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Genetically Privileged: Redux
Is this science real? Can we "manufacture" humans? What would you, the reader, do if you had control over the biological makeup of the next generation of human beings? Would you truly try to further the Homo Sapiens race or use the abilities of these new children to benefit yourself? These are just some of the questions asked by the author in this timely and socially relevant work that speculates on the impact technology has on our society.
Genetically Privileged is the first of a series that tells the compelling story of a couple desperate for parenthood. Upon reuniting with with an old friend they believe they can trust, take the steps towards achieving their parental goals. Only to find themselves entangled in a program the government has been using to modify the human genome.
But the story grows to include the achievements of the young prodigies and the challenges they face in a society that doesn't quite understand them, yet doesn't hesitate to use their special abilities for its own purposes.
Genetically Privileged is the first of a series that tells the compelling story of a couple desperate for parenthood. Upon reuniting with with an old friend they believe they can trust, take the steps towards achieving their parental goals. Only to find themselves entangled in a program the government has been using to modify the human genome.
But the story grows to include the achievements of the young prodigies and the challenges they face in a society that doesn't quite understand them, yet doesn't hesitate to use their special abilities for its own purposes.
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First published August 23, 2012
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A.W. Daniels
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
December 2, 2014
Brilliantly written! Fast paced and extremely un-putdown-able right from the beginning. What I most liked was that this is a book that made me stop at times and really think. I don't wish to spoil this book for anyone so I'm not giving any of main points away, but my thoughts continually turned to where mankind once was and how far we have travelled in such a short period of time historically. I then questioned whether human beings are getting to a point of no return, where nothing is to be left in it's natural state.
In my humble opinion I don't feel what is in this book is too far removed from what 'could' happen. This is easily something I could foresee happening, at the very same time I hope it doesn't.
A.W Daniels shows a great intellect and imagination in his writing and I can only congratulate him on a well written and excellently studied work.
In my humble opinion I don't feel what is in this book is too far removed from what 'could' happen. This is easily something I could foresee happening, at the very same time I hope it doesn't.
A.W Daniels shows a great intellect and imagination in his writing and I can only congratulate him on a well written and excellently studied work.
November 28, 2012
Kirkus Indie - A Kirkus review service says "Inventive, intriguing novel. Daniels skillfully develops the sense of threat from bot outside groups and top officials within...Animated plot and thoughtful questions posed about genetic manipulation...Quickly cultivates suspense."
May 25, 2015
A. W. Daniels writes a very thought provoking story! With all of our new advancements in biogenetic engineering, here is another take on the amazing possibilities that can possibly occur! If you liked Gattaca or are a fan of Orphan Black, then you will enjoy this provocative read!
April 18, 2015
I really enjoyed this book. Begin with Joe and Mary Christiansen who can't have children. They go to Dr, Gabriel's clinic, a doctor who does some amazing things with fertilization for couples. Joe and Mary are blessed with a child who they name Justice. It doesn't take long for the pair to notice Justice's rapid growth, mentally and physically, when their second child comes along the differences are astounding and more than a little unnerving. Why? That is a spoiler I can't disclose but believe me you are going to want to read this fascinating book to find out. The author did a great job with an idea that is probably too close for comfort and one we may all be dealing with in the not so distant future!
September 1, 2019
How could I not read a books that mentions glorious Mendelssohn's Violin Concerto? Easy to read book about the possibilities of genetic manipulation. We grew up in fear of the subject thanks to the Nazis and those times still resonate today. We can tell from the reaction of people, even to the idea of preventing awful genetic diseases in our children, which for me sounds wonderful, but lets get back to the book. The Nazis used a natural selection idea ie mating those who had the desired traits for a perfect race, now however we know a great deal more. And there is the usual evil controllers, the scientists caught up in the plot and yet, somewhere in this book we have hope that the engineered homo have real feelings and know right from wrong. I fully expect one day, not that far away, these story ideas will come to pass, but I hope it will be for the benefit of mankind and not creatures made to do the bidding of mad men to win their wars. I have hope and yet so far the race I belong to shows no sign of maturing.
June 20, 2014
Genetically Privileged is believable as far as the scientific ability to achieve the genetic enhancements in the experiments. The story is written strongly, confidently, and convincingly making it difficult to question that aspect. It is chilling and makes you wonder if things like this are really happening.
However, seen through the eyes of Mary and Joe .... who move to Bethlehem.... I couldn't quite absorb their reactions to what was going on around them. Both their characters were well-built, intelligent, and talented. Their inability to parent a child was disheartening, and their approach to the problem - a fertility clinic run by an old college friend was logical. After the conception of the child there were so many places in the story that alarm bells should have been ringing in their heads but it seemed even if they mildly questioned or objected to anything, the couple eventually just went with the flow. Quite a few interesting supporting characters in Mary and Joe's life spice up the pages; some you'll like; some you'll really despise; some you'll sympathize with, and some will just give you the creeps.
The book entails a lot of military action. (It is during these parts of the story I found it difficult to keep track of so many different characters - especially when it went back and forth to that story line.) One genetically enhanced child's particular story is delved into quite deeply and you follow him through his mission in another country, all the while worrying about his safety and questioning the ethics of those in charge who would send "children" to do that kind of work.
Genetically Privileged is the first book in a series, and it would be interesting to read the future books to find out what becomes of this project and how the genetically improved children fare in the real world. Will everyone ultimately become genetically enhanced by choice or by necessity? Or will the super species fail and the project be discontinued?
However, seen through the eyes of Mary and Joe .... who move to Bethlehem.... I couldn't quite absorb their reactions to what was going on around them. Both their characters were well-built, intelligent, and talented. Their inability to parent a child was disheartening, and their approach to the problem - a fertility clinic run by an old college friend was logical. After the conception of the child there were so many places in the story that alarm bells should have been ringing in their heads but it seemed even if they mildly questioned or objected to anything, the couple eventually just went with the flow. Quite a few interesting supporting characters in Mary and Joe's life spice up the pages; some you'll like; some you'll really despise; some you'll sympathize with, and some will just give you the creeps.
The book entails a lot of military action. (It is during these parts of the story I found it difficult to keep track of so many different characters - especially when it went back and forth to that story line.) One genetically enhanced child's particular story is delved into quite deeply and you follow him through his mission in another country, all the while worrying about his safety and questioning the ethics of those in charge who would send "children" to do that kind of work.
Genetically Privileged is the first book in a series, and it would be interesting to read the future books to find out what becomes of this project and how the genetically improved children fare in the real world. Will everyone ultimately become genetically enhanced by choice or by necessity? Or will the super species fail and the project be discontinued?
June 2, 2015
The manipulaton of the human DNA and the possible results when Science breaks the code, is one of my favorite topic. Next to AIs. So I got a copy.
Genetically Privileged - Redux begins with the story of an infertile couple who longed to have a child. They approached a friend who ran a successful infertility clinic and they were able to conceive. What they weren't aware of was that the clinic was involved in a secret government project - and they manipulated the human DNA, producing a new breed of enhanced humans. Called Homo Selectus, they're what we could be if we survived long enough to evolve, better in so many ways. But if we could manipulate our DNA, why wait so long? We can fast forward evolution and eradicate sickness, weaknesses and reach our full potential. But are we ready for it?
Being the first book of a series, the story is not complete. It introduced the characters and told their story. It hints of the government's involvement in the project and what they were planning to use it for. It left me hungry for more. I definitely need to read the second book to satisfy my need to see the story through. I want to see how Homo Selectus can change the world and in what way. Why? Cause this is our future, whether we like it or not. It's not a matter of If, but When.
Intelligent and Intriguing. I was afraid that I'd find it shallow since I'm used to reading the works of SciFi authors like Arthur C. Clarke. But, it succeeded in whetting my appetite.
A recommended read.
Genetically Privileged - Redux begins with the story of an infertile couple who longed to have a child. They approached a friend who ran a successful infertility clinic and they were able to conceive. What they weren't aware of was that the clinic was involved in a secret government project - and they manipulated the human DNA, producing a new breed of enhanced humans. Called Homo Selectus, they're what we could be if we survived long enough to evolve, better in so many ways. But if we could manipulate our DNA, why wait so long? We can fast forward evolution and eradicate sickness, weaknesses and reach our full potential. But are we ready for it?
Being the first book of a series, the story is not complete. It introduced the characters and told their story. It hints of the government's involvement in the project and what they were planning to use it for. It left me hungry for more. I definitely need to read the second book to satisfy my need to see the story through. I want to see how Homo Selectus can change the world and in what way. Why? Cause this is our future, whether we like it or not. It's not a matter of If, but When.
Intelligent and Intriguing. I was afraid that I'd find it shallow since I'm used to reading the works of SciFi authors like Arthur C. Clarke. But, it succeeded in whetting my appetite.
A recommended read.
April 25, 2016
This book has an interesting concept though I found in the beginning, the story took a while to settle down. The heavy exposition and back and forth in the timeline meant it was a book I really had to concentrate on, not one that I could pick up and put down to grab five minutes here and there. Over all, the story was believable and the attention to research good (perhaps a little to heavy for my own tastes) scifi enthusiasts and those that like conspiracy stories should enjoy this.
November 4, 2015
Meh, it really never hooked me.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews