The Secret DNA Code

By Michael Don Fess

Several Archaeologists, Physicists, and Astronomers have theorized that a highly intelligent species came to our planet thousands of years ago, manipulated our genes to jump-start our civilization, and encoded the history of the universe in our DNA.
Recent successes with gene splicing and DNA encoding by research teams around the world have given new credibility to these theories. Graduate students in this novel, having curious minds, set out to decode that history using nano-technology and the help of a super computer at their university.
Islamic fanatics learn of this effort and realize the potential problems this research could create for their political control over millions of followers. They resolve to murder these researchers before they succeed in their ground breaking effort. In spite of the FBI and the NSA, the international alliance assassinates some of the participants in “The Secret DNA Code.”

• Language: English
• Publisher: Michael Don Fess
• Release date: Sep 12, 2014
• ISBN: 9781310985362

Michael Don Fess

Michael Don Fess, an author since the early 1990s, has over twenty published books to his credit. His favorite genre is mystery novels, but has published some non-fiction books. He is a informative speaker at civic clubs and is an accomplished artist.His popular Caribbean Mystery series consist of four books and the historical fiction series about the wild Louisiana politics in 1964 is a three book series. The latest series about "The Secret DNA Code" has a sequel, "The DNA Conspiracy."

Book preview

Prologue

(The science behind the novel)

On August 16, 2012, the journal ‘Science’ published research by George Church and colleagues at Harvard University, in which DNA was encoded with digital information. That information included an HTML draft of a 53,400 word book written by the lead researcher, eleven JPG images, and one JavaScript program. Multiple copies for redundancy were added and they realized that 5.5 petabits can be stored in each cubic millimeter of DNA. (a petabit is one quadrillion bits)

The researchers used a simple code where bits were mapped one-to-one with bases. This had shortcoming that led to long runs of the same base and the sequencing of which was error-prone. This research result proved, however, that besides its other functions, DNA can also be another type of storage medium such as hard drives and magnetic tapes.

An improved system was reported in the journal ‘Nature’ in January 2013, in an article lead by researchers from EBI, the European Bioinformatics Institute.

This system was submitted around the same time as the paper of Church and his colleagues. Over five million bits of data, appearing as a speck of dust to researchers, and consisting of text files and audio files, were successfully stored and then perfectly retrieved and reproduced.

The encoded information consisted of all 154 of Shakespeare's sonnets, a twenty-six-second audio clip of the I Have a Dream speech by Martin Luther King, the well known paper on the structure of DNA by James Watson and Francis Crick, a photograph of EBI headquarters in Hinxton, United Kingdom, and a file describing the methods behind converting the data. All of the DNA files reproduced the information between an amazing 99.99% and 100% accuracy.

. The per-megabyte costs were estimated at $12,400 to encode the data and $220 for retrieval. However, it was noted that with a decrease in DNA synthesis and sequencing costs, if it continues into the future, should make the technology cost-effective for long-term data storage within about ten years.

Source: Wikipedia

Acknowledgements

What would this world be without friends who encourage and support our efforts? I must take this opportunity to thank those who have made my work easier.

I’ll start with Becky Kossover, who has previewed all my books and caught spelling errors, errors in punctuation, and omitted words. Then there is my tennis buddy, Dr. Bob Vogel, who helps me describe medical situations. An old friend, Wes Attaway, a forensic computer expert, has guided me in the technical world.

Several friends have given me major support and encouragement by scheduling book signings, giving several of my books to friends, and assisting in other ways. That group would include Terry Pipes, Todd Smith, Bob Heverly, Paul Offutt, Charlie Jester, John Niven, Patricia Faludi, my sister Joanie Morgan, and my brother David.

Most of all, I must pay homage to my wonderful wife of sixty-three years. Sue Fess, with her high energy and dogged determination, made my pursuit of literary excellence possible.

THE SECRET DNA CODE

CHAPTER 1

A Suburb of Chicago

Early May 2014 about 5:30 PM CST

Every time I run into you, I learn that you are into something new. Surely you don’t believe that you can find the history of the Universe encoded in our DNA, said Ken Himlauger. That’s the stuff of science fiction.

Ken, I wouldn’t be spending all my time in the lab if I didn’t think I could, said Boris Bo Samaritan, taking a sip of his coffee.

So that’s why I haven’t seen much of you lately.

Bo nodded, making his glasses slide down his nose.

I’m paying a price, he said, pushing them back. My girlfriend thinks I don’t love her anymore.

When did you decide to take this on as a project?

Well . . . I read where a group of European researchers in January of 2013 proposed a mechanism to use DNA's ability to code information as a means of digital data storage.

You’re kidding.

Nope . . . that group was able to encode over 700 kilobytes of data into DNA code, synthesize the actual DNA, then sequence the DNA and decode the information back to its original form, with a reported 100% accuracy.

Hmmm . . . that sounds pretty tricky. What kind of data did they use?

It was a mixture of text files and audio files.

Wow . . . audio, too. Has this been confirmed by anyone?

Yes, another group at Harvard had already used a similar procedure a few months earlier and were able to store the text of a 54,000-word book encoded in DNA. Those successes proved it was no fluke. The ability to store a lot of information in DNA is now a proven fact.

So you think that some highly intelligent civilization came here from somewhere in the universe and used that technology to record the history of the Universe, or at least, the history of our galaxy?

"Yes, or maybe just our solar system. It’s a popular theory among some archeologists, physicists, and astronomers. These recent accomplishments by those researchers gives their theory a lot of credibility. If it’s true, I’ll know how much it reveals if I can decode it, but my research efforts must remain a secret until I figure out how.

Okay . . . your secret is safe with me, said Ken, shrugging his shoulders, but I still don’t understand why you believe it’s there.

Think about it Ken . . . DNA is the only place you could store information that would survive all of the catastrophes our earth has experienced.

Man, that’s powerful stuff if you succeed, said Ken, brushing his tousled red hair back out of his eyes, you’ll not only shake up the scientific community, you’ll change mankind’s understanding of history.

Bo nodded.

I know . . . that’s why it has to remain a secret.

Neither Bo nor Ken noticed the silver haired gentleman sitting at the next table listening intently to the animated conversation until a photo-flash commanded their attention.

Oh my gosh, said the man. "I touched the wrong symbol. I’m still trying to learn how to use this iPhone.

He lied to cover his actions, having taken their picture so he wouldn’t forget their faces.

Bo nodded as he looked at the face with a silver mustache, then turned back to Ken.

I know I’m on the right track, he said, pushing his glasses back again, I just have a lot more work to do.

Ken shrugged his shoulders again.

All of that sounds interesting, but I’ve gotta run. If you need some help, give me a call. After all, I was a pretty good lab partner during our senior year.

Bo chuckled.

Yeah, you were when you weren’t pulling pranks on the Prof. There were times when I was afraid you were gonna get us kicked out of the course and I needed those credits to graduate.

Well . . . you’ll be pleased to know I’ve settled down. I’m now an assistant to the County Coroner doing forensic DNA comparisons.

Okay, I may give you a jingle if I hit a snag. Two heads are usually better than one, even if one is a retired prankster.

Ken laughed and turned to go.

Bo watched his good friend walk out of the coffee shop where they had run into each other. They shared many memories during the four year stint at Midwest Institute of Technology.

During those four years, he had often wished he had some of Ken’s attributes. With his good looks and athletic physique, Ken always had his pick of the girls.

As Ken walked out the door, he quickly finished his lukewarm coffee and checked his watch, knowing he was due at the research lab in a few minutes. He walked outside, grabbed his bike, and rode the familiar path onto the campus of Midwest Institute of Technology. With only three months left on his fellowship, every day was important.

Herbert Hanks, the silver haired gentleman, stood in the doorway watching him mount his bike. To be sure he had a good photo, he snapped another picture. He continued watching to see which direction Bo’s bike ride took him.

He was pleased to learn that this new assignment wasn’t a dry run. The boy’s discussion of research about people encoding DNA could have a major effect on the security business. It seemed obvious that it could also shake up the FBI’s entire code breaking unit.

Washington, D.C. NSA 6:00 PM EST

Jim, I’m not sure this has anything to do with national security, said Rollo Ponds, senior tech at NSA, but a guy at MWIT Chicago just texted his girlfriend that he would be working late. He said he was making progress on his DNA encoding research.

What’s DNA encoding? asked James Jim Othello, his supervisor.

It seems that some scientific researchers have successfully stored encoded data in DNA and retrieved it with a 100% accuracy.

You’re kidding? In DNA?

"I’m not kidding . . . and if terrorists acquire that knowledge, we could have a much more difficult time learning their plans.

Hmmm . . . okay, said Jim, let’s keep tabs on that guy. We don’t need those kind of surprises from any home-grown weirdoes.

You’re right . . . this kind of DNA research could have serious implications for our security people, especially if that encoding knowledge could be used by any of the terrorist groups.

Well . . . I’m not sure they are smart enough to do that, but we sure don’t want them using it against people in this country.

I’ll monitor this guy and his girlfriend and anyone else he communicates with, said Rollo, shrugging his shoulders. It may be important or it may not amount to anything.

Let’s ask the FBI to check out those facilities at MWIT to determine their DNA research capability, said Jim. I seem to remember we have used their people and their research in other fields on occasion.

Rollo nodded and went back to his computer. He flagged the names, Boris Bo Samaritan and his girlfriend, Anne Baxter so that any communication from either one would now automatically drop into his watch file he aptly named DNA Chicago.

He was relieved to have an actual focus instead of just checking on people watching porn, those sending hook-up messages, and monitoring calls to known madams. It was interesting for a while, but it eventually became boring.

When he finished setting those flags, he sent a secure message to the Chicago FBI office with instructions to check out the DNA research at MWIT and send him a report.

Rollo wasn’t aware that they were already checking out MWIT’s research personnel based on a student’s tip. That tip came from a foreign exchange student who had tried to curry favors. He wanted the FBI to extend his stay in the U. S.

Leaning back in his chair, Rollo relaxed as he observed the automatic feed on his screen based on key words he listed, one of which was DNA.

Using key words over the last few months, he had also compiled quite a list of excellent porn sites. He enjoyed this job with its interesting perks and the complete freedom to check on anyone.

His basic area of responsibility was the greater Chicago area including O’Hare airport. He took great satisfaction knowing that there were hundreds of people in this huge office building doing the same thing, each with different geographic areas of responsibility.

Almost no one in the U. S. could do or say anything without the NSA knowing about it. About a mile away, hundreds of people in another huge NSA building were monitoring communications from around the world.

Both of those operations comprised a huge information vacuum cleaner that stored emails, phone calls, blogs, texts, and tweets.

CHAPTER 2

Chicago lab 8:00 PM CST

Annoyed at the ringing cell phone, Bo Samaritan fished the iPhone out of his pocket and looked to see who was calling. The display showed it was Anne Baxter, his girl friend.

Hi Anne, he said, trying not to sound annoyed.

Bo, are you going to work all your life?

No honey, but I think I’m getting really close to a breakthrough. I need to stay with this to see if it works.

I may as well be dating Grant’s tomb, for all the attention I’m getting.

I’m sorry hon . . . I just need a few more days. I think this discovery will change the world.

What exactly are you doing that’s so earth shaking?

I think I’m on track to decode the history of the universe.

Are you delirious? I thought you were a level-headed guy.

I’m not kidding . . . I think it was encoded in our DNA.

Bo . . . I’m having second thoughts about our future. Have you been smoking weed lately?

"Anne, I kid you not. I believe I’ve found the evidence. All I have to do is decode it.

The phone was silent long enough for Bo to ask, Are you still there?

Okay . . . I knew you were part nerd, but walk me through the process so I don’t think you’re completely nuts.

Hmmm . . . okay, I’m working with the DNA found in a molecule that encodes the genetic instructions for all known life forms. Some scientists in Europe discovered a way to encode additional data such as text and audio files into part of the double helix.

And all of this is in a molecule? That’s pretty small, isn’t it?

Yeah . . . that’s why it’s called nano-technology. Some organisms have several DNA molecules per cell.

So . . . how are you gonna put the history of the universe in something that small?

I’m not . . . I think it’s already there. I’m just trying to read and decode it.

Sugar, you are so far over my head I’m gonna have a headache. If you ever come back down to earth, call me. I may or may not be available.

Bo looked at his phone’s display showing call ended. There was no doubt in his mind that she was really mad at him.

As he pushed his glasses back up, he pocketed the cell and tried to retrace his train of thought. She couldn’t have called at a worse time for he was just about to write down a sequence he discovered.

Rats, he said out loud.

He realized he would have to start back at the base and re-think the process. That was when he decided to call Ken, his old lab partner.

Ken, he said when he heard hello, can you come over to the lab? I need some help trying to trace a sequence.

Man, don’t you ever go home? I’ve just finished dinner and am getting ready to go on a date.

Call her and cancel. I need your help.

No way, ole buddy . . . this is a hot chick. I can come over tomorrow on my day off but I will be a little late. I don’t expect to get much sleep tonight, if you know what I mean.

Bo sighed heavily as he touched end and stuffed the iPhone back in his pocket. Ken hadn’t changed a bit. Girls were still his main goal in life.

He sat back down and started over with the tedious process of looking for the sequence he had discovered before the interruption.

Washington D. C. 6:30 AM EST

Rollo Ponds arrived at his desk early, enthused about the new DNA surveillance. Pleasantly surprised, he found two calls on Bo’s phone in his DNA Chicago file.

He listened first to Bo’s conversation with his girl friend confirming the progress his quarry was making with his DNA research. As he listened to the conversation with a guy named Ken, he saw a possible opportunity to gather more facts.

Using his encrypted email, he quickly dashed off another instruction to the Chicago FBI office. An immediate response indicated the case had already been assigned to Special Agent, Herbert Hanks, and his personal cell phone number was included.

Rollo walked down the hall to get a cup of coffee while he thought about a plan for agent Hanks. When he returned to his desk, he touched the numbers to call Hanks.

Agent Hanks, he answered, with a sleepy voice after four rings.

Rollo introduced himself and referenced the case subject.

Sorry to call so early, your office said the case had been assigned to you.

Oh yeah, said Hanks, We got a tip and I checked it out. I overheard two guys talking about DNA yesterday afternoon. One of them works for the County Coroner. I took their pictures so I could remember their faces.

"Great . . . send me the pic and I’ll run them through facial recognition for names and addresses?

That would be helpful, I’ve heard rumors that the NSA has a vast facial recognition database.

"Yeah, we’ve kept it under wraps, but we’ve been amassing data for about four years. We vacuum up all the email photos, social media photos, online videos, and other communication sources.

Wow, you must have millions of photos?

How about billions, and if I get a match whose name is Ken, I can tie it to the phone calls. Then I’ll do a search for anything we can use for leverage to make him keep you informed about their progress.

"I’ll send it to your phone right now. I’ll be on my way to the office in about an hour. Maybe you’ll have a match by then.

Great . . . I’ll call you as soon as I get something.

Rollo finished his coffee and checked some of his other watch files. Ninety minutes later his email pinged with news of a match.

The guy’s name is Ken Himlauger, he told agent Hanks, I’ll send the details to your iPhone.

Great . . . I’ll watch for it.

Impressed with the efficient way Rollo responded to his request, Hanks walked down the hall to get another cup of coffee.

Rollo quickly checked their extensive database using Ken’s name and social security number.

Ah haaaa, he said out loud as he saw two juvenile arrest records. One was for shoplifting, but the other was more serious. He was busted for possession of cocaine when he was seventeen.

He grabbed his phone and touched the numbers to call agent Hanks.

We have a lever, he said when Hanks answered. The kid was busted for cocaine possession when he was seventeen. I don’t think the Coroner would look kindly on that fact.

I’m with you . . . I’ll roust him at his address and try to convince him to work for us.

Great . . . he plans to go to the lab today. Keep me posted when he reports to you.

Rollo leaned back in his chair relishing in the good feeling he always gets when a plan comes together. He liked the way this agent Hanks responded.

Chicago 8:00 AM CST

Special Agent Herbert Hanks stood waiting at the apartment door