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<\/a><\/p>\nBoth Dr. Frankenstein and Elizabeth Holmes had selfish motives when creating their creations, despite claims of wanting to better society. Victor states, \u201cA new species would bless me as its creator and source; many happy and excellent natures would owe their being to me.” Victor was not only obsessed with finding a way to cheat death, but was motivated by the idea of being revered by his very own creature. Dr. Frankenstein became overcome by ego and was convinced that he would bless humanity with the creation of his \u201cnew human.\u201d Similar to Frankenstein, Holmes was obsessed with the idea of creating a device which would test blood with \u201cone prick\u201d but was almost just as obsessed with her own fame and image of being a \u201csilicon valley billionaire.\u201d Holmes wore black turtlenecks to emulate Steve Jobs and was from a young age declared her desire to be a \u201cbillionaire\u201d when asked about her dream job. Holmes described Theranos\u2019 miniLab device as \u201cthe most important thing humanity has ever built\u201d providing a window into her egocentric attitude and an obsessive ambition which ended up crossing the line.<\/p>\n
Frankenstein and Holmes also worked in secrecy, perhaps due to the competitive nature of humans. Victor completed both his research and experiment in isolation. Elizabeth Holmes demonstrated a similar obsession with maintaining complete secrecy and control over her creation. Holmes took investors’ money only on the condition that she wouldn’t have to reveal how Theranos’ technology worked, and she would have final say over everything having to do with the company. Holmes asked that anyone who visited the company\u2019s headquarters to sign non-disclosure agreements before entering the building, and fired any employee who disagreed with her.<\/p>\n
Ultimately both Holmes and Frankenstein don\u2019t own up to their \u201cmonster\u201d creation. Holmes continues to deny that she committed fraud with Theranos, in a wholehearted belief that her company was working for the good of humanity. Victor, despite feeling guilty about creating the monster, never publicly owns up to his actions and maintains a selfish outlook on the pain that Creature caused him, rather than grasping the extent of the consequences his actions had.<\/p>\n
Frankenstein and Holmes\u2019 ambitious, obsessive and competitive nature leads them each to their own \u201cmonsters.\u201d Yet Shelley begs the question : is human ego the true monster?<\/p>\n
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