Enter the rapidly evolving realm of genetics—dynamic, unpredictable, and firmly rooted in the present. Is the disappearance of body parts in loved ones a sign of genetic shifts? Are blondes on the brink of extinction? Does species identity at your dinner table hold surprises? With a mere 400-gene difference between humans and chimpanzees, the resemblance between adult humans and chimpanzee fetuses raises serious questions. Consider the implications of emerging genetic therapies for addiction—are they riskier than the conditions they treat? We inhabit an era marked by profound scientific breakthroughs: selling reproductive materials for high sums online, genetic testing of spouses, and even framing individuals through genetic evidence. One-fifth of human genes are patented, enabling legal pursuit of families across states based on genetic traits. Expertly intertwining factual science and narrative, Next offers a compelling exploration of a complex new genetic frontier that disrupts conventional morality and challenges our perceptions. It urges us to confront unsettling ethical questions as we adjust to a future that has already arrived.
