 Once the experiment is complete and the defence (a force field generator) is built and successfully tested, he commits suicide.Later, the man who assembled the force field generator, who never spoke to Ralson and did not know about his beliefs, also kills himself.Stating that the story "provided a poignant insight into the emotional stress and sense of isolation of many of the best theoretical scientists", Carl Sagan in 1978 listed "Breeds There a Man...?"