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This main plot is accompanied by several subplots, a transgenic chimpanzee, a transgenic grey parrot, a wealthy corporate raider attempting to gain control of a biogenetic company, and the arrogance and downfall of the head of the Centers for Disease Control.  All of these subplots twist and wind around the main plot, eventually resolving the book into a rousing climax.  Thereafter, the novel is just picking up the pieces to let the reader know what's happened to the main characters after the climax. 

The novel is then followed by Crichton's usual author's note and an extensive bibliography.  In his note, Crichton explains what he would do to try and prevent the novel's events. 

Crichton is known for his fear-mongering of scientists gone mad.  Although I believe he has some valid points and concerns, I get aggravated with him in how he seems to always portray the people in charge as having sinister motives, whether through sheer evil or just plain ignorance.  Anyway, Crichton's concern is the patenting of genes.  He feels that genes should not be patented as they are naturally occurring objects.  In this, I agree.  To patent a gene and then charge high fees for the use of that gene, cripples research and prevents the free flow of information among scientists.  It's especially disheartening when a group of people willingly supply their genes to develop a test for a rare disease and then cannot afford the cost of the test.

One other main criticism with Crichton's books:  his characters are usually cardboard cutouts solely created to move the plot along.  The characters here are no different.  The reader gains only a small sense of who these people are.  But that's not enough.  They are mostly superficial and do not gain much sympathy.  One just can't seem to care about them.  This is a loss for both the reader and the writer.  Developing interesting characters would make the novel much more enjoyable.

However, even given my reservations and annoyance with Crichton, I will recommend the novel on the basis of the issues it tackles.  We should all be concerned about where and how our genes will be used.  At this stage, the legal community has not caught up to the science community, and it needs to do so quickly.