Molecular biology has developed in rapid leaps. Scientists have cleaned the human genome of the future from many diseases. They rejuvenated the elderly, put seemingly hopelessly paralyzed patients back on their feet. And then they began not just to correct, but to modify the person. But where will this crooked path lead? A pitiful bunch of survivors of a nuclear war are trying to settle on an alien planet under an alien sun. There is no way back for them: the ark is not designed for a return journey. They have nothing with them except knowledge, but that is quite enough. Only knowledge is not always useful.