Syndrome

The Syndrome is a mysterious auto-immune illness that strikes very young children. It seems to be a strictly childhood disease and no child with it has survived past the age of 9. There is no known cure, and the cause is undetermined. Theoretically, it is caused by the lack of natural diseases on the Stations, which would cause a child to build up antibodies. It may also be caused by the lack of fresh air, sunshine, and other "Earth-like" factors that are missing on the Stations. The Syndrome is a dreaded disease among the Station- dwellers, mostly since it is a death sentence. Some parents have abandoned their children to the care of the health care system, and the children are put in "Syndrome Wards". The leading researcher on the Syndrome, Dr. Vasquez, was one of the driving forces behind the Eden Project. He led a team of researchers which included Julia Heller. Vasquez was stuck on the Colony Ship due to the unplanned early departure from the Stations.