After the International Biotech Investment Summit in Delhi, Rohan Sharma accepted Zara Khan’s invitation and once again visited “Innovate Bio’s” latest research facility in Hyderabad. The facility, located at the heart of Genome Valley on the city’s outskirts, reflected light from its glass walls, as if the future of medicine had materialized. Passing through strict security, Rohan stepped into a lab where cutting-edge science and technology thrived.
“Welcome, Rohan. This is where we are creating the future of humanity.” Zara, clad in a lab coat, proudly greeted Rohan. Guided by her, Rohan witnessed firsthand the R&D site where vast sums of money had been invested. In the cleanroom, researchers were exploring treatments for intractable diseases using the latest gene therapy technology. Large computers analyzed genetic sequences, and cultured cells reflected the mysteries of life. Rohan was overwhelmed by the scale, the intellect of the people working there, and the possibility of enormous “money” it would generate.
In one lab, Zara explained the latest achievements in gene therapy to Rohan. “This technology directly edits the genes of diseases previously considered incurable, enabling fundamental treatment. However, its development requires enormous funding, and ethical questions always accompany it. Manipulating genes is sometimes criticized as stepping into ‘God’s domain.'” Her words clearly showed the light and shadow inherent in cutting-edge technology.
“Medical progress always comes with risks and ethical questions. But only by overcoming them can we truly save lives and expand human potential. This power to face and overcome ethical dilemmas is what is demanded of us as business professionals.” Zara, as the CEO leading her researchers, demonstrated her unwavering conviction and “manly” decisiveness. She didn’t shy away from difficult problems; instead, she sought to solve them with the power of business. That passion strongly stimulated Rohan’s ambitious side. Rohan felt firsthand that the “rawness” of business, where vast sums of money were invested, recouped as profit, and then led to even larger investments, was the driving force creating the future of humanity here.
After the tour, the two moved to a private lounge in Zara’s office. It was a sophisticated space with a panoramic view of Hyderabad’s skyline. Over coffee, they discussed more deeply the ethical challenges of technology and the conflicts in its commercialization.
“My AI diagnostic system also constantly faces ethical questions regarding data privacy. Especially in Anjali’s NGO activities, I keenly felt the difficulty of handling data from people with low information literacy.” When Rohan confided his concerns, Zara listened with a serious expression. “That’s right. Data is called the new oil, but behind it always lies human dignity. That’s why our work is complex and interesting. When you face an ethical wall, what do you do? Do you stop? Or do you understand the risks and seek ways to overcome that wall?” Zara’s questions were sharp, deeply probing Rohan’s thoughts. She was not just confronting him as a business partner, but directly addressing his struggles as a technologist and as a human being.
“I am constantly facing that question too. What is the permissible line? I feel that the perspective from the field, like Anjali’s, is indispensable.” Rohan unconsciously mentioned Anjali’s name. Zara heard it and chuckled faintly. “Typical of her, isn’t it? But to connect that passion to a greater impact, our kind of approach is also necessary. If you believe in the power of technology, you should choose the path that maximizes it.”
Zara’s words evoked two different values within Rohan. Anjali embodied “human-centered ethics and empathy,” while Zara embodied “maximization of technology and progress through business.” Rohan felt that both were indispensable elements for the future of medicine. The discussion with Zara transcended mere business talk, illuminating his internal conflict itself. But strangely, by sharing that conflict, Rohan felt an even stronger attraction to Zara’s deep empathy and intellectual charm. Her ambitious radiance, and her “manly” demeanor in fearlessly tackling difficult ethical questions, strongly stimulated Rohan’s heart, awakening similar ambition and adventurous spirit dormant within him.
Under the night sky of Hyderabad, Rohan left Zara’s office. His discussion with her had simultaneously delved deep into the ethical aspects of his technology and captivated him anew with her charming intellect and ambition. Although they had different approaches, they shared the common goal of creating the future of medicine, and they resonated deeply in confronting ethical challenges in the process.
This resonance acted as a new, and “dangerous,” charm on Rohan’s heart. His deep affection for Anjali and his expectation of a calm future with her remained unwavering. However, Zara’s power to move the world and the intellectual exhilaration he felt with her also strongly pulled Rohan’s heart. He felt that his intellectual desires and ambition were maximally stimulated by being next to Zara. A romantic tension, making readers expect “perhaps, the two of them might finally be united,” was surely building between Rohan and Zara amidst this cutting-edge lab and ethical debate. Rohan’s heart was progressing deeper into an even more complex labyrinth, one where he couldn’t let go of either future.
