers. He only just about lets me feed him, and he will only eat rabbits and other creatures. His wings have gained feathers, but his front hooves have become infected. They’re turning fleshy and yellow. I worry for the poor creature.

Month 20

I fear Geoffrey is not a Pegasus. The hooves turned into talons and his chest, along with his wings, are covered in brown feathers. He is a Gryphon. He lets no one near him any longer. We throw food into his pen but he leaves it untouched. I do not believe he is long for this world.

Month 21

Geoffrey escaped last night. He has been biding his time and saving his strength. His talons are mightier than I anticipated. He was able to crush the bars and used his wings to fly away. He was last spotted flying south across the sea towards the Equator, yet no one has seen him since. It is possible Geoffrey has a yearning to return to his Zebra species in Africa. As a carnivore, I can’t imagine he’ll be welcomed back into the tribe.


If this experiment has proved anything, it is that animals can, in some form or another, be brought back from the dead. The director has given me clearance to perform the experiment on a dodo. I am sure the results will be satisfactory this time around.

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