Next by Michael Crichton (Entry 4)

Next by Michael Crichton     (Entry 4)

Carl Jeong

English 11

June 2 2012

       This story arc is about a bird named Gerard that is given genes to allow him to talk and have the same brain function as a human. It turns out that his ability to talk, learn, and to act as a human was all caused by genetic testing. He has genes that allow him to act like The scientist who created Gerard, Mrs. Gail Bond, loved Gerard, more than just a test subject, rather a companion. They became great friends, until her husband hated Gerard for getting into his wife. One day, he took Gerard in a cage and set him free into the wild, however, because he has the special genes that if dispersed, Gerard could reproduce and can spread his genes, potentially making talking birds with capacities that of a human, but if this spreads out into the news, the scientists may have to deal with issues with the media and the government. He then gets taken in by another man in California who wants to show Gerard to his aunt, but he irritates the man to the point where the man leaves Gerard in the middle of the desert. He breaks free and flies around desert until he comes across a plaza in California. He then gets found by one of Mrs. Gail Bond's friends and is brought back later on.

       Gerard's persona is described as a funny talkative bird with an attitude. His character from a genetic test subject into a bird with knowledge of movies and references to funny shows makes him a great character in the novel. This novel has a lot of science, ethical values, and we can debate whether what scientists did to Gerard is considered beneficial or unethical. I really like Gerard for his silly attitude for a parrot, and how he is a great example of is bioengineering transgenic tests like this morally right or is it wrong. He no longer can be counted as a normal bird, because he can't communicate with other birds with his human voice. He is funny for bringing up references and sometimes even songs of certain poems. Him being funny, sassy, and being the main idea of what humans can do with science.

       Overall, this book is a great book. This book is all about how companies can own your genes and you don't know about it. This story brings the idea of genetic testing that can affect human behaviour and make animals act like humans. This novel is about changing science for the better of the world, but maybe the cost of morality will be an issue. I definitely recommend this book to everyone and if people want to know about company's rights to property and how the world is rapidly enhancing because of biochemical studies, this book is the first choice.