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Scientists have long known of the existence of 'junk' DNA -- sections of DNA unrelated to the four bases that make up the amino acids used by all living creatures. Lara Blackwood, founder of Genitron, has spent her adult life studying its role in diseases common to certain ethnic groups. Her patented bases have resulted in new medicines to treat some of these diseases. But now, after the take-over of her company by Daiwa Ichiban of Japan, Lara fears that her breakthrough research is being used to kill, not heal. A new disease called Korean Leprosy has broken out in a town in Japan, and hundreds of Koreans are dying. Fired from her job as CEO of Genitron by Daiwa Ichiban head honcho Tokutaro Kurata, Lara investigates the disease when Army doctor Jim Condon sends her a tissue sample taken from a dead Korean. Although she can't tie the outbreak directly to Daiwa Ichiban, Lara suspects that her successor at Genitron, a man named Edward Rycroft, has used her research to create the worst kind of bio-weapon possible -- an ethnicity-sensitive disease that strikes only those of certain ethnic origins. Lara's suspicions become stronger when Dr Condon is murdered in a Tokyo back alley and her only ally at Genitron dies in a strange accident. Now employed by the US government, Lara tries to warn her superiors of the possible bio-weapon. Her outspokenness earns her both an unpleasant visit from Tokutaro Kurata and the heave-ho from her Washington job. Murder puts an end to Lara's credibility when a government official is gunned down and she's blamed for the crime. Her escape by boat from the US and her subsequent arrival in Amsterdam dismays Kurata. He sends two henchmen after Lara with orders to kill both her and anyone helping her. In Amsterdam, Lara meets several members of Shinrai, an organization dedicated to making the world aware of the atrocities committed by the Japanese against American POWs and Chinese, Korean, and Phillipino prisoners during World War II. Dutch scientist Jan DeGroot heads the group and gives Lara a quick lesson on the history of Unit 731, the Japanese death camp run by Dr Ishii Shiro. Shiro, who 'experimented' on live prisoners, was the equal of Germany's Dr Joseph Mengele, but was never charged with war crimes. Instead, General MacArthur gave Shiro and his associates their unconditional freedom in exchange for their 'research' notes. Lara is sickened when DeGroot assures her that Tokutaro Kurata is of the same mindset as Shiro and intends to 'purify' Japan by eliminating its Korean population. Unexpected help arrives in Amsterdam in the form of Akira Sugawara, nephew of Kurata. Once his uncle's most trusted man, Akira can no longer live with himself after viewing the victims of the Korean Leprosy. Although his hands are soiled with the blood of those he helped to kill, Akira plans to make amends by stopping Kurata's planned release of the deadly disease in Tokyo. The information he gives to Lara and the Shinrai leads to a gallant attack against one of the most powerful men in Japan. Lewis Perdue has a background in science and a knowledge of Japanese history and politics that gives plausibility to the premise of this story. While the character of Lara Blackwood is rather one-dimensional and Superwoman-like to the extreme, the author does better at fleshing out Akira Sugawara and his Japanese cohorts. Kurata's disdain for foreigners shows clearly when he says: "Americans sell their technology to us, then buy it back in products at ten times the price. This is why they will always lose." Perdue saves his best for the Shinrai characters. Their passionate outbursts concerning Unit 731 reflect the author's obvious dedication to making known the truth about Japanese war crimes. Unlike many thrillers, this book ends with a twist that is both realistic and chilling. But, as Perdue quietly points out, happy endings are impossible in a world where ethnicity all too often determines one's worth.
Reviewed by Mary V. Welk, June 2004
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