I find myself crying as I finish this book. The Gene, #4 A Dr. Nicholas Hart Medical Thriller, by Dr. Timothy Browne is not an easy read. Browne describes the horrors of German death camps and particularly the research of Dr. Joseph Mengele through his fictitious story of Dr. Emannuelle Christianson. Christianson is a top geneticist and reproductive doctor at Biogenics, a Polish premier hospital known for its cutting-edge development in genetic disorders. Maggie and Nick, recently married, seek out Dr. Christianson when they discover Maggie carries an abnormal gene that results in a horrific disease.
With enough backstory to be read as a stand-alone, The Gene tackles a complicated medical condition and breaks it down into understandable bits for the non-medical reader. As we progress through the book, Browne explains the ethical dilemma behind gene therapy and exposes its roots as seemingly benign, often acceptable procedures and intentions.
"Making human beings smarter, stronger, and healthier-isn't that the goal of all parents who take their children to the doctor, enroll them in the best schools they can afford, and drag them to weekly violin lessons? Gene therapy is no different, " opines Herr Bauer.
Great friendships, floundering faith amid great pain, and evil masquerading as good, are all themes drawn out. The lure of power and its ability to corrupt is laid bare. The novel contains a bit of language and vivid scenes of man's savagery against man. The Gene will appeal especially to those who like both World War II fiction and medical thrillers.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author and publisher through Celebrate Lit. I am voluntarily leaving this review, and all opinions are my own.
Notable Quotables:

"...often what medicine can do runs counter to what it should do.

I enjoyed the concept of this book but there are a few things I need to touch on first. I really wish the language was toned down a lot. There were words and phrases used that I didn't care for and think if they were taken out, it would have made the story easier to read. The other topic is somewhat uncomfortable for me. At the beginning of the book we are a witness to a horrible attack on a young woman. It was a bit graphic and the author could have left some parts out. There were some intimacy scenes by several characters that for me was too detailed.

Now for the things I loved. I found the storyline to be exception. Science has come along way and it is not to far fetched to think that doctors can do techniques that may change and manipulate our body. I can say that it was scary to think there is a group out there who wanted to once again have a certain type of person that would all begin to look the same. The author does go into detail about DNA and although it was lengthy at times, I still was intrigued. You can tell that the author has done extensive research by the details he inserts in the story.

Maggie and Nick are excited that she is pregnant until they get upsetting news. A genetic disease has been detected in Maggie and the chances of her unborn child carrying the same gene is highly possible. Their trip to Poland to visit a geneticist gives them hope . I liked learning about the history of Poland and the people who lived there. BioGenics is highly regarded as a place where technology is on the cusp of changing the outcome of diseases and other genetic deformities. I was very surprised by how the story was linked back to World War II.

As I read the story I wondered if we are sometimes manipulating God's creations. It was hard for Maggie to decide if the risk was too great as she was explained the procedure that could cure her and her baby. I did like that there was a faith element in the story. The story is packed with suspense and a series of ev

I would rate this three stars for these two reasons.
1) the book got here really early than expected, which is super exciting.
2) but…it seems it wasn’t packaged as well and in the transit it was stained and folded on the top right corner of the last chapters. Normally I wouldn’t think was a problem but since it’s a gift I’m really bummed out about it.

Other than that I’m pretty pleased with it just the few last sheets that are damaged but hopefully the gift receiver is going to enjoy it and think none of it!

Great book. Siddhartha does a great job at describing a very scientific subject to those who do not have doctoral degrees in biology.