About the Book

Book: The Gene

Author: Timothy Browne

Genre: Medical Thriller

Release Date: July 12, 2020

We are the dwelling place of God—it is woven into our very DNA. Do we change the core of who we are by manipulating our genes? Is gene-therapy a miraculous cure or a slippery slope into eugenics?

Following their marriage, Dr. Nicklaus Hart and Maggie Russell enjoy the splendor and passion of a honeymoon in Hawaii. They learn that their union has brought new life, but the overflowing joy of Maggie’s pregnancy and their romantic getaway is interrupted by the shocking news of a genetic disorder discovered in Maggie’s family lineage. The devastating possibility that both Maggie and the baby carry the mutated gene for the horrific Huntington’s disease, shakes their faith.

Faced with this dreadful diagnosis, Nick and Maggie seek peace as they wrestle with the heartbreaking discovery of a genetic disease versus the knowledge that God is good—He has made their baby in His image and knit him together in Maggie’s womb. Like the millions of people around the world affected with genetic disorders, Nick and Maggie look for answers. With the belief that people are the dwelling place of God, and He is woven into the DNA, what should they do when that DNA has been corrupted?

Nick and Maggie travel to Poland, where the top geneticist, Emmanuelle Christianson, has founded and operates BioGenics whose mission statement is: Advancing the Human Genome. They understand that medical advances always cost something, but they face impossible decisions. They are unaware that the sinister side of genetic research has slithered in from the horrors of Nazi death camps into this modern-day technology. Their journey reveals more than the fight for knowledge, it uncovers a simmering evil left over from World War II. One that puts their lives in danger.

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About the Author

Timothy Browne, MD draws from life and work experience when writing. For many years, he has worked as an orthopaedic surgeon and medical missionary for Operation Blessing, Mercy Ships, and Hope Force International. His work has taken him to Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, Brazil, Ukraine, Borneo, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, North Korea, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Haiti and Sierra Leone. He now resides in Western Montana with his wife, Julie, who along with their three sons, served with him.

More from Timothy

Christian Fiction that will get your heart pounding!

After finishing, The Gene, the fourth book in the Dr. Nicklaus Hart Series, I have been able to look back at this body of work. The heart of my prose remains the same: to entertain and educate—fueled with imagination, inspired by history, and grounded in truth. I explored the mystery of North Korea and the threat of bioterrorism in Maya Hope, the complexities of the middle East and the history of Mesopotamia in The Tree of Life, the controversies of Big Pharma and our health in The Rusted Scalpel, and now examine the history of eugenics and the pitfalls of gene-therapy in The Gene.

Writing The Gene has taken significant research: exploration of Poland, investigation of the Nazi doctors and their horrendous medical experiments, the history of eugenics around the world, and of course, the science of genetics. The work has been satisfying, edifying, and many times, heartbreaking.

MY REVIEW

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 events that could change the lives of many. I did enjoy the writing and have decided that I want to read the other books in this series. Medical thrillers get my adrenaline pumping and I love seeing where the author takes us in the world of medicine.

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.