Turtledove
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Peter Howard
Fictional Character
A Different Flesh
POD: C. 2.5-1.3 million years ago;
Relevant POD: c. 1492
Appearance(s): "Freedom"
Type of Appearance: Direct POV
Species: Human
Nationality: Federated Commonwealths of America
Date of Birth: Mid 20th century
Occupation: Physician, disease researcher
Affiliations: Terminus Disease Research Center

Peter Howard was a doctor with the Terminus Disease Research Center (DRC). In 1988, he announced a breakthrough in the treatment of AIDS and HIV. That breakthrough was HIVI (HIV inhibitor), which had proven quite effective in sims infected with HIV. His announcement set off a firestorm in the Federated Commonwealths, and reignited the debate regarding the use sims in medical research.

In the wake of the announcement, things became decidedly chaotic for Howard. A group of "sim justice" protesters were arrested in Philadelphia. Joseph Tanaka, an aide of Censor Jennings, investigated the DRC, determining to his satisfaction that the sims were being treated relatively well. And finally, a sim named Matt was "freed" by a group of sim-justice activists. Matt had shown substantial improvement while on the HIVI, and had become something of a poster child for both sides of the argument. After some months, Matt was returned, as the activists had not taken enough HIVI.

Howard continued his work. While he was not unsympathetic to the sims, he felt that human beings were more important, and the AIDS epidemic was too deadly a threat.

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