Next by Michel Cricton

Identify a scientific issue in the reading and identify the bias.

a. Describe the issue, giving both sides of the debate.

Although there are several major issues in the book including gene replacement, one of the major issues throughout the book is surrounding a legal issue concerning genetic research and taking of human cells. In the book, Frank Burnet, a cancer survivor claims that his cells were taken without his permission and then sold to BioGen, a genetic research company. Frank Burnet cells were sold because his body produced powerful cancer-fighting chemicals called cytokines. While he cannot do anything about taking of his cells back from BioGen, he wants some of their profits.

BioGen: claims that they bought the rights of the cells from Dr. Gross and UCLA Health Systems, and Frank no longer has the right to his cells. They claim that they are not at fault and they bought his cells fair and square.

Frank Burnet: Mr. Burnet was under the impression that he was sick with cancer, and he no idea that his cells would be sold to a genetic company. He even asked his physician, Dr. Gross why was he still signing consent forms are you using them for commercial use? Dr. Gross stated "absolutely not, his interest were purely research."

b. What is the book's view of this issue? Support your response.

Although, Michel Crichton does not clearly state his view in the novel and it leaves it up to the interpretation of the reader to question their own beliefs if the government has adequate checks and balances on genetic research being conducted. I can induce that we don't have proper checks and balances on genetic research. I fell this way because, after Frank Burnet disappears, BioGen feels they have the rights to Mr. Burnets cell line and proceeds to hire a bounty hunter group to go after Franks' daughter Alex and grandson without getting their permission first to take their cells. instead the bounty hunter plans on kidnapping them and doing the "minor" surgery inside a ambulance then releasing them. In a criminal hearing, BiGen attorney told the Judge "BioGen has the right to restore the cell lines that it owns... since the court has ruled that Mr. Burnet's cells belong to BioGen, they can at any time take more. Whether the property is actually within Mr. Burnet's body or not is immaterial. BioGen owns the cells." Pg 409

Michel Crichton later stated in an interview that we need to repeal the Bayh-Dole Act, which allows "United States universities, small businesses and non-profits intellectual property control of their inventions and other intellectual property that resulted from such funding." (Bayh-Dole Act) He claimed that universities are overstepping the boundaries and now acting as if they are a cooperation

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