A No Sunburn Beach Day
The morning sun had barely crept over the horizon, but it was already a relentless force in the sky which thrusted itself against the shimmering solar panels lining Klara’s apartment balcony.
Inside, Marlon was already geared up for their long-awaited beach day. He zipped around the living room, a living dynamo, with a colorful beach towel trailing behind him like a superhero's cape.
"Beach day! Beach day!" he chanted.
Klara’s brow furrowed as she checked the weather from her smartwatch. The UV index numbers glowed with a menacing crimson -- a stark warning against prolonged exposure.
"Marlon, hold on a second," she said with concern. "Look at this. The UV index is dangerously high today. We can't go out in this kind of sun without proper protection."
Marlon’s grin quickly turned into a pout.
"But Mom, you promised! I've been waiting all week!"
"I know, honey, and we will go. But we need to be smart about it," she reassured him, kneeling down to meet his gaze. "Remember, we're going to that bio-tech clinic first. They have that new sunscreen treatment we talked about."
Marlon’s eyes widened and curiosity replaced his disappointment.
"The kind that lives on your skin?"
"Exactly. We need to get it before we go bake in the sun."
"Will it hurt?" he asked apprehensively.
"No, I don't think so."
"Okay, let's go Mom!" he shouted, his enthusiasm having returned.
Klara smiled, relieved to have averted a full-blown tantrum.
"Alright my little explorer, let's go see what this new technology can do," she said, grabbing her bag.
The bio-tech clinic, "SkinShimmer", was full of sleek, white surfaces and softly glowing holographic displays. Klara and Marlon stepped into the cool, sterile environment. She wiped her forehead, which was full of sweat even after the short walk from the bus station.
A friendly, middle-aged man approached them with a warm smile.
"You must be Klara and Marlon," he greeted them, extending a hand. "I'm Dr. Sam Zakaria. Welcome."
"Thank you," Klara replied, shaking his hand. "We're hear for the Solprotector cutis."
"Yes, of course, especially on a day like today. Let's get you both set up."
He led them to a comfortable, semi-circular booth, where a gentle mist filled the air.
"This is the application chamber. The mist contains the Solprotector cutis bacteria. It's a strain of the Deinococcus radiodurans. These bacteria are normally highly resistant to radiation, but we've bioengineered them to produce a specialized melanin-like compound."
"So they live on our skin and make sunscreen?" Marlon asked.
"Yes," Dr. Zakaria chuckled. "But it's more than sunscreen. The bacteria integrate with your skin's existing microbiome, forming a symbiotic relationship. They're light-sensitive, so they only produce this protective compound when exposed to UV radiation. Think of them as tiny, intelligent sunblock factories."
Klara raised an eyebrow.
"And are you certain this is safe? What about the long-term effects?"
"Those are excellent questions," Dr. Zakaria nodded. "We've conducted extensive trials. Deinococcus radiodurans is well-studied and we've been careful about making modifications. The melanin-like compound they produce is biocompatible and degrades naturally. We've also incorporated a sort of 'kill switch' — a specific wavelength of light that doesn't appear outside but can deactivates the bacteria if necessary. It can be administered here at the clinic."
"And the integration with the microbiome? Is there a risk of disrupting the natural balance?" Klara pressed.
"That's a valid concern," Dr. Zakaria acknowledged. "But we've engineered the bacteria to be highly specific. They only target the outermost layer and don't penetrate deeper. They're also programmed to self-regulate their population, maintaining a stable equilibrium. In the future, we hope to provide additional strains that can perform functions like vitamin D production or even perform skin repair. But we are taking one step at a time, following all regulations."
"That's reassuring," Klara said, feeling relieved that her concerns were heard. "So, when can we be ready for the beach?"
"Just a few more minutes, so that the bacteria can fully integrate," Dr. Zakaria gestured to a holographic display that showed a microscopic view of the bacteria on her skin. "Then you'll be good to go. But remember, even with this advanced protection, it won't prevent you from overheating so make sure to take precautions."
The beach was a kaleidoscope of vibrant colors and joyful sounds. Marlon, freed from the constraints of sticky sunscreens and reapplications, plunged into the waves with unrestrained glee. Klara watched from her beach chair as a gentle breeze messed up her hair.
She felt relaxed knowing the Solprotector curtis allowed Marlon to play in the sun without a hint of redness or discomfort.
Marlon built elaborate sandcastles and chased after seagulls with his mouth growing tired from laughing so much. Other children, their faces smeared with traditional sunblock, eyed him with curiosity and envy. The bio-tech was still relatively new, but its benefits were increasingly apparent.
As the sun began its descent, it painted the sky in streaks of orange and purple. Klara and Marlon packed up their belongings. Marlon walked beside his mother back to the bus station, chattering about his adventures.
"Mom, that was the best beach day ever!" he exclaimed, his eyes shining brightly.
Klara ran a hand over his smooth, cool skin.
"I'm glad you had fun, honey. And you didn't even get burned."
As they boarded the solar-powered bus that would take them back to their apartment, Klara glanced at Marlon’s reflection in the window. His skin was healthy and glowing, and she was happy she had made the right choice.