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Donor & Monique



Zurich’s global status stays on revolutionary research, particularly in molecular biology, brain research, anthropology, and on the work of the University Hospital and Veterinary…



Ph.D. in Computer Science from well-known Swiss Inst of Tech in Zurich, Switzerland, Hans Rudolf Simon (born 1957) was professor of computer science at the Dept of Informatics, University of Zurich, and boss of the Artificial Intelligence Laboratory. A visionary to contribute – make the world a better place … in coming century.



Lot of twists and turns to reach this position, he enjoyed his occupation, pursued further studies in foreign universities. Three years as a post-doctoral fellow at Carnegie M and Yale University in the U.S. To his credit belongs number of books on intelligent set up, robotic mind.



His research curiosities comprise Come to life Cognitive Science, Bio-robotics, Self-directed agents-portable robots, Artificial Life, Morphology/morph-functional machines, Situated Design, Emotion, and what not…



Brilliant a figure shaped the way thought, tall handsome Hans remembered his student days… nothing deterred him accumulate knowledge. Not even pecuniary paucity relating ambitious projects that he was the fourth child from seven and his father’s earning, modest.    



In Bern, Monique the sweet girl, mother’s dream and father’s jewel. A sparkling teenager scored best in school. However, suddenly strange uncertainty struck her. ‘Sort of puberty misgivings’ dismissed her caring parents.



Ron’s attraction towards classmate Monique failed him grasp her deep green eyes peppered cerulean. Often Monique sank into an art mental state of perceiving, particularly a relationship between self, and a strange another. No, he was not Ron. She loved him though in a different way. Bliss unbound when he planted his tender kisses on her passionate lips.



Way back from school resolute that day, she confronted her mother, ‘Tell me ma, who am I?’ Freeing her mind hurled, ‘did you betray dad and conceive me? Monique nagged her Mom aghast to tears and reveal. Thunderstruck Monique chucked school and hit the road.



Monique’s father consoled his weeping wife, ‘let her go, let her know, stop her can aggravate grief,’ wisely. Heartbroken Mom learnt the irony ‘Ignorance is Bliss’ nightmares, drying to sense.



‘Why Mama, we have no Grandpa visiting us for Christmas like Tommy?’ Jena and Salina cuddled Monique, tossing the dreaded question in unison. Ron and Monique married. They had two lovely daughters full of curiosity bubbles.



Year and half’s sojourn to the Himalayas spiritually enriched, she returned, fulfilling studies to decent career, and family, ‘If she only knew the answer,’ but these were her moments of anguish, unable to clarify. Was she herself not a jig saw puzzle? Not knowing who the donor to fertilize her being into an embryo… she lucky to have her own mother‘s secure womb to grow into - but a frozen truth half.



Blame the not biological father would be unfair. Anew crept adolescence crave, to know gripped, now she was mature enough.



Yen for fact led her to Church in Zurich, further in search of a doctor’s chamber… to frustration. Ages the chamber closed down, records over 10 yrs automatically destroyed. Retired doctor who treated her mother, located, he advised Monique, ‘abandon the futile search’ which increased her thirst and aches.



Monique’s sad account found sympathetic ears, the local TV aired pleading, to assist search. Any clue a welcome. A man responding remembered sperm donors mostly students and particularly one qualifying donated in lieu... sustain ambition.



Searches for that particular student traced Prof Hans Rudolf Simon. Time Monique corresponded with the great scientist.



She wrote to him explaining: Consciousness: (It has been defined from a biological and causal perspective as the act of autonomously modulating attention and divisional effort, usually with the goal of obtaining, retaining, or maximizing specific limits, such as food, a safe environment, family, or mates…) Simply desiring an interview to face her biological… ahem! No not a father but a person still alive, intrinsic in her genetic.



Not that her letter was public, its heart verified, poignant, ridiculous or…. Monique waited nervously for a reply. Trembling fingers tore the envelope with sender: - Prof Hans Rudolf Simon, sheathing full page disillusionment. Polite refusals to her wish fulfilment. Not attempt to meet him, caring for mutual respect, neither confirming nor denying whether the donor ... left her bewildered.



General phraseology, consciousness a fragment too, denotes awake and responsive to the environment, in contrast to being asleep or in a coma. Under which of the above perception moved had stubborn Monique to see him? As student disguised she attended Prof Rudolf’s famous lecture, designing the 21st Century Artificial intelligence.



Monique’s gaze stalked Prof as he paced sides, back, forth, hoping to grab his attention. ‘Sir, issues of practical concern includes how the presence of consciousness can be assessed in severely ill individuals… could you elaborate please?’ She blew vocal on Prof Hans Rudolf Simon, in eye contact.



In split seconds, ‘Of what awareness is, to what extent and in what sense it exists, remains subject of much research in philosophy of mind, psychology, neuroscience, cognitive science, and artificial intelligence…’ was the replying Prof conscious at all?



Like the Rock of Gibraltar motionless Monique sat icy moments, unable to concentrate. Her turbulent mind piqued to feel half of her part from a sperm bank cold storage. Camouflaged tranquil a close look into her eyes revealed, unrest. ‘It is him, surely him, am sure he recognized’ choked Monique, but scared of a showdown, stuck to secrecy.



She surely had a right to know the biological producer… of her being on earth. Charged with emotional hope hankering for … plunged another effort to fasten the unknown… Monique wrote excitedly again, revealing her locked eye to eye touch, that day in class.



This time too Monique received the much awaited letter but from Prof Hans Rudolf Simon’s secretary. Through him, the Scientist professor threatened legal action and consequences if Monique pursued further contact.



Stunned to void, Monique was utterly defeated, ‘what kind of creature is this person why seek such a being anymore?’ Thanking the helpful TV sender, she relinquished objective to interact with possibly her half biological… whose gene she inherited... only if she knew.