Babies to order is a hot topic right now. Adrian Mathew’s Vienna Blood is
set in the future—but it is science thriller rather than science fiction.
The dateline is Vienna, 2026, and the scenario is what might happen if
unscrupulous genetic engineers have access to IVF and maternity clinics. It’s a
little obvious how the neo-Nazi subplot ties in with the main story (racially
targeted biological warfare), but this novel does highlight some of the ethical
problems we should be considering as genetic science develops. Published by
Jonathan Cape, £10, ISBN 0224059335.
More from New Scientist
Explore the latest news, articles and features
Popular articles
Trending New Scientist articles
1
We've found a mysterious substance on Titan and Pluto
2
Has the answer to life's origins been hiding in our cells all along?
3
Carl Sagan's The Demon-Haunted World is still supremely relevant today
4
The secrets to keeping your brain sharp in old age
5
A quantum state that lasts forever may finally be within our grasp
6
Most portable air conditioners suck – but there's an easy fix
7
Our brains have their first thoughts surprisingly early in life
8
Millions of fossil whale bones found in deep-ocean ‘necropolis’
9
Faecal transplant makes the brains of old mice act young again
10
Gas from Uranus reveals it has an icy centre
