This is Crichton's (MC) latest novel, published in 2006.
I've read and reviewed some of his other books (see my review on State of Fear). But to my dismay, this one doesn't rank as high as others. However, like Jurassic Park, it explodes with scenarios that become more crucial and devastating as they story rolls on!
It's about genetic engineering, eugenics, transgenics. Science reigns supreme in this suspenseful, extremely quick-paced book. Jeff read it before I did. In the book, a man develops cancer and beats it w/his own cancer-fighting cells which a biogenetic company "buys" from him (yes, they own his cell line). They are supposed to be Amgen in Westlake and they own their right to his cell line. He escapes and they hire bounty hunters to track down his daughter & grandson, feeling that his descendants' cell lines are in effect their (the company's) property. It's a game of cat and mouse to see if they will succeed in extracting blood from the boy or will the boy get away? MC clearly takes a position of being against genetic therapy, especially the idea of genetic patenting which is the main premise of this read. It's a very easy read; most of the chapters are only 2 or 3 pages, at most!
There's many stories in the book which all are related and come together at the end. The title refers to the buildup... that if we allow this to happen, then the "next" thing to happen will result in this and that. There are consequences to scientifically testing the intermingling of genes especially when you transpose human genes into animals (i.e., a "humaneeze" is born which is a combo of human/chimpanzee). This humaneeze is named Dave who's adoptive human family introduces him to their neighbors and sends him to their son's school as their other "hairy son" who has a horrible disease. A talking parrot who thinks like a person and repeats classic movie lines and who doesn't even know he is a bird ranks high on the characters in this book. This book is cutting edge, modern sci-fi. It was on the bestseller list, like so many other MC books.
There are funny moments in the book, usually in between chapters where he cites a hilarious article from an internet source (e.g., "Blondes to die out in 200 yrs" BBC News Sept. 2002)
Perhaps MC has been writing for so long and has been so utterly successful that he feels he's earned a break and can write a not so heavy novel. Don't get me wrong; the subject matter is indeed heavy and controversial. MC always writes about controversial, scientific, breaking the boundaries kind of books. Makes you think about ethics, morals, humanity, and how far we can really go before it becomes totally out of control.
I do agree with his belief that genes cannot be patented and that we own our own cells, tissue and body.
I rate it just three stars
due to MC disappointing me in his style of writing. I like the premise (who really owns one's genes; can they be patented and marketed?) Just though it could've been a bit more thought out. Didn't like the way too brief chapters, made it choppy and almost like a children's book. I thought MC put more thought into his author's note at the end where he gives his own conclusions and opens up debate on the cons of gene research, gene selling/owning and use of human tissue. As typical of an MC book, there's a healthy sized bibliography at the end where he based much of his facts and research.
