Science Fiction has always been a personal favorite genre of mine. Part of the allure is the fancy new technology that the main characters always get to use/enjoy/abuse. Another interesting result of reading Asmiov or other greats is realizing how right they often were about their future (our present).
Margaret Atwood's dystopian novel Oryx and Crake is a particularly chilling and relevant example of an author seeing a possible future. I won't bother too much with plot, it's about as complex as Ken Ham's opening statements in his debate vs. Bill Nye the Science Guy.
But the actual premise of the book is pretty simple: genetic engineering and biochemical manipulation have become so advanced and useful that they pervade everyday life. Buildings have plant matter incorporated to become more efficient, physical appearance can be changed as quickly as in Scott Westerfield's Uglies, and man's dream of the 24-wing chicken has finally become a reality.
With all this awesome technology lying around, the world was only waiting for some genius to come along and start the apocalypse. Which is precisely what happens.
Now beware, further explanation of plot follows the jump, accompanied with spoilers. Those who cherish the idea of reading a book as an adventure into unknown territories should stop reading this and go read a book, preferably the one I'm writing about, so that you can come back and finish reading it.
The basic central theme is that the protagonist's genius best friend has finally managed to genetically engineer human beings in their mythological original form: without fear, sin, imperfections, or clothes. He also has made some ostensible improvements: insect-repellent skin, heightened immunity, a more regular mating cycle, and a hardier digestive system. He qualifies their condition as immortality, not because they can't die (they can), but because they have no fear or conception of death. He placed a large-ish population of these "Crakers" (the narrator names them after their creator) inside a large and plentiful domed habitat. In essence, he recreated the Garden of Eden.
In order to liberate humanity from its shackles, he creates a super virus and kills off everyone (including himself) except the protagonist; he un-naturally selects only his creations to survive. The human race is now recreated in its idyllic original form (albeit with less than a thousand members), accompanied by one remaining tainted guardian to watch over them.
Other less central themes include the protagonist's failing health due to apocalyptic amounts of food sources (hint: there's not many), his obsession over his last love (who was killed by his best friend, who was in turn killed by him), and his task to care for the innocent Children of Crake. Did I mention the complex plot?
Given the general theme and plotline, Oryx and Crake is obviously
not to be read at bedtime to small children. Such behavior would only
result in nightmares and really awkward explanations of the meaning of a
four-letter word which accurately describes the Biblical verb "to
know."*
However, it is a creepy yet relevant discussion of whether or not science should have a line to not cross, and where exactly that line is, and how close to that line are we willing to get. The mutant chickens were a great idea, but the pig-raccoon cross was less enticing, both for my appetite and chances of survival.
Cheers,
Isaac
*Paraphrased from A.J. Jacobs' book The Year of Living Biblically
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