“Yes, I’m actually looking to confirm a few things I’ve learned,” Humphrey said.
“I see,” Gage considered this for a moment, “well in light of that, I could have Reed leave the room if you’re coming to me as a patient.”
“No need for that, Sir. I’m not coming to you as a patient, but I am interested in what medicine currently allows you to do for a patient.”
The doctor’s confused expression grew more defined. “Such as?” he asked.
“Your work with artificial or donor insemination. You’re one of the few whose had success with the procedure.”
Gage’s smile then seemed to balance between approving and grim. “There are many more than me who’ve had success but the process is still deemed by some as an abomination even after the Georgia ruling. What do you know of that?”
Humphrey smiled, pleased to share his thoughts on the 1964 ruling. Georgia was the first state to pass a statute legitimizing children conceived of donor insemination or DI, so long as written consent regarding knowledge of and desire for the procedure was given by husband and wife. Prior to the ruling, the process had been viewed a scandal with women labeled as adulteresses by law and society. As a result, many doctors carried out the procedure in secret for their patients.
The Georgia ruling was seen as a sign that things were changing for the better.
Doctor Gage looked pleased by Humphrey’s summation. “You’ve done your homework, Mr. Tesano. I’m curious to know what more I could tell you.”
Humphrey leaned closer to the desk, yet made a conscious effort to keep his tone from sounding too eager. “The insemination process involves an egg being fertilized while it remains inside the host, yes?”
Gage offered a slow nod. “That’s correct.”
“Has any work been done with the egg outside the host?”
Gage shifted a quick look to the R.A. who had been following the conversation with rapt interest. As though sensing his mentor’s gaze, the young man resumed his diligent note taking.
“There have been studies in the works for decades, Mr. Tesano. Most recent advancements were in sixty-five by three scientists at Johns Hopkins. The process was called in vitro fertilization. I believe the dawn of the next decade will see the procedure realized.” Gage’s curiosity seemed renewed and he leaned closer to his desk. “I find this a curious topic for a young man to be so intrigued by. Are you gathering the information for personal reasons?”
Humphrey settled back in his chair before the doctor’s desk. “You could say that. I know much of the turmoil surrounding DI lay in the fact that it’s not always the woman who is incapable of conceiving, but the male who is sterile. DI allows for a wife to be impregnated by a donor other than her husband. There have been concerns about that.”
“The process is quite secure, Mr. Tesano. I assure you.”
“I’m not speaking to the security of the semen, Doctor, but to its...selection.”
“Selection.”
“If the husband is the weak link, how is the decision made on what sperm to use?” Newly engaged, Humphrey leaned in once more to drive his point home. “Surely, the couple would want the child to look as much like them as possible.”
“Why yes...” Gage’s responses came in more slowly as if he were weighing each bit of information he shared with the extraordinary young man in his office. “We would make every effort to match the couple with an appropriate donor- giving them a child to favor them as much as possible.”
“And what if they didn’t want a child that...favored them?”
“Beg pardon?”
“What if they desired the exact opposite? How much of a role does the egg play? Are there procedures that could...erase whatever...imprints are attached to the egg by way of the mother and the sperm by way of the father in order to generate-”
“What’s your interest in this, Mr. Tesano?” Gage seemed to stiffen in his desk chair. “Are you here out of curiosity or for some grander purpose?”
“I’m a very wealthy man, Dr. Gage. Allow me to fund your research.”
“My research, Mr. Tesano? Or yours?”
Humphrey smiled. “I believe we’re coming from the same place.”
“Do you? Tell me, Mr. Tesano, have you ever heard the term eugenics?”
Humphrey’s expression harbored a satiated gleam. “I have, actually. My respect for the subject is what brought me to-”
“Eugenics was a disgrace. An abominable movement championed by racist psychotics on a mission to develop some bland, blond and blue eutopia. It was a horror and sickens me to know it was ever connected to the medical field that I love.”
Humphrey’s budding excitement; fueled by the man he’d hoped would become a colleague, dialed back considerably. He gave no hint to the disappointment or anger he was feeling. Admirably, he resisted the urge to clench fists even as his palms ached to be curled.
“I’m sorry, Mr. Tesano, that I can’t help with...whatever you’re trying to do.” Gage nodded toward the R.A. “Jonathan, show Mr. Tesano out, will you?”
“No need,” Humphrey stood, tugged the sleeves of his suit coat.
“I’m afraid I’ll have to insist, Mr. Tesano,” Jonathan Reed was saying, already heading to the office door. “These halls can get pretty tricky.”
Humphrey gave a slight nod of acceptance and then fixed Gage with a fleeting look that didn’t meet the man’s eye. “Thank you for your time, doctor.”
Out in the lobby, Madelyn Ferrat beamed when Humphrey emerged. “It was very nice meeting you, Mr. Tesano,” she called.
Despite his mood, Humphrey offered one of his most polite smiles. “Same,” was all he said.
Understanding that the easy vibes displayed by their handsome visitor had practically vanished, Madelyn Ferrat considered Humphrey’s departure. She sent a look to Gage when the doctor appeared in the lobby. “Doesn’t look like that went well,” she said.
Gage kept his eyes on the exit Humphrey Tesano had taken. “It certainly wasn’t what I expected.”
“Looks like you could use a very big cup of coffee, Doc.”
