It's the year 2033.

A team of four scientists discovers a substance in the blood of newts that appears to induce empathy. They call it Empathol. Its unlikely antidote is salt, which, when consumed in excess, makes people selfish. The discovery goes public, and Empathol soon becomes the drug of choice among the rich and powerful, who use it to manipulate others. Eventually, the four researchers themselves fall victim to what they have unleashed. But one day, the nightmare finally comes to an end.