She quickly learns that there is a research team studying chimpanzees which they intend to release into the surrounding jungle. Because the chimps are not indigenous to the area, Jamie can foresee all sorts of problems. She knows, however, that any attempt to learn more of the research being conducted will have to be done under the guise of total support of the program. She offers her services as a population biologist well acquainted with the rain forest with sufficient credibility that the director, Kenji Nakamura, agrees to hire her as a consultant.

Jamie discovers that the chimps involved in the study are quite extraordinary. Their intelligence is far superior to that of a normal chimp. She wonders how Nakamura has been able to breed such intelligent animals. As she probes deeper and gets to know other member of the research team, she begins to suspect that the chimps have been “genetically engineered” which at once both amazes and frightens her. The chimp that is being used as a chief subject of experimentation is definitely approaching human ability in thinking, but seems to her to be emotionally unstable. She recognizes that Nakamura may have been able to produce something of great scientific interest, but at the expense of destroying a habitat and potentially producing a being capable of destroying mankind.

Second Genesis is a unique book in many respects. The author, a neuroscientist, most assuredly knows the scientific facts behind the premise that he has developed. At times his explanations are a bit complex for the average reader, though those with an adequate background will appreciate the detail. The power that scientists have acquired in recent years to genetically alter living systems is a mixed blessing. Ostensibly such knowledge would be used for the betterment of mankind, but as Mr. Anderson points out, just what is morally and ethically right is subject to many interpretations.

There is much to be learned from this novel in addition to presenting the societal dilemmas that scientific tinkering can produce. That scientists have the ability to actually alter how cells develop is amazing in itself and the possibilities for dealing with genetic defects are certainly promising. What the author makes glaringly obvious is how wide ranging the ramifications can be in what would initially seem to be a minor change in genetic structure.

This novel fulfills the general criteria of a thriller by providing a fast paced read with consequences that are far reaching and cataclysmic. Though there are passages that will prove slow going for the nonscientist, the general ideas are easy to grasp. The plot is the important ingredient in this tale. The characters, while realistic, do not stand out as personalities. The author is clearly able to stand back and look at himself as a scientist and realize his shortcomings. He mentions more than once that breaking and entering a laboratory should be trivial. Most of the scientists working there would not even notice. The expert on breaking and entering however showed an extraordinary ability to quickly go through the files and take only those with relevant data. Since this individual was not a scientist I did wonder how he was able to sort through so much detailed information on subjects he knew nothing about and extract what was important.

With the increasing popularity of medical thrillers, Second Genesis should prove to be a welcome addition. It explores an area as yet not often discussed that really has relevance for modern society.

--Andy Plonka