> I am writing an action-adventure screenplay wherein the hero, who is a
> Hispanic uses gene therapy to turn himself into a Nordic hunk.  This
> involves his obtaining the necessary genes for skin depigmentation,
> iris depigmentation to get the baby blue hue, and blond hair; and
> using self-medication to effect the transition.

> My question is, does this sound like sci-fi, or, as I guess it to be,
> is it really practicable even today, for an enterprising person like
> the protagonist in my story, to get hold of the relevant genetic
> material to effect the changes as outlined above?  Also, will the
> current modes of gene therapy enable such a radical transformation to
> take place?

> Thanks for your help.

> Sincerely,

> Caroline Brandt
> Christ Church, Oxford

> <><

> Hello Doctors,

> I am writing an action-adventure screenplay wherein the hero, who is a
> Hispanic uses gene therapy to turn himself into a Nordic hunk.  This
> involves his obtaining the necessary genes for skin depigmentation,
> iris depigmentation to get the baby blue hue, and blond hair; and
> using self-medication to effect the transition.

> Hello Doctors,

> I am writing an action-adventure screenplay wherein the hero, who is a
> Hispanic uses gene therapy to turn himself into a Nordic hunk.  This
> involves his obtaining the necessary genes for skin depigmentation,
> iris depigmentation to get the baby blue hue, and blond hair; and
> using self-medication to effect the transition.

>I am writing an action-adventure screenplay wherein the hero, who is a
>Hispanic uses gene therapy to turn himself into a Nordic hunk.  This
>involves his obtaining the necessary genes for skin depigmentation,
>iris depigmentation to get the baby blue hue, and blond hair; and
>using self-medication to effect the transition.

>My question is, does this sound like sci-fi, or, as I guess it to be,
>is it really practicable even today, for an enterprising person like
>the protagonist in my story, to get hold of the relevant genetic
>material to effect the changes as outlined above?  Also, will the
>current modes of gene therapy enable such a radical transformation to
>take place?

> > It sounds ridiculous. I agree with Jorge - who exactly are you writing
> > this for, anyway?

> I am sorry if it sounds racist, but its an espionage thriller in which
> the hero is necessarily transiting two different racial appearances.

> I had hoped that there would be some genuinely scientific feedback
> from these Newsgroups, but it hasn't turned out that correct.  You
> folks are a disgrace to the Usenet.  Maybe you ought to look at some
> other technical newsgroups to find out how a technical group ought to
> function.

> AFAIK, the only successes in gene therapy have been converting bone
> marrow and liver cells to express specific enzymes that the patient
> is genetically unable to produce.  One disease, which I can't remember
> the name of, is so rare that a medical geneticist once told me that
> there are more people studying it than have it.  The other is a very
> rare form of familial hypercholesterolemia that kills patients before
> age 30.  There aren't even gene therapy treatments for very common
> genetic defects like sickle cell anemia and cystic fibrosis yet, so
> don't hold your breath on the cosmetic stuff.

> Your character could bleach his hair, wear contact lenses and use makeup,
> and a little surgery could alter his features too.  Steroids to become a
> hunk, I guess, but don't try this at home.

> On the other hand, movie science is well known for its lack of relationship
> to real life science, so most likely you shouldn't let reality get in the
> way of your art!

> > AFAIK, the only successes in gene therapy have been converting bone
> > marrow and liver cells to express specific enzymes that the patient
> > is genetically unable to produce.  One disease, which I can't remember
> > the name of, is so rare that a medical geneticist once told me that
> > there are more people studying it than have it.  The other is a very
> > rare form of familial hypercholesterolemia that kills patients before
> > age 30.  There aren't even gene therapy treatments for very common
> > genetic defects like sickle cell anemia and cystic fibrosis yet, so
> > don't hold your breath on the cosmetic stuff.

> > Your character could bleach his hair, wear contact lenses and use makeup,
> > and a little surgery could alter his features too.  Steroids to become a
> > hunk, I guess, but don't try this at home.

> > On the other hand, movie science is well known for its lack of relationship
> > to real life science, so most likely you shouldn't let reality get in the
> > way of your art!

> Beverly,

> Thanks for the information.  Yours is among the rational and
> well-informed posts amid the confusion and chaos in these NGs from
> hecklers.

> Sincerely,

> Caroline

> <><

> Experts are normally paid for technical consultation on for-profit
> projects;  a friend bought a condo at Mammoth out of the proceeds of his
> consultation on a  movie.  Did I hear you mention money, or were you just
> hoping to get lucky?

> >snip<

> My dearest Caroline,

> You posted a question of which you surely knew would have no answer.  After
> all, were there such "horrors" in a syringe, would you expect the newsgroups
> to produce a " doctor " willing to share his secret.

> I would think that an artist would seek out criticizism.  Jorge would become
> a treasure.  Your first post gave so little information, yet, Jorge was able
> to conjure up racism.  And guess what?  He is right, and, he is wrong.  One
> thing for sure, Jorge represents life.

> Seems to me you are attempting a fictional work, and would like to base your
> work on facts.  Facts will, by their nature, destroy a work of fiction.

> How about this scenario:  Jorge was abducted from his Madrid home as a
> child.  He is enslaved in the deep woods of Montana.  Montana is now the
> capitol of the world.  Jorges' captors are all blond, blue eyed, and milky
> white skin tone.

> Jorge becomes a trusted slave and gains knowledge that his captors are
> actually aliens out to destroy earth.  Jorge discovers a medicine the aliens
> use.  He infuses himself with the medicine, hoping to die, rather to live
> the life of a slave.  The medicine gives Jorge super powers, but even so, he
> needs help to defeat the aliens.  The problem is that the medicine will work
> only on people of  "good hearts".  Jorge must locate as many people of
> Spanish descent as possible and convince them to take the medicine.  The
> problem is....................

> Caroline, never thrash your detractors.  Relish life and all its meanings.
> Good luck on your project.

> Don