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Clone
Jordan Finch's dad is a top scientist in the field of human cloning. But Jordan isn't sure about his dad's crusade to be the first to clone a human being-he's seen what cloning does to monkeys: the deformities, the early deaths...And he becomes even less sure after meeting the enigmatic Maynard. Maynard befriends Jordan in the hope of getting to Jordan's father. He has to stop Patrick Finch before he takes the final step and seals humankind's fate-a bleak future in which natural reproduction no longer exists...
272 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2002
76 people want to read
About the author
Malcolm Rose
65 books64 followersBelieve it or not, until Easter 1996, I was a Lecturer in Chemistry at The Open University. I carried out research in analytical chemistry, particularly in the area of health, and I taught mainly organic chemistry. The teaching part of the job predominantly involved writing, with some radio, TV and video work. It also left very little time for fiction writing which I tackled mostly after midnight. Perhaps that is why some of my strongest scenes are set on dark nights! Anyway, I am now a full-time writer.
Many people think it odd and fascinating that a scientist should also be a novelist but I don’t find it strange. After all, scientists have to be creative and show perseverance to carry out research. They also write a lot; in particular, they produce textbooks and articles on their research. Anyone who is imaginative, can stick to a task, and knows how to construct a sentence has the credentials for writing a novel. On top of that, my chemical research was aimed at understanding a little better some aspects of human life. A novel also seeks to illuminate some aspects of human life. The aims are similar even if the tools are different.
I reckon novel writing is not so removed from chemistry as you might think. In one life, I mix chemicals, stew them for a while and observe the reaction. In the other, I mix characters, stir in a bit of conflict and, again, observe the outcome.
I began writing stories while I was carrying out research at York for my DPhil degree in chemistry. Writing became a means of escape from everyday life. While I was at York, my then girlfriend (now wife) read my efforts and commented that I ought to try and get something published. I had never thought of writing as anything other than a hobby. Besides, as I thought then, a budding chemist couldn’t possibly be any good at it! Anyway, I joined a writers’ club to find out how to submit a manuscript to a publisher and, to cut a long story short, found a publisher in William Collins for my first novel, Rift.
I am now over half a century old, married to Barbara and have one son (Colin) who is an architect. I read all of my stories aloud to Barbara and Colin and they help me with their comments.
Many people think it odd and fascinating that a scientist should also be a novelist but I don’t find it strange. After all, scientists have to be creative and show perseverance to carry out research. They also write a lot; in particular, they produce textbooks and articles on their research. Anyone who is imaginative, can stick to a task, and knows how to construct a sentence has the credentials for writing a novel. On top of that, my chemical research was aimed at understanding a little better some aspects of human life. A novel also seeks to illuminate some aspects of human life. The aims are similar even if the tools are different.
I reckon novel writing is not so removed from chemistry as you might think. In one life, I mix chemicals, stew them for a while and observe the reaction. In the other, I mix characters, stir in a bit of conflict and, again, observe the outcome.
I began writing stories while I was carrying out research at York for my DPhil degree in chemistry. Writing became a means of escape from everyday life. While I was at York, my then girlfriend (now wife) read my efforts and commented that I ought to try and get something published. I had never thought of writing as anything other than a hobby. Besides, as I thought then, a budding chemist couldn’t possibly be any good at it! Anyway, I joined a writers’ club to find out how to submit a manuscript to a publisher and, to cut a long story short, found a publisher in William Collins for my first novel, Rift.
I am now over half a century old, married to Barbara and have one son (Colin) who is an architect. I read all of my stories aloud to Barbara and Colin and they help me with their comments.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
June 27, 2022
I went back through my Goodreads account to see some of the oldest books I had on my to-read shelves. Malcolm Rose used to be one of my favourite authors and it’s been years since I read one of his books. I marked Clone as to-read in 2012! Almost ten years later I finally read it! I immediately remembered why I loved Rose’s books. He was a chemist and university lecturer before becoming a full-time author, and his books build off that background.
This one has such an intriguing premise and I loved the morality themes it presents. Animal testing, climate change, risks to fertility from various chemicals, cloning vs genetic mixing. But most of all; ableism. It’s rampant in our society as it is. Can you imagine a world with cloning, where you can pick and use genes and build uniform “designer” babies…? Those that differ from the “norm” are viewed as mistakes, wrong, even horrifying. People with disabilities and deformities, even those as common as hearing or sight loss, are outcasts. But this is an extreme version of technology and attitudes that already exist. Want an example? In the UK, foetuses with Down's syndrome (discovered through genetic testing) may be terminated up to birth rather than the standard 24-week abortion limit, and there is evidence that doctor’s unprofessionally encourage this without solid reasoning.
This book contains real world situations and questions magnified in a futuristic sci-fi world. This is the sort of book that gets your brain thinking. It’s also gripping stuff plot-wise. I didn’t read the synopsis thoroughly so was surprised at the element, I’m glad I didn’t expect that because it was an exciting reveal. All in all a book, that once I started, I wanted to be reading, I wanted to know what was going to happen. I’m going through a reading slump for various reasons at the moment so that means alot. Fantastic, I now want to read more from Malcolm Rose again.
This one has such an intriguing premise and I loved the morality themes it presents. Animal testing, climate change, risks to fertility from various chemicals, cloning vs genetic mixing. But most of all; ableism. It’s rampant in our society as it is. Can you imagine a world with cloning, where you can pick and use genes and build uniform “designer” babies…? Those that differ from the “norm” are viewed as mistakes, wrong, even horrifying. People with disabilities and deformities, even those as common as hearing or sight loss, are outcasts. But this is an extreme version of technology and attitudes that already exist. Want an example? In the UK, foetuses with Down's syndrome (discovered through genetic testing) may be terminated up to birth rather than the standard 24-week abortion limit, and there is evidence that doctor’s unprofessionally encourage this without solid reasoning.
This book contains real world situations and questions magnified in a futuristic sci-fi world. This is the sort of book that gets your brain thinking. It’s also gripping stuff plot-wise. I didn’t read the synopsis thoroughly so was surprised at the element, I’m glad I didn’t expect that because it was an exciting reveal. All in all a book, that once I started, I wanted to be reading, I wanted to know what was going to happen. I’m going through a reading slump for various reasons at the moment so that means alot. Fantastic, I now want to read more from Malcolm Rose again.
December 31, 2009
This book is basically a novel in which characters debate about human cloning and its place in the future of the human race.
It's one of my favourite books of all time and my copy is currently five years old and extremely battered from being read countless times.
The dialogue is always interesting, the characters are well developed and seem realistic, as do their relationships and interactions with each other. My favourite has to be Lights Out, who is an illegal immigrant. He came to England in search of mobile phones and sandwich toasters. He is so lovable.
The story line also involves time travel, with glimpses of our doomed future, should cloning become the norm. I love how the story weaves itself together and the twists are fabulous.
If you are a sci-fi fan, READ THIS BOOK!
It's one of my favourite books of all time and my copy is currently five years old and extremely battered from being read countless times.
The dialogue is always interesting, the characters are well developed and seem realistic, as do their relationships and interactions with each other. My favourite has to be Lights Out, who is an illegal immigrant. He came to England in search of mobile phones and sandwich toasters. He is so lovable.
The story line also involves time travel, with glimpses of our doomed future, should cloning become the norm. I love how the story weaves itself together and the twists are fabulous.
If you are a sci-fi fan, READ THIS BOOK!
May 10, 2008
Real disappointment. Not gripping enuf for a thriller. The summary was betther than the book itself.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews