More in the medical vein from the creator of ER than in the science-fiction of his Jurassic Park and Timeline, this is a longish but fast-reading book of short chapters speculating on many of the real perils of genetic research. Cover blurbs are not terribly helpful in sizing up Michael Crichton's book. It wasn't what I expected, but it was entertaining and, I'm certain as intended, enlightening.
Chrichton sets a dozen subplots spiraling through the book focusing on the worst aspects of genetic research. There are bounty hunters sent after a woman and her son for genetic samples the company that sent them out claims are theirs; a youngster who is a genetic mix of human and chimpanzee taken in by his creator; an advertiser proposing to his client that fish be genetically modified so they flash flourescent commercial logos; universities using taxpayer money to pay for genetic research which they can then sell to private corporations; a talking parrot with a vocabulary way beyond what he should possess; a young woman shaking down a scientist who donated sperm for pay while in college, claiming he owes her as her biological parent and the source of her drug-dependency genes; universities who identify and patent genes that cause disease then extort huge licensing fees from those seeking a cure; the many genetic test subjects who die quietly because those responsbile can claim publicity would threaten trade secrets; and more.
It's what science fiction writer Robert Heinlein used to call an "if this goes on" type of story, although as Crichton indicates in his appendix, many of these stories are solidly rooted in fact, such as the extortion by universities who patent disease-causing genes.
Very disquieting. Good book.
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