Man-Monkeys: Genetic Technology in Literature

I teach science in an inner-city high school. Most of my students express very little interest in recreational reading and do not see the relevance of scientific advancements in their lives. During our studies of genetics, students expressed interest in some controversial applications of genetic technologies. I believe their interest in the topic has opened a door for me to introduce them to modern science fiction, specifically the book "Next" by Michael Crichton. I believe that this book will catch their interest and allow them an opportunity to discuss the application of the genetic technologies which they have recently learned about, as well as encourage skills necessary for reading comprehension and critical thinking. If these books are made available to my students I believe that they will find that reading can be exciting and interesting. They will be discussing the impact of science fiction on society and thinking critically about the implications of scientific developments in our society. You could help these students find the value of reading and the relevance of scientific advancements in society.