"Next" though nothing could be judged from the name,but it is an interesting novel comprising of
science fiction.Here is its summary.We live in a time of staggering advances in science, medicine, and
research. Problems and conditions that were crippling and
life-threatening years ago are now close to being eradicated or
controlled by medicine and advances in science. All of this progress is
wonderful, but have you ever stopped to wonder what price we may have
to pay in order to receive these benefits?
Michael Crichton’s Next takes place in the present world, where
both the government and private investors spend billions of dollars
every year on
genetic research. The novel follows a host of characters,
including
transgenic animals, in their quest to survive in a world
dominated by genetic research, corporate greed, and legal intervention.
Crichton explores the legal issues surrounding genetic research
and questioning the control the court can exert on individuals. BioGen
is a leading genetic research company embroiled in a lawsuit with Frank
Burnet, a cancer survivor whose cells were taken without his knowledge.
The company claims they bought the rights to the cells and that Frank
no longer has the right to profit from their sale. After the court
decides in BioGen’s favor, Frank disappears and BioGen asserts they own
the rights to the Burnet cell line, including the cells of Frank’s
daughter and grandson. BioGen then decides to harvest the cells from
Alex and Jamie Burnet with or without their consent, causing Alex to
flee with her son.
BioGen is also researching what they call the "maturity" gene
and the effects exposure to this gene has on lab rats. Josh, a
researcher at BioGen, accidentally exposes his drug addicted brother to
the gene. His brother becomes a sober, responsible individual, which
causes Josh’s mother to spread the good news of this miracle cure to
her friends and relatives. Josh must then decide if he will expose the
gene to these people illegally. He knows that this
treatment does seem
to cure addiction, but he is unsure of how people will be affected by
the treatment in the long run. Is it better to try to help without
knowing the consequences, or should he refuse to help until he knows
more about the treatment?
Henry Kendall is a genetic researcher who learns that the half
human, half ape embryo he implanted in an ape years ago actually
resulted in a transgenic ape-child. Henry and his family struggle to
raise the boy, Dave, as they attempt to hide the true nature of the
boy''s genetic makeup. However, Dave is not the only transgenic
character in the book. A transgenic parrot named Gerard and a talking
orangutan in Sumatra also figure prominently in the novel.
Does the government have adequate checks and balances on the
genetic research currently being conducted in the United States? Is the
legal system spiraling out of control and usurping the rights
guaranteed in the Constitution? Next is a novel that poses more
questions that it could possibly answer and allows the reader to
question their own beliefs and convictions. Its a novel which is very suitable for inquisitive minded people.
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