Everand Logo

Welcome to Everand!

  • Discover millions of ebooks, audiobooks, and so much more with a free trial

    Only $11.99/month after trial. Cancel anytime.

    Unavailable
    Transfection
    Unavailable
    Transfection
    Unavailable
    Transfection
    Ebook35 pages28 minutes

    Transfection

    By David Gaughran

    3.5/5

    ()

    Currently unavailable

    Currently unavailable

    About this ebook

    Molecular biologist Dr. Carl Peters is under pressure on two fronts: his research grants are disappearing and his marriage is falling apart. But when medical researchers announce that genetically modified animal feed has tainted the food chain, he finally gets the funding he always dreamed of.

    Dr. Peters discovers the reason behind the cancer link with GM food, but it's so crazy, he barely believes it himself.

    Transfection is a 5,700 word old-school science fiction story, starring a molecular biologist who makes a discovery that shocks the world, only to find his life under threat. It takes in militant vegans, corruption, homelessness, university politics, radiation, the celebrity-obsessed media, and a shadowy conspiracy.

    Praise for Transfection:

    "An old-school science fiction story that reminds me of the Twilight Zone and The Outer Limits." - Shane Ede, Novelnaut.

    "I laughed out loud at some of the antics as I was reading. Transfection is well worth the price-tag...yet another well written and, dare I say again, thought provoking, tale from David Gaughran." -- Heather L. Faville, Doubleshot Reviews

    "Very strong images...a haunting quality...I totally did not expect that ending. I really didn't see it coming...I recommend this to people who enjoy well written sci-fi.." -- LE Olteano, Butterfly Books

    "Transfection is terrific and well worth the 99 cents." -- JA Konrath, bestselling author of The List.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherDavid Gaughran
    Release dateMay 21, 2011
    ISBN9781458117175
    Unavailable
    Transfection

    Related to Transfection

    Related ebooks

    Science Fiction For You

    View More
    View More

    Related podcast episodes

    Related articles

    Reviews for Transfection

    3.5/5

    47 ratings20 reviews

    What did you think?

    Tap to rate

    Review must be at least 10 words

    • 4/5
      This was a good short with a very interesting premise and a nice sort of twist. With the interest and concerns currently surrounding genetically modified foods, combined with the state of politics in our country today, this sci-fi type story doesn't seem that far fetched. Or maybe I'm reading too much into it and it was just supposed to be fun? In which case, it succeeded.
    • 4/5
      Doctor Peters is a very interesting character with insights into plant life that exceed his intellect and puts his life at risk. Life becomes difficult when his research is highjacked. There are some inconsistencies with timing of events and little attention to secondary characters often found in a short story. Gaughran missed a unique opportunity to delve into characters, corporation, and university research that would take a good story and make it great.
    • 3/5
      This is a Reading Good Books review.I love a good medical thriller. I challenge myself in understanding all the technical jargon and keeping up with the pace and different plots of the story. Short story thrillers are a little tricky. Usually, thrillers take their time establishing the mystery and building up to the big reveal. This book only had 5,000+ words to set it up and execute.The blurb seemed very promising. It doesn’t really give away much, if anything. But it read like a teaser or a pitch rather than a stand-alone story. The premise had so much to work on and a short story format was not enough for that. A lot was left unexplained, including the “reason behind the cancer link with GM food”. So yeah, I ended the book scratching my head and trying to figure out what the hell just happened.The writing was excellent and polished. I was impressed by that and frankly, that’s the reason why I kept reading. For its length, the character development was done well even with the time jumps. But because plot development was severely lacking, I didn’t care much for the story itself. It could’ve worked as a full book or anything longer than a short story.Rating: 3/5.Recommendation: It’s 5,500 words, it shouldn’t take you too long to read. I read it during my down time at work and still got stuff done.
    • 4/5
      I received this ebook through a LibraryThing.com giveaway in exchange for an honest review.This was a very intriguing read. It was very well written and fleshed out for a short story. Very original idea which isn't always something I can say. You don't have to be a Sci Fi fan to enjoy this book.I look forward to reading more by this author.
    • 3/5
      Dr. Carl Peters worked at a university in a lab and was eccentric. His only friend was assistant Jim Glover. Carl spent more time in the lab than he did at home. He worked with genetic modification food.It tells how much he obssessed with work and science till he lost everything and he knows part of it was his fault for the choices he made.It shows him spireling down and up. That you need to work on more than one aspeck at a time.Also shows greed and how science studies can be made into less than truethful ways.The story was a little hard with the science for me to follow but it was good. Just not a story I would pick up and read again.I was given the short story in exchange for honest review.
    • 4/5
      I would like to thank the author for the book. I loved the book and would have loved for it to have been much longer. Will look for more to read from this author in the future!!!
    • 5/5
      This is a extremely good short story. I highly recommend it to anyone who just wants a quick read.
    • 4/5
      I received a copy of this story through the Librarything giveaway program. I love these kind of stories, that are almost science fiction without being completely. It was a really quick read, but fun. Do not be frightened by the premise, there are no complicated scientific terms to muddy up the waters.It was a bit of a rollercoaster, as we follow a scientist from a discovery of huge proportions to being fired to being rehired. We start to question our beliefs as well as the characters’, which gives the reader the feeling of not being able to trust the narrator. For me, that always makes for a great story. There were even some comedic moments to lighten up the mood.There are a few unanswered questions, which might for some readers not be wholly satisfying, but it is a well written, balanced and captivating short story. Well worth buying, in my opinion.
    • 2/5
      I received a copy of Transfection from the Member Giveaway program and want to thank the author for it. I am not a big thriller reader, but the science in the description sounded good. I have to agree with other reviewers that the story line was quite clever and exciting. However, the story was too short to do the idea justice. I didn't feel a connection with the main character and the story felt very rushed. Like other reviewers, I would have liked to see this short story a bit longer.
    • 3/5
      I think I am not much of a short story fan, although though I do like some science fiction. Consequently it is difficult for me to review this book. The plot concept is great, although near the end I knew what was going to happen. I also liked the fact that the science fiction aspect did not involve fantasy onto other planets and odd creatures. The idea of genetically modified food fascinates me as well as the topic of the sentience of plants. My only problem was that the story was a SHORT story and it ended too quickly. I'd like to see the author develop this into a longer version, more of a novella.
    • 2/5
      I've always liked short stories, especially those with a bit of science fiction and a touch of Twilight Zone threwn in. While the story by David Gaughran fits right in with my own taste and the premise as such is really great, focusing on a scenario of genetically mutated food and "life signs" of plants (pretty creepy seeing how I'm a vegetarian), the writing itself just didn't manage to convince me. The narrative felt rushed and suspense didn't have a chance to build up the way it should within a short story. Of course it's not easy and certainly not fair to judge an author by just one single short story, especially when the idea he brought to paper is a good one. To me it seems that it would have worked better as a novella as that would have made it possible to get a better feeling for the characters and also improved the flow of the story. In short: A fascinating short story, but a rather weak implementation!
    • 3/5
      I liked this short story..not as much as 'If You Go Into The Woods'..but the story is totally different also. It was a lot of information and detail for a short story, felt like it ended to soon. Although that is part of what draws me to Davids other stories... It did jump around a little bit too much for me. Felt like it really wanted to go longer and I think it would have been great if it had, even just a little bit to get back some of the excitment it lost somewhere. I did like the ending!! All in all it's a good book!
    • 3/5
      This book had a very interesting premise and the plot drew me in. However the suspense built up short. I feel that readers did not have time to get to know the characters or got truly engaged with the book to fully absorb the impact of the ending. It really could have been better and the ending could leave readers pondering long after the last page is turned, only if it were longer.
    • 5/5
      Transfection is a great short piece of science fiction. The issue of genetically mutated food is handled carefully; there is never a pro or con opinion on the issue. The characters are well enough defined so that by the last page the reader feels a sense of the disillusionment felt by Dr. Peters, the main character, while not being overloaded with background information. It is never clear who are the good guys and who are the bad guys, and at the end of the story it is left to the reader to decide whether it was the scientists or the GM companies who were to blame for Dr. Peter's demise. These elements combine to create enough interest, sympathy, and suspense to keep the reader on the edge of his or her seat without becoming too complicated or lecturing on the morality of genetic modification. An excellent piece of work overall.
    • 4/5
      Transfection surprises. At first, I thought this would be a heavy, complicated story about genetically modified food. But, the author David Gaughran has the knack of telling his story in a most unusual way. It becomes a mystery story in a science fiction venue. This allows Gaughan to state his case about altering DNA, yet there is no preaching involved. That's because the story moves quickly in the direction of the adverse effect his experiments have on the main character, Dr. Carl Peters. In an almost Job like fashion he loses everything and dies as a result of a medical procedure, "not considered dangerous". What are we to believe? Finally the ending jolts us back to reality. I found Gaughran's dramatic skills extraordinary. And, throughout this easy read I pictured what was happening in my own version of a Twilight Zone episode. Gaughran's own future seems secure if he continues in this vein. I, for one hope to travel there with him.
    • 3/5
      I was very pleased to get a copy of Transfection to review- I am a bit of a science geek and was enthralled by the summary of the book. Sadly, the book fell short of my expectations. I felt like the plot was not suitable for a short story- there was simply too much to fit in so few pages. As a consequence of fitting in so much plot, the prose suffered- it didn't flow, was fragmented and was not an enjoyable read. This is a shame as I read Gaughran's other work, If You Go Into The Woods, and found it to be excellent. Gaughran can write well, but this book does not do him justice.
    • 2/5
      Transfection to me was a let down – the cover was perfect, the blurb intriguing and concept exciting but the execution – just didn't live up to the promise. Transfection is a short story of only 5,700 words, I have nothing against short stories but hold them to the same standards as a full novel, and that was where Transfection failed for me. The whole book reads like a proposal for a novel, it is very descriptive, as if you are being told the story rather than reading it. In addition the story seems to jump in time at several points with little signposting which made the book feel disjointed and even more of a ‘proposal’. The characterisation was good, especially considering the length of the book, although at times Dr Peters’ character undergoes quite dramatic shifts that are not fully explained or explored, although perhaps this is due to the length of the book.Overall, the premise was excellent and had the promise to be an excellent example of the medical thriller genre and I hope Gaughran continues to come up with such interesting plots. However, the execution was sub-standard, and the book felt more like reading a proposal for a new novel, rather than a stand-alone story it’s self. There was too much ‘tell’ on the part of the author and at times the story jumps around which disrupts the flow although it does mean that the story is pacey. This story could have easily been much longer, and it was ambitious for Gaughran to attempt to fit such a full plot into such a small number of pages.
    • 4/5
      This short story is an example of how successful self-published books can be. For less than a dollar, this e-book will entertain you while also challenging your dominant hemisphere with bioethical questions. Are genetically modified organisms a danger for society? Are biologists and in particular molecular biologists, a threat to our society? Or are all these good inventions that go bad only when the intentions are not good? In this case, and in the case of many molecular biologists, greed is the issue, not science itself. The discovery of recombinant DNA has opened many doors, as did the invention of electricity. There is no question that benefits derived from either of the two: what is also clear is that dishonest scientists are much more dangerous than, say, dishonest politicians. The latter we know, and have learned to deal with.In this short novel, a father-son relationship between mentor and PhD student impinges on the senior scientist’s marriage. Discoveries made in the lab cause stir in colleagues and peers. When these sense that the duo is on uncontrollable path, societal censure is used to transform the gentle and knowledgeable professor in a derelict who wanders the streets and moves from shelter to shelter. At the same time, his revolutionary discovery languishes on a flash drive. The discovery consists of the unveiling of a secret botanical language, triggered by and manifested with emission of radiation. This language is modified by men, inasmuch genetic mutants, or transgenics, are incapable of “speech”. The story unfolds further, and the student rediscovers plant’s language. The ending is surprising and, in keeping with the rest of the book, also packed with questions.If you like contemporary fables, and are interested in dilemmas of modern times, this book is for you. If one of your kids, or your spouse, work in a lab, read this today and talk to them about the risks of shortcuts and amalgamation of money with scientific discovery. If you, as I am, work in a lab or run a lab with many scientist, read it because it will feel very familiar! In any case, you will enjoy this novel, and also learn quite a bit about the goals and limitations of molecular biology.
    • 4/5
      I usually avoid short stories because they usually feel as if too much is missing, the characters are flat, and there is just not enough time for the willing suspension of disbelief to kick in. Not so with Transfection.Author David Gaughran has a real gift for telling big stories in small spaces. Here he talks about the dangers of genetically modified foods, the willingness of some corporations to trade public safety for profit, and the equal willingness of certain 'industry' scientists to bend or fake their research to back the company line. And, at the same time that he is building suspense and a sense of paranoia in the reader about the issues, he introduces us to his protagonist, Dr Carl Peters, warts and all, and, what's more, he makes us care about him. And he does all this in 18 short pages - not a mean feat by any stretch of the imagination.I read this story in one quick bite and all I can say is, I want more!
    • 4/5
      And here I am, again talking about David Gaughran‘s artful wording again. It feels like only yesterday I was talking about his amazing work, If you go into the woods. Wait, it actually was yesterday Well as you can clearly see, when I say I love someone’s work, I mean it; I was yearning for an encore. And here it is.Transfection is a different ballgame altogether. The topic, for one thing, falls in a completely different area. We’re talking of a thrilling sci-fi work here, as opposed to rich fantasy, again delivered in the short and sweet form that Gaughran seems to so skillfully master.Obviously, as the great writer I believe him to be, David Gaughran demonstrates the acute ability to shift between styles with such grace and eloquence, that you’ll be left wondering what it is that he can’t do, really. I know what reading this work of his left me with, and that is the clear desire to read more by him.The characters are well built, the author again demonstrating the keen ability to condense in few words great impressions. His quirky and quite charming character, Dr. Carl Peters feels like an old acquaintance, a dear old friend even, after the first 2 pages of the story. His life is bound to stir some strong emotion within you, I know it did for me. As the read went on, I found myself focused entirely on the writing, and guessing what would be next very little to not at all – that is one of my most annoying habits when reading, watching movies, plays, and so on, my mind’s always rushing with possibilities of what would be coming next; a lot of the time, I guess the plot lines before they’re presented to me, leaving me with a somewhat disappointing flavor for the story itself, though I am aware this is my own fault.Well, for this story, there was none of that. And although I did get a somber feeling there would be something big happening next, mostly because of the fresh memory of Gaughran’s strong twists from yesterday’s read, I totally did not expect that ending. I really didn’t see it coming, although evil corporations and big-league business always seem to go hand in hand with dramatic happenings (just in books, movies, and so forth, in reality you don’t really get to know about them surely…of course, I mean they probably don’t exist! *stares around nervously*).Yet again, the author uses some very strong images in his great work. The notions he plays with do have a haunting quality to them, just like the case was with If you go into the woods, though here I’d say they are less poignant, for me at least. It seems I am unable to stop comparing the two, and it is somewhat unfair of me, since they have different writing styles, subjects and everything.And the unfairness goes on still: I’m giving this beautiful read a full-hearted 4 butterflies rating. It’s a piece of beauty, well written, well thought, well put together. However, had I not read If you go into the woods so recently, I might have been persuaded to actually give this lovely work a 5 butterflies rating, for many reasons. But right now, with yesterday’s beauty still lulling in my soul, I wouldn’t be able to.The cover though, the cover is absolute full-on 5 butterflies material, just like the cover for If you go into the woods, Kate Gaughran, you’re an amazing artist!All in all, I recommend this to people who do enjoy a well written sci-fi, and surely to those who enjoy short stories. But what I’d wholeheartedly recommend is, after you read this beautiful piece of writing, you go and read If you go into the woods too; David Gaughran’s writing is so good, you’ll be left craving for more.