3. In the prologue, the reader is introduced to a fugitive who stole embryos from his place of work, a research lab. What possible motives might the fugitive have had and do you agree with those motives?

4. Although bio research can be useful, it can also cause problems. What are some of the potential problems that may be associated with bio research?

5. Explain how Gail Bond's genetic experimentation on a gray parrot comes back to haunt her.

6. Describe Jack Watson's reaction to the news that RIck's car was stolen and what that indicates about Watson's character.

7. When Adam's behavior suddenly changes and he goes off drugs and gets a job, Josh tells their mother about the retrovirus Adam inhaled. Then, their mother asks Josh to send some of the retrovirus to a drug-addicted son of a friend. Do you agree with that request or Josh's reaction to it? Why or why not?

8. Henry Kendall learns that the blood he took to Roberts is human and that the DNA matches his own. Henry goes to the NIH lab in Bethesda where he was working on a transgenic chimpanzee four years ago when an encephalitis outbreak interrupted. Henry spends time with the chimpanzee, who is, for all intents and purposes, Henry's son, before learning it is to be destroyed. Henry decides to steal the chimpanzee from the lab and take it home, though he is not sure what he will do with him then. Do you feel that it was right for Henry to steal the Chimpanzee?

9. How does BioGen try to discredit Frank?

10. Explain the reaction that Tom Weller's sister has to her father's death. If you were in Tom's sister's position, would you have the same reaction?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Josh Winkler takes a retrovirus from his lab and, by accident, his brother, Adam, inhales it.

Part 1: Why did Josh take the retrovirus from the lab?

Part 2: Was Josh as greedy as Rick, Marty or Robert, as the book progressed? Why or why not?

Part 3: Use examples from the book to explain the different phases of greed, guilt and redemption for Josh.

Essay Topic 2

Answer the following questions about Henry's wife, Lynn, using examples from the story:

1. How did Lynn originally feel about Dave's arrival at the house?

2. By the end of the story, how did Lynn feel about Dave?

3. If you were Lynn, how would you feel about Dave? (Include both the fact that Dave is a chimp hybrid and the fact that he is not related to Lynn herself at all and she is now expected to help raise him.)

4. In your opinion, should Henry have told Lynn about Dave ahead of time? What might have happened if he had?

Essay Topic 3

One of the big conflicts in the book is whether or not Frank has ownership of his own cells.

Part 1: Who do you feel owns the cells harvested from Frank's body and why?

Part 2: Would your opinion be different if Frank had known his cells were being harvested ahead of time? Why or why not?

Part 3: Even if Frank does not own his own cells, do you feel that his daughter, Alex and her son, Jamie are in possession of stolen cells, since they share DNA with Frank? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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