Umbrella Labs.
Dr. Connors walked into Sean's office with a worried expression, holding that morning's newspaper. The owner of the laboratory stood before the bright windows, looking down at his private kingdom.
"Doctor, you don't look well. I heard from Dr. Helen Cho that the cross-species genetics research has been progressing smoothly and is only one step away from success."
Sean turned to look at Connors. Worry and anxiety filled the eyes of the one-armed middle-aged man, so much so that he had forgotten to knock before barging into the office.
"Or has Umbrella Labs run into some problem that's giving you such a headache?" he asked softly, a gentle smile on his face.
"Sean, the Metis Serum hasn't broken through... Many public hospitals and pharmaceutical manufacturers are unwilling to cooperate with Osborn. Two-thirds of the original pre-sale orders have also been refunded and canceled..."
After hesitating, Connors handed Sean the latest newspaper. Its headline featured Senator Kelly, who had recently been in the spotlight, criticizing and opposing genetic medicine. He believed that this method of curing diseases carried unpredictable dangers and could even cause some unforeseeable risk of mutation in the human body.
The section below also carried a joint statement from many biologists. They believed genetic medicine was not yet mature enough to cure diseases completely, often came with unknown side effects, and required careful consideration before use.
The tide of public opinion had abruptly shifted. Sean, who had been lavishly praised only days ago, now seemed at risk of falling from the clouds. Public opinion could melt metal and destroy bones; guided and fueled by those with ulterior motives, its momentum immediately pushed Osborn Industries and Umbrella Labs into the eye of the storm. Venture capital firms that had once been highly optimistic about the Metis Serum