Next (2006)
By Michael Crichton
Chimera; Evolution; Extinction; Genetic code; Genetic discrimination; Genetic engineering; Genetic research; Genetic screening; Heredity; Legislation; Mutations; Science fiction; Transgenics
Crichton depicts a world identical to our own—except for the transgenic animals, gene theft, rampant gene patenting, genetic profiling in divorce/custody hearings, genetic mutation as art, and more.
At the center of this multi-plotted novel, Michael Crichton depicts the problems that arise from gene patenting. The human genome has been fully mapped and geneticists employed by a vast field of Biotechnology corporations all over the world are racing to patent single genes responsible for various human traits or conditions. As soon as a firm thinks it has identified such a gene, big-time financiers and adolescent focus groups are brought in to name and market the gene’s uses for cures to diseases and even social ills like alcoholism, anti-socialism, etc. Crichton depicts the discovery of the “maturity gene,” the “sociability gene,” the “master gene,” the “death gene” and more. One man, Frank Burnet has irregular genes that are particularly adept at fighting cancer. When the hospital at UCLA sells the cells left over from his various treatments to a big corporation for three billion dollars, Brunet tries to sue. After Burnet loses the lawsuit—the court rules that Burnet’s cells are the property of BioGen—he conspires with BioGen’s main financer, Jack Watson, to have the cells destroyed so he can sell them himself to a rival company. Then, BioGen’s CEO Rick Deihl decides to go after Burnet’s daughter and grandson Jamie, citing that they have stolen property in their bodies (their inherited genes) which belong to the company and can be claimed at any time.
Peripheral storylines also depict fascinating and thought-provoking genetic issues. Gerard, the transgenic African Gray Parrot created by Gail Bond and owned by various other characters throughout the novel, can hold conscious conversations and help his owner/creator’s child with his arithmetic homework. An orangutan in Sumatra can curse in Dutch and French and is suspected to be transgenic but later assumed to be a model of evolution. Dave, a transgenic half chimpanzee-half human child is taken into the Kendall family as a son and sibling and passed off as a human with a rare disease. Various news articles are also interspersed throughout the chapters, reporting everything from debates about the extinction of blondes, artists creating “wet art” (mutated organisms as artwork), to firms engineering massive cockroaches and perpetual puppies. Crichton weaves these multiple storylines together expertly as characters cross one another’s paths or are affected by the choices of others.
Evaluation: An excellent text for any instructor interested in allowing students to see the multifaceted aspects and effects of genetic research and experimentation. Even with its well-researched, expansive account of our current and future understanding of genetics, the novel is suspenseful and entertaining—never boring or tedious. Crichton pays particular attention to the issue of gene patenting and even includes an author’s note outlining his conclusions about legislation regarding genetics and a detailed bibliography.
– Lauren Wood Hoffer