Review: Michael Crichton's Next, A Sci-Fi Novel

Is fact stranger than fiction? In this case, maybe so. Novelist, filmmaker, doctor, scientist and all-around well-educated creative mastermind Michael Crichton never fails to effectively blend modern science into a fictitious world for an exciting read. In his latest spine-tingling and -chilling novel, Next, Crichton balances the realm of the fantastic with factual advances in genetic engineering that have graced recent news media. Skillfully weaving together separate plot lines of characters who are affected in one way or another by advances in genetics, Crichton leads the reader on an exciting journey through science and ethics.

At the heart of the novel is the issue of gene patents. Frank Burnet, one of the main characters, finds himself cured of cancer without the aid of modern medicine. Without his knowledge or consent, the doctor treating him sells his genes to a pharmaceutical company for billions. In the subsequent lawsuit Burnet is out done by the fancy lawyers hired against him and his genes become someone else's property. After loosing their samples, the new owners of Frank Burnet's genes wish to obtain fresh samples and according to the courts antiquated property laws it's deemed that they have the right not only to charge Burnet with running off with stolen property (his body) when he goes into hiding, but the lawyers explain that they have the right to take his family members genes since they are essentially the same as his and a bounty hunter is brought in to do just that.

Other characters include a transgenic parrot who helps a young boy with his math homework, a part human chimpanzee who is rescued from termination by the scientist (his father) who created him, and a relentless bounty hunter sent to collect human tissues.

The world of genome research is a complicated one. Crichton manages to explain the basics without getting bogged down by details. Many of the situations feel too outrageous to be fact, but you might be surprised at some of the things mentioned in the novel that are actually real: scientists have grown a miniature ear in a lab http://www.tca.uwa.edu.au/extra/extra_ear.html, a glowing transgenic rabbit has been cloned www.genomenewsnetwork.org/articles/03_02/bunny_art.shtml, and young girls have been taking fertility drugs in order to sell their eggs for years http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/health/2006-03-15-egg-donors-usat_x.htm .

The myriad of characters and plot lines in Next can, at times, be difficult to keep up with. The action may not be quite up to par with Jurassic Park, but this fabulous satirical thriller will give you lots to think about. If you wish to become actively involved in supporting legislation to ban genetic patents there are links from the books official website at http://www.crichton-official.com/books-next-history.html.