Marcus B.

Cervantez
Mrs. Noyce
English B2
23 April 2015
Jurassic Park
Science Fiction is a fantastic genre with many great works. From exaggerated works like
Star Trek to more feasible works like Interstellar, science fiction has many great warnings to alert
people to the some of the dangerous paths that society may be going down. Science fiction is a great
medium by which many authors, directors, and artists may give social warnings. Crichton does this in his
novel, Jurassic Park. Crichton uses one of his characters, Ian Malcolm to warn society. He warns society
about the reckless and unregulated nature of science and how it needs to be more monitored.
Crichton uses his character, Ian Malcolm to voice his social warnings about the irresponsible
progress of science. An example of this is Malcolms conversation with Ellie Sattler about the inevitable
failure of the park and the problem with the scientists. Malcolm says, So they are so focused on whether
they can do something. They never stop to ask if they should do something (Crichton 284). Here
Malcolm is used as a conduit by Crichton to voice his warning about the lack of responsibility of
scientists. He disagrees with the reckless procedures in science and has Malcolm show his concern on
procedures that do not take into account all the potential effects, such as messing with genetics. He
criticizes acts in the name of science for their disregard to consequences.
Crichton warns society about the dangers of uncontrolled scientific progress. He demonstrates
this warning when Muldoon and Malcolm talk about science as an ideology to model ones life after:
Science can make pesticide, but it cannot tell us not to use it. And our world starts to seem polluted in
fundamental ways air, and water, and land because of ungovernable science (Crichton 312). Here

Crichton feels strongly about this subject. Crichton understands the benefits of science and technology
and simply wishes that it is monitored to safety so it doesnt cause unnecessary strife. Science can do
great things; however, it cannot prevent itself from doing something harmful to the planet. Science has
become a field that forgets to try and predict the penalties of their actions. Crichton feels that science has
become overrun with eager scientists trying to gain recognition without a thought to the significance of
what their discoveries may mean for the planet and everyone on it.
Crichton cautions humanity throughout his novel. He uses the character, Ian Malcolm, to voice
his warnings. Crichton brings the dangers of unregulated scientific and technological developments to the
attention of readers.