Any sci-fi lovers out there? Today being able to alter genes and DNA is a real practice, albeit with limits and rules. But who doesn’t love a book who goes too far? Here is a list of some books that have an element of DNA modification.
- Next by Michael Crichton
Genre: Science Fiction/Techno-Thriller
Average Goodreads Rating: 3.54
A series of interconnected stories addressing genetic engineering and its dangers. Some of the stories involve researchers trying to cure cancer or an artist changing animal appearances.
2. Seeker by Douglas E. Richards
Genre: Science Fiction
Average Goodreads Rating: 4.07
An interstellar probe lands in the Amazon Rainforest, causing nations to go head to head in their attempt to retrieve it first. The US chooses to send in a single person–a person who is equipped with the best of technology. Meanwhile, the alien spacecraft has plans of its own.
3. The Last Sword Maker by Brian Nelson
Genre: Thriller
Average Goodreads Rating: 4.01
A disease has spread through Tibet. A scary disease that can kill within minutes. Though the Chinese government says it’s not true, they don’t let anyone in or out of Tibet. At the Pentagon, the other Admirals see proof of genocide and discover there is no disease, but a weapons test. The Chinese government has discovered a way to kill someone based on their very genetic traits. Now the US must try to catch up before it’s too late. Eric Hill and Jane Hunter are recruited to the US science team to match deadly weapons, trying to create something the world has never seen.
4. Shards of Earth by Adrian Tchaikovsky
Genre: Science Fiction
Average Goodreads Rating: 4.31
Idris doesn’t age or sleep–not since he was remade in the war. He scrapes by on a salvage vessel. After earth was destroyed, humanity created an elite to save their species, an elite like Idris. The elite can communicate mind to mind with the enemy. But when the enemy disappeared, the elite became obsolete. But then Idris discovers something in space, something left behind of his enemies. He must find the answers before it’s too late.
5. The House of the Scorpion by Nancy Farmer
Genre: YA Science Fiction
Average Goodreads Rating: 4.05
Matteo Alacran was not born, but harvested. His DNA comes from El Patron and the poppies, grown within a cow, and split within a petri dish. Though most think the boy is a monster, El Patron loves him as they are the same. As Matteo struggles to understand himself, he is threatened by El Patron’s family and knows his only chance is escape. But escape doesn’t mean freedom. Not for someone like Matteo.
6. Tales of Crow by Chris Ward
Genre: Horror
Average Goodreads Rating: 3.71
One man is at the center of the world, though some wouldn’t call him a man. This series charts the life of Professor Kurou, tracking his orphanage, his growth into a big time scientist, and his inevitable fall.
7. Altered Carbon by Richard K. Morgon
Genre: Science Fiction
Average Goodreads Rating: 4.04
Jun Matsumoto is on a school trip to a study camp in the British Heights, where he has to room with his bully and he’s scorned by his crush. Things couldn’t get worse–but they do when some sort of food poisoning makes everyone sick, leaving Jun and and a handful of others stranded as a snowstorm comes in. And there’s creatures in the woods, hungry for flesh.
8. The Island of Doctor Moreau by H.G. Wells
Genre: Classic
Average Goodreads Rating: 3.73
This classic book deals with animals combined with animals, even animals combined with humans. Doctor Moreau creates all these chimeras. Of course, this can only lead to disaster.
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