"Can the parents accept it?" Tang Shun worried, "Such a complex plan, it sounds like an experint..."
"I’ll talk to them." Yang Ping closed his notebook, "But before that, we need everyone to have absolute confidence in the plan. Any doubts, bring them up now."
The eting room was silent for half a minute. Chu Xiaoxiao raised her hand, "Professor, do we have a more conservative option? Like trying standard biologic combination therapy first, and if that doesn’t work then..."
"Pingping’s condition can’t wait," Yang Ping said calmly but firmly, "His latest test shows that vasculitis has already started affecting the kidneys. The traditional plan has limited effect on him, and side effects are already appearing. We have a theoretical window to try a new path. This path has risks, but the risk of waiting is greater."
He looked around the eting room, "I know this sounds bold. But the core tenet of systemic regulation theory is that for complex diseases, we need complex but precise solutions. If we ourselves don’t believe, how can we make the patients believe?"
Tang Shun said seriously, "Of course we believe, dicine has advanced to where it is today, answers for simple problems have already been found. What remains are the complex problems. If we use simple approaches to solve complex problems, that is the real risk."
Jiang Jitong nodded, "I believe too. At least it’s a logically coherent plan that respects systemic complexity."
Everyone raised their hands in agreent.
"Then it’s settled," Yang Ping said, "Tomorrow I’ll talk to Pingping’s parents. If they agree, treatnt starts next week."
The conversation with Pingping’s parents was arranged in a small eting room at the institute. Yang Ping did not bring his team, it was just him and the two parents.
He spent a full two hours explaining, in the simplest way, how complex Pingping’s condition was, why traditional treatnts were ineffective, and the principles of their proposed new plan. He showed those complex data graphs but used taphors for the parents to understand: Pingping’s immune system was like a disordered symphony orchestra, so instrunts were too loud, so were completely silent, and what they needed to do was to retune, not smash so instrunts.
"The risk is great," Yang Ping finally said honestly, "Although we have done a lot of calculations and simulations, the human body is more complex than any model. Unpredictable adverse reactions may occur, and it could even worsen the situation."
Pingping’s mother had eyes red with tears, "What if we don’t treat?"
"According to the current progression, irreversible kidney damage will occur within six months, and dialysis may be needed within a year," Yang Ping spoke softly, but each word was clear, "After that, more organs will be affected. Optimistically, the survival period is no more than five years."
The father gripped his wife’s hand tightly, "If treated... what is the best outco?"
"We don’t know," Yang Ping answered honestly, "Because this is the first attempt, but theoretically, if successful, Pingping’s immune system may restore to a balanced state, the disease activity could be controlled, he could grow normally, go to school, even realize his dream of watching a rocket launch."
"And the worst outco?"
"Serious adverse reactions during treatnt, accelerated disease progression, or the onset of new problems," Yang Ping looked them in the eyes, "I must tell you all this."
The eting room fell into a long silence. Outside the window ca the chirping of birds on the banyan tree in the institute’s yard, crisp and vibrant, in stark contrast to the heaviness inside.
"Professor Yang," the father finally spoke, voice hoarse, "We don’t understand, so please, you help us choose, we trust you."
Yang Ping said clearly, "Our entire team will do our utmost, but we cannot make the choice for you."
The mother wiped away her tears and looked at her husband. In that look were fear, hesitation, but finally, a determined resolve.
"We agree," the father said, "but we have one request."
"Please, go ahead."
"Throughout the treatnt, regardless of the outco, please tell us the whole truth," the mother continued, "Don’t hide it, don’t sugarcoat it. Pingping is very smart, he should also know what’s happening, in a way he can understand."
Yang Ping solemnly nodded, "This is our most basic principle."
Pingping will be admitted to the hospital in three days.
On the morning when Pingping was to be admitted, Tang Shun received an unexpected call.
The caller ID showed an international number from Sweden. Picking it up, it was Professor Carlson, the chairman of the Nobel Committee himself.
"Doctor Tang, sorry to disturb you so early," Carlson’s voice sounded sowhat tired, "There is a situation, I want to communicate directly with Professor Yang Ping, but his phone hasn’t been answered."
Tang Shun glanced at his watch; it should be two o’clock in the morning in Sweden, "Professor Carlson, it’s late at night, you—"
"I know, but I need to reach him imdiately," Carlson’s tone was grave, "The committee has just received a formal complaint from a patient rights organization in Europe. They claim that Professor Yang Ping’s systemic regulation theory, in clinical application, has ’systemic risk concealnt,’ and accuse the team of continuing unverified treatnt attempts despite knowing the potential for irreversible damage."
Tang Shun’s heart sank, "Is this based on those three adverse reaction cases from Europe? We have already publicly responded and invited an independent review."
"It’s more than that," Carlson interrupted him, "The complaint includes seven new anonymous cases, claiming various serious issues appeared after receiving treatnt based on the systemic regulation concept. The complaint docunt is eighty pages long, with so dical records presented, looking very professional."
"That’s impossible!" Tang Shun blurted out, "All our clinical collaborations have strict agreents, if there are new adverse reactions, cooperation centers must report to us within 24 hours. So far, we haven’t received any additional adverse reaction reports besides the three cases."
"That’s precisely the problem, they did not go through your training, nor are they your cooperation centers, using the systemic regulation treatnt without authorization, claiming the technology leaked from you," Carlson said.
"Where is Professor Yang? Carlson asked.
"He should be in the ward, a new patient is being admitted today," Tang Shun replied.
"Please be sure to report to Professor Yang as soon as possible," Carlson paused for a mont, "Doctor Tang, we fully believe this unauthorized experintal treatnt is unrelated to you, but if not handled properly, it could easily affect the reputation of your theory, causing a revolutionary theory to be maligned, so you must treat it with utmost seriousness."
After hanging up, Tang Shun stood still for a few seconds, then rushed to the ward area.
He found Yang Ping in the ward prepared specifically for Pingping. Pingping had already changed into a hospital gown and was sitting on the bed drawing, while his parents were tidying things up nearby.
"Professor!" Tang Shun lowered his voice.
Yang Ping imdiately understood sothing had happened; he nodded to Pingping’s parents and stepped into the office with Tang Shun.
After listening to Tang Shun’s report, Yang Ping’s expression did not change at all.
"Seven anonymous cases?" Yang Ping repeated.
"Professor Carlson said, the complaint docunt looks very professional, with so dical records attached," Tang Shun calmly reported, "It’s entirely deliberate, aiming to mislead the public into attributing these adverse reactions to us?"
Yang Ping just murmured in acknowledgnt.
"What should we do now? Should Pingping’s treatnt still comnce?"
Yang Ping didn’t hesitate, "The treatnt starts on ti, Pingping’s condition can’t wait."
"Though it’s malicious, if the complaint escalates and the dia spins it, it could impact—"
"dical decisions should be based on patient needs, not the direction of public opinion," Yang Ping turned to face Tang Shun, "Contact all formal cooperation centers to confirm if there are any unreported adverse reactions; have Zhang Lin prepare a statent, focusing on ’we welco evidence-based oversight, and firmly oppose any unfounded malicious accusations’; arrange a video conference with Professor Carlson this afternoon for ."
"And about Pingping here..."
"I’m here," Yang Ping said, "I’ll personally oversee the first phase of the treatnt plan, you handle the external issues, leave the internal to ."
"Understood." Tang Shun nodded, turned, and walked briskly away.
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