Chapter 133: The American Cancer Conference (9)

Campbell moved fast. He held a press conference right away and confirmed the details Young-Joon announced during the cancer conference.

“The U.S. government provided three billion dollars in annual funding to help Doctor Ryu Young-Joon, the CEO of A-Bio, build the A-Bio Cancer Laboratory,” Campbell said. “The A-Bio Cancer Laboratory is an affiliate company of the National Institute of Health, and it will have access to all anticancer research data at the National Cancer Institute, and the National Center for Biotechnology Information.”

Even if the corporation itself followed U.S. laws, it was still a foreign company. Plus, it was highly unusual for the U.S. government to give them this much access. And frankly, the fact that they were giving him three billion dollars was just insane.

“Furthermore, the U.S. government has decided not to claim any rights to any new drugs developed from it,” Campbell said. “The A-Bio Cancer Laboratory was controversial from the beginning of its establishment. People were asking why America should spend so much tax money to help a foreign company get off the ground. The White House was attacked because of this decision, but those comments disappeared while the cancer laboratory was being built. Do you know why? It’s because A-Bio and Doctor Ryu Young-Joon have accomplished so much.”

The reporters wrote down Campbell’s announcement. It was information that people in the know already knew about, as Young-Joon had dropped a spoiler of sorts at the conference.

“Now, the situation has taken a complete turn, and people are making all sorts of comments: that it doesn’t make sense for America to invest that much money and get nothing out of it and that an investment that does not yield profit is a failed investment from a capitalist perspective, no matter the excuse. There are some saying that the relationship between Doctor Ryu and myself should be investigated,” Campbell said.

It was true that people were saying that, but that was not the public’s general opinion. There was a reason why Campbell let Young-Joon announce everything at the conference first: to see how the public reacted. Campbell’s announcement would change slightly depending on that. But things were going as he expected and as he wanted.

“First of all, I only met Doctor Ryu for the first time just a few days ago, and...” Campbell said. “This bold decision was made by the U.S. government because we had confidence in the synergy that would be created between Doctor Ryu Young-Joon’s ingenuity and American capital. We are at the threshold of an important battle.”

Campbell took a deep breath.

“With the help of Doctor Ryu Young-Joon, A-Bio, and A-Gen, the United States of America will find the complete answer to cancer in the next fifty years. We will create a world where we will no longer have cancers that are incurable because of the lack of technology.”

Campbell raised his voice while holding the microphone and looking at the reporters.

“To those who say that the U.S. government is investing a great amount of money and resources but not getting anything out of it, let me give you this answer. 1.73 million people were newly diagnosed with cancer in the United States last year, and six hundred nine thousand people passed away from cancer,” Campbell said. “According to data from the last five years, the average American citizen has a thirty-eight percent chance of being diagnosed with cancer at least once in their lifetime. Last year, fifteen thousand two hundred seventy children and adolescents under the age of nineteen were diagnosed with cancer and eighteen hundred of them lost their lives because of it.”

Campbell’s supporters cheered at the right time as he spoke.

“And the national cost of caring for cancer was estimated to be one hundred forty-seven billion dollars. Isn’t an investment of three billion dollars a year to end this huge loss of lives and capital a bargain?”

Campbell went on.

“After Doctor Ryu Young-Joon developed gene surgery that can be done in the body, the scientific community is full of people who want to work with him on his anticancer project. However, the White House wisely noticed his abilities and prospects months ago and established a cancer lab, ultimately leading to the start of this project.”

“Good job!”

“Give him more money!”

Some of the citizens shouted. Campbell smiled inside.

“The United States is not

investing

in the A-Bio Cancer Lab; it was brought into the United States. And I believe that what is happening right now is one of the best things this government has done this year,” Campbell said. “Doctor Ryu Young-Joon has experience in working on transnational projects such as the HIV Eradication Project, and he has also developed effective treatments for incurable diseases like Alzheimer’s and diabetes. His and A-Bio’s capabilities have already been proven. Moreover, he has shown us his true integrity and commitment to this project by even giving up his own patent.”

Campbell went on.

“I promise you, the great people of the United States of America, that we are Doctor Ryu Young-Joon’s best ally and friend. We will give it our all and work together toward the greatest goal in human history: the conquering of cancer. If we join forces, this disease will be extinct in fifty years.”

* * *

In a restaurant that served beer and burgers on Kingsreta Street, Philadelphia...

“...”

Young-Joon’s hand froze while still holding his fork. So did all the members of the Life Creation Team who were sitting at the same table. It was because the president’s announcement was on the huge television that was at the front of the restaurant.

“When did you become friends with America?” Cheon Ji-Myung asked.

“It’s the first I’m hearing of it,” Young-Joon replied while putting down his fork.

Park Dong-Hyun chuckled.

“They’re really showing off their friendship.”

“A-Bio’s entry to the U.S. was not an investment by the U.S., but brought in by the U.S... Wow...” Cheon Ji-Myung exclaimed

“But honestly, it is something to be proud of. I would have bragged to the prime minister if I was the president too,” Park Dong-Hyun said.

“Right, sir? The person they funded with three billion dollars a year and built a cancer lab for suddenly developed a platform that can end all cancers? Isn’t this like bitcoin-level success? If this was an investment, they would be Warren Buffett.”

Young-Joon scratched his head like he was a little embarrassed.

“Now, you’ll be treated like a guest of honor in any country,” Bae Sun-Mi said.

“That’s a lot of pressure.”

Young-Joon sipped his Coke.

“Sir, why are you not drinking beer?” Jung Hae-Rim asked.

“Hm... I’m just not feeling it today.”

Young-Joon made an excuse and glanced at Rosaline, who was playing with her fingers beside the table.

‘She’s probably going to get all angry because she doesn’t want to use alcohol-filled blood vessels, right?’

Young-Joon took another sip of his Coke.

‘Hey. What are you doing?’

Young-Joon asked Rosaline.

—I’m just people-watching.

‘Is it entertaining to just stand there and stare at people’s faces like that?’

—Yes. It seems like other people enjoy it too. They are all staring at your face.

‘Huh?’

As Young-Joon looked around after hearing Rosaline, he made eye contact with five other people in the restaurant. He realized that people were stealing glances at him while drinking.

The president’s announcement had ended on television, and it was now showing Young-Joon giving a lecture at the conference.

“Um...” someone called Young-Joon from behind. It was a man with a bushy beard. He was the owner of the restaurant.

“Are you Doctor Ryu Young-Joon?” he asked while comparing Young-Joon’s face on television to his actual face.

“Yes, I am.”

“Wow,” he exclaimed in a thick voice. He stared at Young-Joon with a blank stare, then mumbled, “Wow...”

His hands trembled as if he saw something that he shouldn’t have. Then, he asked, “I-is there anything... Anything you need?”

“Pardon? Oh, no.”

“Wait, hold on. I will bring out some things on the house.”

“No, it’s fine...”

Young-Joon was about to decline, but the man had already turned his body. He ran towards the kitchen with a smile on his face.

Then, other people began to crowd Young-Joon’s table as well. They were people from the nearby tables.

“Are you really Doctor Ryu?” they asked.

“Yes, I am...”

“Wow... I am a huge fan, Doctor Ryu. Could you take a picture with my son?” asked a woman in her forties as she pulled on her son’s hand.

“Wait. Let’s not bother him while he’s eating,” said an old gentleman in his seventies from behind.

“Doctor You, if it’s alright with you, could we pay for your dinner?” asked a young couple.

“Hey!” the owner peeked out from the kitchen and suddenly shouted. “Don’t touch Doctor Ryu. And I was already going to give it to him on the house!” “...”

As Young-Joon stood there, dumbfounded, the customers went on.

“My grandmother had Alzheimer’s, but she became a lot better after your treatment.”

“My wife here had liver cancer.”

“I’ve lived with diabetes for twenty years, but my quality of life has improved a lot after taking Amuc. I have it with me right now, do you want to see it? This. It’s Amuc, right?”

In the frenzy of people talking, the owner showed up with a huge plate.

“Hahaha, Doctor Ryu,” he said as he set the plate down on Young-Joon’s table. “I was actually HIV positive.”

“...”

“My wife was HIV positive as well. I gave it to her because I didn’t know I had it. I was in agony. But now, both of us got treatment.”

“I see.”

“It’s funny how we say we were patients because just a year ago, I didn’t know we could use this phrase. Thank you so much. The fact that I’m alive and cooking here is all thanks to you, Doctor Ryu.”

Young-Joon smiled happily.

“I’m glad you are okay.”

“If it’s alright, could I get an autograph? We want to keep it at our restaurant for a long time.”

“Sure. You’re paying for our meal, so it’s the least I can do.”

“Great, thank you. Do you mind if I call my wife? She’s at home, right in front of the place, and I’m sure she would love to see you.”

“Haha, that’s not for me to decide. Please, do as you wish.”

“Wow, everyone!” the owner excitedly shouted to the customers in the restaurant. “Everything is on the house today! Eat up!”

“Wow!”

The customers clapped.

The excitement in the restaurant was in full swing.

“Sir, look at that,” Jung Hae-Rim said as she pointed to the television. Another news broadcast was on.

—Doctor Ryu Young-Joon brought an artificial tumor to the American Cancer Conference that was transplanted into a mini-small intestine designed by organoid technology. After administering APD, an immune checkpoint inhibitor, the artificial tumor was found to grow rapidly by more than sixteen times its original size in nine hours.

The screen showed the footage of the artificial tumor experiment, then people crowding the reception desk to the cancer conference, then to Jamie Anderson’s grim face.

—The European Medicines Agency is taking this very seriously and has decided to thoroughly examine the possibility of revoking APD’s approval. Moreover, they have asked hospitals to refrain from using it until they have reached a definitive conclusion.