The Genocidal Healer

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The Genocidal Healer is a 1991 science fiction novel by author James White and is part of his Sector General series. As one of the later books, it stars an alien and the former protagonist, Dr. Conway, is conspicious by his influence and absence. The supporting cast remains much the same.

Sector General has seen its share of desperate procedures and "kill-or-cure" decisions. Senior Physician Lioren made one where the outcome was very much "kill." Now unwilling to live but not allowed to die, he has to work out what to do with himself. The Genocidal Healer is a more character-based and a much deeper work than most entries in the series, and raises the issue of religion at some length. Its deeds of healing are psychological rather than physiological - which isn't to say that it doesn't have room for a proper xenobiological mystery.