Mark of the Beast
by Adolphus A. Anekwe
Hardcover: 304 pages
Publisher: Forge Books; First Edition edition
(January 20, 2015)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0765333686
ISBN-13: 978-0765333681
ISBN-13: 978-0765333681
Mark of the Beast:
A searing medical thriller by Adolphus A. Anekwe, a renowned doctor, about the
ramifications of isolating a gene that causes violent behavior
Dr. Regina Dickerson is a Catholic physician in San Diego who has discovered that there is a certain genetic marker that indicates the carrier is prone to psychotic violence. Working on blood from prison inmates, her theory begins to prove itself time and again with violent offenders. The variety of crimes is diverse: one couple murders their children for organ money, another man kidnaps young girls to seduce and kill them, yet another has a penchant for cyanide.
As Dickerson's work begins to show results and catches the attention of the media, people begin to fear that witch hunts and Spanish Inquisition–style mayhem will result if forcible testing is carried out. Meanwhile, a race begins to find a cure. With science and religion at odds, Dickerson must find her own answers while trying to escape those who want to put an end to her inflammatory research.
Dr. Regina Dickerson is a Catholic physician in San Diego who has discovered that there is a certain genetic marker that indicates the carrier is prone to psychotic violence. Working on blood from prison inmates, her theory begins to prove itself time and again with violent offenders. The variety of crimes is diverse: one couple murders their children for organ money, another man kidnaps young girls to seduce and kill them, yet another has a penchant for cyanide.
As Dickerson's work begins to show results and catches the attention of the media, people begin to fear that witch hunts and Spanish Inquisition–style mayhem will result if forcible testing is carried out. Meanwhile, a race begins to find a cure. With science and religion at odds, Dickerson must find her own answers while trying to escape those who want to put an end to her inflammatory research.
Roderick
was finally getting the picture. “And we intend to prove just
that.”
“What do
you need from me?” the congressman asked as he finished
his
drink.
“We have
requested federal help to start a pi lot project at the Kankakee Federal
Prison,” Abramhoff said. “I was just wondering,” continued Abramhoff
, “if the state of Illinois can champion this project. If the research
pans out, imagine the national attention it can garner and subsequent federal
funds it will attract.”
“Could
you imagine what that would do for my career and for the
state
government?” Congressman Roderick said. “You’d be responsible
for one
of the greatest scientific, criminological breakthroughs of
all time.
“How do
you perform this test again?” Congressman Roderick
asked.
“What
test?” Abramhoff asked.
“This HLA
thing,” Roderick said. “Do you draw blood, shine a light
in their
eyes, urine test, or spit test?”
“Oh!”
answered Abramhoff with a smile. “The project would involve
identifying
the hard- core and most twisted criminals, and start
with
them. We will draw their blood, isolate their leukocytes, identify
the
antigen areas, and using chromatography, map out their HLA.”
“Too much
technical detail for me,” the congressman said as he
dropped
five dollars in the glass tip collection bowl. “Bottom line is
what?”
“Blood is
drawn to find an area or areas on the HLA that may be
common to
these criminals,” Abramhoff responded.
“And if
you’re successful?” Roderick asked.
“Most
likely develop a test for it,” Abramhoff said.
“Now help
me again,” Roderick said. “What would the test do?”
“Well,”
Abramhoff said, “with the testing, we can then identify individuals
who are
predisposed or predestined to become criminals.”
“People who
are predestined to become criminals . . .” Roderick
reflected.
“Do you realize the implications of this both nationally and
internationally?”
“I do
fully realize the implications, sir,” Abramhoff said with a certain
amount of
authority.
“Okay, I’ll see what I can do if I’m elected
governor,” assured Roderick,
heading
toward the ballroom.
“You’ll
be elected governor, trust me on that,” Abramhoff replied.
“I will
hold you to that,” Roderick said as he walked off with an aide.
Mr.
Roderick won the election, and on January second was inaugurated
governor
of the state of Illinois.
Two
months after the inauguration, Dr. Abramhoff asked Sabrina
to place
a call to the governor. Two hours after the call was placed,
the
governor called back.
“Hi,
Doc,” the governor began.
“Hello,
Mr. Governor,” greeted Abramhoff . “Congratulations. I told
you that
you would be governor.”
“Yeah,
you did say that,” the governor said. “How is the weather in
Chicago?”
“A bit
chilly and windy, what else?” Abramhoff answered. “How is
the
governorship going?”
“We are
getting into it,” the governor said.
“Oh, by
the way,” Abramhoff said, “do you remember our conversation
in
Chicago about the HLA project?”
“Yes, I
do remember,” answered the governor. “As a matter of fact, I
was
talking to my health offi cer about you and your HLA theory this
morning,
and he thinks that a meeting might be called for.”
“I’m all
for that,” Abramhoff said, nodding his head in agreement.
“Where do
you all want to meet?”
“We are
scheduled to have a public health meeting in Chicago next
week to
discuss the possible effects of a fl u vaccine shortage on the state and how
to prevent it from happening again,” the governor said, “and I was just
wondering if we can meet either prior to or after that meeting.”
“That would
be great,” Abramhoff replied.
“Okay,
then,” the governor said. “I’ll have my executive secretary
call
yours to set things up.”
Sabrina
scheduled the meeting for 9:00 a.m., an hour and a half prior
to the
governor’s scheduled meeting with the health officers.
Mark
of the Beast was an intriguing read to say the
least. The author has given a unique
twist to the Biblical Revelations Mark of the Beast by using science and
biology as a way to determine whether or not genetic markers determine whether
someone is pre-ordained to become evil and in turn become a follower of the
Devil. Although this is a work of
fiction, the author apparently performed some serious research in creating this
story, and for that I applaud him. This
was a fast paced and fairly easy read that will definitely make the reader
think outside the box. In my opinion,
this story would be somewhat like a prequel to the ever popular Minority Report
in which 'Big Brother' knows that a person is going to do something wrong way
before that person even thinks about doing something wrong. This story also poses a serious question of "What
if?". What if you were a law abiding citizen and just because you had the
genetic marker that marked you as a bad person....you were always being watched
and always judged for the rest of your life?
I kind of wished this book had less science and
more details about what the government would do with the marked individuals,
but regardless, this was an interesting read that will appeal to anyone who
loves a good medical thriller.
ADOLPHUS A. ANEKWE, MD, is a Clinical Assistant Professor at
Indiana University Northwest Medical Center, and is also an active staff member
at five area hospitals, a Board Certified Diplomat and Fellow in two medical
specialties, and an active community leader. He resides in Schererville,
Indiana, and is the author of Mark of the Beast.
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