Next (novel)

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**Next**

Author	Michael Crichton
Country	United States
Language	English
Genre(s)	Sci-Fi, Techno-thriller, Dystopian novel
Publisher	HarperCollins
Released	November 28, 2006
Media Type	Print (Hardcover, Large print), E-book, Audio book
Pages	480 pp
ISBN	ISBN 0060872985
Preceded by	State of Fear

Next is a 2006 novel by Michael Crichton. Next takes place in the present world, where both the government and private investors spend billions of dollars every year on genetic research. The novel follows many characters, including transgenic animals, in the quest to survive in a world dominated by genetic research, corporate greed, and legal interventions.

[edit] Plot

Throughout the novel, Crichton explores the legal issues surrounding genetic research and questioning the control the court can exert on individuals. BioGen is a leading genetic research company who is embroiled in a lawsuit with Frank Burnet, a cancer survivor whose cells were taken without his knowledge. BioGen asserts that they bought the rights to these cells and that Frank no longer has the right to profit from the sale of his cells. 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. BioGen then decides to harvest the cells from Alex and Jamie Burnet with or without their consent, causing Alex to flee with her son.

BioGen is also researching what they call the "maturity" gene and the effects exposure to this gene has on lab rats. Josh, a researcher at BioGen, accidentally exposes his drug addicted brother to the gene. 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 must then decide if he will expose the gene to these people illegally. 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. Is it better to try to help without knowing the consequences, or should he refuse to help until he knows more about the treatment?

Henry Kendall is also 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. Henry and his family struggle to raise the boy, Dave, as they attempt to hide the true nature of Dave’s genetic makeup. However, Dave is not the only transgenic character in the book. A transgenic parrot named Gerard and a talking orangutan in Sumatra also figure prominently in the novel.