Chapter 5    Matteo Cellini – 21st Century Cellinara - Conclusion

                                                                  Spring 2016 

The memory and impact of those moments with his father, grandfather, and the family historian as he learned about his heritage as a Cellini were burned into the psyche of Matteo Cellini forever. Matteo had learned at an early age that his life would be comfortable and full of opportunity. His parents instilled in him a sense of deep thankfulness for the personal gifts with which he had been blessed.

Through his childhood and adolescence, Matteo developed a sincere respect and feeling of awe for the Natural creation he found himself to be a part of. As a student at university, Matteo showed an eagerness for learning. His bright mind quickly absorbed information. Matteo Cellini had much to be thankful for; that realization by him was to become the driving force in his life. He felt a need to express his gratitude in ways that he hoped would please his Creator. He ultimately found that expression in the service to his community and in the need to help others.

Matteo chose to serve in the governing authority of Cellinara in any capacity for which he was qualified. Through his education in the Humanities, he had developed a deep attachment to the ideals upon which Cellinara had been founded. At the age of twenty-nine, Matteo had passed the strict nominee qualifications that were used to screen candidates for the position on The High Council. After being chosen by the House of Selectors, he took a position as a lawmaker, where he built a respectable reputation.

Matteo initiated several pieces of legislation that served to expand and improve the educational system, legislation that provided new advanced research facilities at the University of Cellinara, legislation that expanded the research and development capabilities of the Office of Defense and Security, and legislation that enhanced the capabilities of the local security teams of the various districts.

Matteo, after eight years of exemplary service on the High Council, requested an additional position on the Judges Advisory Panel as a counselor pro tempore; a position that was available to those who had a special interest in a piece of legislation that the Advisory Panel would research before being passed to the Judges Council of Final Review. The counselor pro tempore would join the discussions and contribute whatever productive input the counselor had to offer.

He decided to join the Advisory Panel discussions upon learning about the initiative that had been presented to the Advisory Panel regarding the possibility of expanding restrictions on candidates applying for residency and commune membership. The idea of implementing a program of genetic screening for these candidates had raised controversial questions of morality and the touchy subject of social engineering.

Before that time, the restrictions placed upon candidates for residency and membership in the commune had been limited to IQ testing, background checks, personality assessment, a family background review, and a review of personal and professional references, along with a series of evaluation interviews made at various points in the candidate's conditional period of membership.

The initiative that came before the Advisory Panel had recommended genetic screening that would limit the field of candidates to those who possessed specific genetic markers that placed them in the descent lineage of a particular strain of biological ancestors who had a historic record of being linked to a specific evolutionary survival strategy, namely those who were included in what scientists called haplogroup R1b-U152.

That survival strategy included high intelligence, as reflected in the innovative ideas devised to protect the clan, including physical tools and other survival-related objects and behaviors. Additionally, it demonstrated intelligence through cooperative behavior and other systems of cooperative actions that served to make the clan a well-functioning and cohesive group of individuals. Also included in that survival strategy would be the indication of an instinct to plan ahead and devise new adaptive behaviors and group strategies that would benefit the clan as a whole. Such a group of Iron Age people did exist.

They were the descendants of the Indo-Europeans who populated the Pontic-Caspian steppes around 6000 years ago in the Neolithic period. These were the people who were among the first to use wheeled carriages powered by domesticated horses and oxen. Some descendants of this group entered central and western Europe around 4500 years ago. From this group, another group splintered off and migrated into northern and central Italy around 3200 years ago. This group developed into the Villanovan Culture around 2700 years ago, an early Iron Age culture that came to be known as the Etruscan civilization.

Modern genetic scientists have categorized the genetically unique Etruscans as belonging to haplogroup R1b-U152, the people who eventually became the Romans. They were a highly evolved, hardy, intelligent, and adaptive group of people who had formed complex, organized social orders and a highly developed culture. This group was concentrated mainly along the western part of central Italy that bordered the Tyrrhenian Sea and extended inland to the Apennines. They occupied the land that eventually became known as the region of Tuscany. This was the genetic group the initiative had referred to.

                                       Coffee at the Meeting Hall

Matteo thought about this initiative as he walked along the tree-lined terra cotta street that led to the Meeting Hall near the central business district of Cellinara. He had thoroughly enjoyed his Saturday morning walk and was looking forward to meeting his friends for breakfast.

Matteo entered the fifteenth-century Meeting Hall and walked to the open-air patio cafeteria that had been added only two hundred years earlier through funding by the Banking Council under the direction of a distant relative of Matteo. He joined his three friends who were arriving. They shook hands and exchanged light and friendly words, then sat as the waiter poured hot coffee and tea and placed a platter of warm biscuits, fruit slices, and jellies on the table, then left the four to their business until they beckoned him later for the breakfast order. It was a routine the wait staff had learned.

"Another beautiful day in our city, my friends," Matteo opened the conversation with a broad smile. "But then, in this city every day is beautiful, isn't it?" he added. Matteo's handsome appearance and wide smile always put people at ease. He was always well-dressed, well-mannered, and spoke with a deep, manly voice that matched his husky, athletic build. His black mustache and his wavy black hair added an accent to the debonair casualness he consistently displayed. He had always been a ladies' man, but men had always respected him for his sharp mind, strong sense of self-confidence, and leadership talent.

Ernesto replied, "That is a wonderful comment, Matteo. Yes, it is indeed."

Bishop Rionetti clasped his hands in a prayer pose. "Yes, it is. Thank God for that."

Anzio chuckled and nodded in agreement.

Bishop Joseph Rionetti, Ernesto Orsini, and Anzio Caraco had known Matteo Cellini for many years as they grew up together and attended several of the same classes at university. The four families were close, and the four youngsters shared many activities. The three men were attached to Cellinara as closely as was Matteo.

Only two years separated the youngest of them, Anzio, from the oldest, Bishop Rionetti. Joseph Rionetti was a sitting Judge on the Judges Council, while Ernesto served on the High Council along with Matteo. Anzio worked as Director of the Office of Defense and Security and held a secondary position as Chief Technical Advisor to the Department of Experimental Research Division at that same Office.

"So, Matteo," Bishop Rionetti began, as he prepared his tea, "this matter of the initiative that came before the Advisory Panel recently, the one suggesting adding genetic restrictions to new admission candidates, do you feel it needs serious discussion, or do you feel it may be rejected for further consideration?"

Joseph Rionetti was liked and respected by all who knew him. His credentials were a mile long, his mind a mile deep. His facial expression always showed a warm smile; his speaking tone was always disarming and soothing. Joseph tended to use his hands to emphasize points he was making when speaking.

"Joseph," Matteo began, "the suggestion in my opinion is a valid one and should be considered. I know there is much controversy around this idea, but it needs serious debate and research. You know, Joseph," Matteo paused as he wiped coffee drops from his perfectly trimmed mustache, "objections based on moral grounds to an idea that could very possibly make this community more cohesive and resilient to destabilizing forces would not really be taken seriously by the Judges, in my opinion.

"Traditionally, they focus on the rational and logical merits of any initiative. That is their job, of course, to be objective and intelligent in their approach to reviewing any matter before them. Why should this one be any different? As a Judge, Joseph, do you have any preconceived notions about this idea, or are you willing to objectively consider what the Advisory Panel finds in the research?"

"Matt, of course, if this comes before the Judges, I am willing to give it objective consideration. You know, we are ethically bound to prioritize the interests of the community, but we are also human. As a Bishop in the Christian Church, I have been trained to view issues of morality through the lens of a Christian. However, as you know, I did go through the rigors of nominee evaluation before I was allowed to sit with the Judges. I did swear I would prioritize the interests of the community over any personal qualms I may harbor about an issue.

"I would say to you that acting according to my oath as a Judge is also a moral obligation, one which I must place as a priority before all others when I give my opinion on any matter of final review. The other Judges respect me enough to know that my opinion will be formed not as a Bishop, but as a trustee serving the ideals of the community. I am comfortable with prioritizing my values to align with the ideals of Cellinara." Joseph spoke confidently and persuasively, as usual.

Matteo turned to face Ernesto, who had just finished devouring his jelly-topped warm biscuit. "Ernesto, we have talked about this only casually. I have begun a position as counselor pro tempore on the Advisory Panel, aiming to contribute to the discussions and offer relevant points for consideration on this initiative. Do you feel the idea presented is a viable one? Is it immoral in your view to allow genetic testing to be a determinant in the admission process?"

Ernesto returned his cup to the table after washing down the biscuit. "Matt, I agree that the cohesiveness of the community must be protected. You are well aware that the Unity Project resolution marked a significant redefining moment in Cellinara's development history. It served to highlight the very essence of what we stand for as a community."

Ernesto continued, "Yes, I feel that if it can be shown that cohesiveness would be enhanced through genetic selection, then it would be logical to implement such a process. However, it has not yet been shown to do that. I do feel, however, that the initiative does present the possibility of an enhanced benefit to the community.

"Therefore, yes, I do agree that it should be brought before the Advisory Panel and researched and discussed. It would not be a waste of time, in my opinion. And do not forget, the Unity Project resolution does have philosophical ramifications which should be explored as they arise. Those ramifications should be addressed as needed. Yes, I suggest bringing it to the Panel and allowing it to be discussed. And no, I cannot say this is a moral issue. It seems to me to be strictly a matter of pragmatism, not morality."

Ernesto was a tall, handsome man who gave a first impression of being royalty. He sported a well-trimmed goatee and a black short stovepipe topper and used a walking stick with a shiny brass finish with a sculpted grip made from cocobolo rosewood. His speech was measured and tinged with an elegant style.

"I agree, it certainly is not a moral issue," began Anzio, who had been sitting quietly, listening to every word as he ate his biscuit and sipped coffee. Anzio was the youngest of the four at thirty-six. Anzio had the appearance of a rugged military type, tall and athletically built with a blondish buzz cut and a sort of no-nonsense facial expression. He spoke with a raspy voice and always gave a crushing handshake.

"My work, as you know, is in technology and science, and I am probably not as qualified as the rest of you are to speak to the philosophical and legal issues this initiative presents, but I can clearly see this is not a moral issue. I can understand how Joseph may have personal qualms being a leader of a Church that focuses on ethical issues, but, as he says, his duty as a Judge is to prioritize his values to align with the ideals of the community, which is entrusting him to make the right kinds of decisions as a matter of honoring an oath.

"But, again, I see no reason to perceive this as a moral issue, so I agree with Ernesto on that point. Also, I believe the initiative deserves to be heard and decided upon, as it certainly falls within the scope of the Unity Project resolution. If for no other reason, in my opinion, the idea of genetic selection should be heard and discussed to clarify further what the resolution may imply with respect to maintaining the cohesiveness and homogeneity of the community. That, it seems to me, is particularly important and certainly relevant." Anzio looked around to gauge the reactions to his comment. "Matteo, what are your thoughts? You have not really made that clear," he added.

Matteo swallowed the last of his coffee and replied, "I think it may be construed to be a moral issue, but the effect the implementation of the idea may have or may not have upon the well-being of the community, I feel, is most important. After all, the welfare of many people may be at stake here, and being so, it presents itself as a moral issue of sorts, now, doesn't it? So, of course, it should be debated and handed to the Judges for final review. That being said, I do intend to bring up the point regarding the scope and reach of the Unity Project resolution at the Advisory Panel discussions. Yes, I agree with your comment, Anzio, that it is indeed relevant."

The four continued their discussion on several other minor issues while enjoying their breakfast and second cups of coffee. As usual, their meeting concluded with a short game of shuffleboard on the open court adjacent to the patio.

The research and debate on the initiative would take several days of work. Matteo delivered his thoughts in a prepared speech before the Advisory Panel. He focused on the idea of genetic testing as being a corollary of the Unity Project resolution, an extension of what the resolution logically implied.