OriginsGenetic engineering was introduced to the World State in hopes of creating a perfect society. It allowed for the control and modification of genes that was not possible before Ford. The genetic engineering used in Brave New World is an example of eugenics, the science that aims to better society by controlling breeding to single out the favorable heritable traits (Genetic Engineering).
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Genetic Engineering and the Caste SystemThe society in Brave New World runs on a five-tiered caste system. Genetic modification in the World State is the only way this system could run flawlessly. All people are "born" from the Alpha caste, but are modified while in their test tubes to fit a certain caste, whether Epsilon or Alpha. Bokonovsky's Process is used to create tens of identical children that are raised to fit the caste they are predestined for. If the hatchery and conditioning workers so choose, they can make each twin perform exactly the same task or they can separate them into different castes.
Bokonovsky's Process This is a common type of genetic engineering. This process allows fertilized human eggs to multiply into as many as 96 embryos. Eggs are placed in test tubes and sent along a conveyor belt, being subjected to harsh X-rays, temperature changes, and alcohol doses over a period of a few days. Each embryo is an exact identical twin to the others. This process is referred to as "...one of the major instruments of social stability,"(Huxley 18). A natural growth cycle requires about thirty years for two hundred eggs to mature. The hatchery uses Podsnap's Technique to speed up the maturing process. Bokonovsky's process is used to demonstrate the idea of complete gene pool control. This technique could very well be used in the future of our society if/when we can execute it successfully. Huxley believed one of the major keys to a utopia is having the power and ability to manipulate the types of humans being born, and there is no saying we will not achieve that aspiration. Podsnap's Technique Podsnap's Technique is used to rapidly increase the maturing process. 150 eggs can become fully mature within two years. This combined with Bokonovsky's Process allows for close to eleven thousand siblings in that two year's time. |
"Genetic Engineering - Genetic Engineering in Science Fiction Literature." Genetic Engineering - Genetic Engineering in Science Fiction Literature. Depaw University, n.d. Web. 24 May 2016.