Escape From Extinction An Eco-Genetic Novel

As Escape from Extinction opens the last Neanderthal dies in a cave on the Iberian Peninsula. 30000 years later the naturalist Muir OBrien hunting deep in the Oregon wilderness spots a fern believed to be extinct since the end of the last ice age. His discovery leads to a life-changing encounter with the visionary and narcissistic Leo Bonelli founder of the worlds most successful biotech company. Despite misgivings Muir and his daughter Lilith are drawn into Leos world. When the truth about Leos strange son Ned is revealed by a politically ambitious preacher the world must grapple with the mystery of Neanderthal extinction and the true basis for human hegemony over the planet. Ned and Lilith and all who love them confront a tsunami of ignorance fear hatred and violence. Escape from Extinction is not science fiction. Scientists wielding new tools for editing DNA now have the power to change the blueprint for humanity hack evolution and even create entirely new forms of life. In Michael Crichtons Jurassic Park the intersection of avarice and scientific hubris gave us man-eating velociraptors. Here the monster is an empathetic and charming teenager who many nevertheless believe presents the same threat to humanity as Crichtons dinosaurs. Escape from Extinction features Richs distinctive mix of graceful writing deep intelligence and narratives that engage his readers both emotionally and intellectually with topical issues.