Next is a molecular biology thriller set in a world where genetic sequences are privatized and human cells are patented property. The narrative follows a broad cast of characters, including a family fleeing corporate bounty artists who claim ownership of their unique genetic markers and a scientist who develops a transgenic chimpanzee capable of human speech. The plot links together various lawsuits, laboratory accidents, and unethical experiments to illustrate how laws regarding biotechnology often benefit private investors over individual bodily autonomy or public health.
This book serves readers interested in the ethics of the biotechnology industry and the legal complexities of synthetic biology. It attracts those who enjoy fast-paced fiction grounded in technical research and documented legal precedents. Readers come away with a clearer understanding of how gene-splicing technology functions alongside the commercial struggles for control over biological data. It provides a cynical look at how the intersection of capitalism and science impacts the fundamental definition of what it means to be human in the twenty-first century.
Outward-looking, growth-minded and escapist; a moderate read.
Best for readers like The Curious Generalist. Which reader are you?
- Published
- 2006
- Language
- EN
