A transgenic parrot named Gerard and a talking orangutan in Sumatra also figure prominently in the novel.ĭoes 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? However, Dave is not the only transgenic character in the book. Henry and his family struggle to raise the boy, Dave, as they attempt to hide the true nature of the boy's genetic makeup.
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. Is it better to try to help without knowing the consequences, or should he refuse to help until he knows more about the treatment? 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. Josh must then decide if he will expose the gene to these people illegally. 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, a researcher at BioGen, accidentally exposes his drug addicted brother to the gene. BioGen then decides to harvest the cells from Alex and Jamie Burnet with or without their consent, causing Alex to flee with her son.īioGen is also researching what they call the "maturity" gene and the effects exposure to this gene has on lab rats. 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. The company claims they bought the rights to the cells and that Frank no longer has the right to profit from their sale. 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 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.Ĭrichton explores the legal issues surrounding genetic research and questioning the control the court can exert on individuals. 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. 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? 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. We live in a time of staggering advances in science, medicine, and research.
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