My favorite books about scientific research or genetic-engineering on humans or animals

Brave New World is both frightening and enticing at the same time. It confronts the reader with a perfectly managed society that is orderly and fine-tuned in so many ways so as to give a perfect superficial paradise-like veneer. The only problem is that when you look more closely at it as the “savage” did with the woman who is so willing to give up her body so freely to him, it’s cheap, inhuman, and hollow to the core. The society has no human value or substance.

This book gives a great example of what happens when humans try too hard to tinker with nature. Of course, sometimes science does need to tinker with nature for the greater good of humanity and scientific progress but this story is disturbing on many levels because it touches upon various aspects of human responsibility with regard to nature. Mainly on the philosophical and moral levels relating to how much power humans should ultimately wield over nature and what benefits or drawbacks are derived from such control. Obviously, humans can alter nature at a cost but what happens when we do, and what is the potential fallout from meddling with nature?

This book is ideal for people who like to explore the dark side of scientific obsession devoid of context and the unexpected negative effects of research without any restraint or concern for the consequences in the shadowy figure of Dr. Moreau. One of the most intriguing villains in literary history in my view. When science pursues goals without any concern for how it affects the entire scope of persons involved or the wider field of influence around it, disastrous things can happen no one can predict. That being said, there is a lot of unknowns in pursuing cutting-edge research which cannot be determined beforehand and I feel this novel deals with that adequately too.

This book has always been one of my all-time favorites because I love the clarity of Lewis’ writing and it deals with the real-world challenges faced by scientists in general and medical doctors in particular. The moral, financial, and romantic dilemmas faced by Martin Arrowsmith constantly keep my teeth on edge as I read this book, never leaving me starved for excitement or something unexpected at every turn. I love how Martin personally transforms throughout the novel and deals in various ways with the emotional challenges of different types of romantic relationships as he faces the obstacles within his career that ultimately shape his internal moral fiber. 

The atmosphere of this book is downright spooky and mysterious from cover to cover, which is one thing I really love about it. Conrad masterfully unravels the dark tone of the novel with a heavy dose of foreboding till the very end, working its literary lather throughout the fabric of the story like someone creeping up on you from behind as you watch a scary movie. It’s not technically a scientific book per se other than delving deep into the recesses of the dark side of human nature and deviant psychology with regard to Kurtz’s madness. But, on that basis alone, this novel excels more than most (if not all) in terms of measured suspense.