Christian Medical Sci-Fi?

Medical Fiction is not exactly the genre to be reading when you’re pregnant.  I found that out last summer.

I didn’t even know the genre existed until I found the books by Sandra Glahn and Dr. William Cutrer.  Actually, to be more proper, the Library of Congress catalog states the subject as “Medical students—Fiction” in one book.  “Physicians” and “Medical ethics—Fiction” in another.  I think the most appropriate would be somewhere more along the lines of “Medical Sci-Fi”—but it’s Christian Medical Sci-Fi!

I first heard about Cutrer and Glahn on Michael Easley’s radio program “In Context.” I figured Christian fiction about current medical ethics issues co-authored by a doctor would be worth checking out.  False Positive proved that I was right.

I was thrilled to discover modern fiction with nearly the writing quality of my favorite modern-day fiction author, Randy Alcorn.  Not only could they write, but Cutrer and Glahn’s tasteful books provided thoughtful analysis of current medical ethics issues in a non-threatening way.

False Positive made me cry.  I read it when I was expecting our second daughter, Mary.  But the tears weren’t just because I was hormonal and overly emotional.  The interwoven stories of love and loss, death and birth, were heart-wrenching.  But the medical science part of the book fascinated me: the authors combined details of actual medical procedures with those that only existed in hope and in theory.  And when I found out that my cousin and his wife were also expecting—and theirs a baby with serious medical complications—my mind kept going back to all the inventions in False Positive.  Now it’s a year later, and thanks to medical technology and God’s divine healing work, my daughters have a healthy cousin named Davis.  False Positive makes you cry, yes—but it gives you hope, too, for God allowing future medical breakthroughs to save the lives of more little ones.

Lethal Harvest and Deadly Cure deal with stem cell research and frozen embryos.  They made me think, a lot, while being page-turners that could nearly be described as “medical thrillers”—if that genre exists!

I’ve yet to read Informed Consent, but it’s guaranteed to be another thought-provoking book, if you can judge a book by its back cover.

Due to the content, the fiction books by Cutrer and Glahn are definitely not for young readers.  But young adults and parents alike should take the time to read and consider the questions they provoke.

Find out more about the authors at Aspire2.com, which contains many informational links on bioethical topics.  Their nonfiction titles will also be an encouragement to many married couples.

Don’t forget to have your book review(s) ready to post on your own blog next week for the March of Books review carnival on Wednesday, March 31!