The Gate is a short film depicting a horrific event where humans are modified via unlicensed pharmaceuticals. Using a governmental review of the event as the structure, flashing back to images of mutants and conflict with authorities, it presents how the events came about and who was effected. A brief glance at what could happen if current pharmaceutical practices continue as the ability to manufacture designer drugs become the norm.

Watching it took me back to Daryl Gregory's Afterparty and a society influenced by Chemjet printers and cheap fun drugs. Except this goes beyond the democratization of pharmaceutical manufacturing to a dark side where terrorism is handed out in pill form.

Westrup offers quotes bookending the film, each providing some context on why we should be concerned. The first is Biblical, from Matthew 7:13-14:

...for the gate that leads to damnation is wide, the road is clear, and many choose to travel it."

Here we get our title and a bit of an intro. At the end of the film, Westrup informs us that:

As many as 4 in every 10 people have purchased a product from an unregulated online source as a cheaper alternative to a legitimate prescribed equivalent.

Though full body mutations are unlikely in our futures, there is a risk of contaminated - whether accidental or purposeful - chemicals we willing put in our body, sometimes for weeks or months or year. What could a chemterrorist do to us?

You can watch the short version below or watch the full length version of The Gate on Joy Rider Films website.