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Deborah Munro, Author

APEX, a Sci-Fi Thriller Set in Rural Oregon

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It all started with a walking stick insect. They have the most fascinating evolutionary history I’ve ever read.

 

walking stick insect

I describe myself as an avid reader, but I am mostly an avid learner. I like to read everything—fiction, nonfiction, magazines, news articles, textbooks, research articles, history books, even instruction manuals. I took one of those Strengths Quest personality profile tests once, and the adjective that came up as my most prominent descriptor was Learner.

From the Strengths Quest book, it says, “People with the strength of Learner love to learn in many areas and simply enjoy the process of learning, more than the topic of what is being learned. They enjoy learning almost anything, or perhaps going deep in only a few things. Either way, learning is fascinating and energizing.” That describes me perfectly, and because of that characteristic, I’ve learned how to do many, many things, and I’ve studied hundreds of diverse topics. One of these topics is genetic engineering, which I find fascinating.

APEX is about genetic engineering, and I want to have readers ponder the question of right to life. Do all creatures on this planet have an equal right to life, or are some more equal than others? We certainly play favorites among existing species, but what if an entirely new species were genetically created, or what if we brought back a species from extinction? Would they have the same rights as existing species? What if they were predatory and wreaked havoc like the dinosaurs in Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton? Would their rights change based on their behavior? Genetic engineering is making these questions very real and are something we should be thinking about when we forge ahead with technology we don’t fully understand. Crichton often exploited the theme of “just because we can do something doesn’t mean we should,” and I loved his books for that reason.

I was reading a science article about the walking stick insect, and I learned something incredible. At various points in its evolutionary history, the walking stick has lost and re-evolved wings, depending on environmental conditions. In times of plenty, walking sticks lost their wings and developed larger egg sacs, as escaping from predators was not as essential. In lean times, they gained their wings again so as to cover more territory and move more quickly. This is incredible! Although it’s always been assumed that once a species lost a characteristic, the gene would remain forever altered, but now it appears that some gene sequences can remain dormant until needed. I mulled over this for days, wondering what other species besides stick insects might have latent, unexpressed gene sequences, and what would happen if we could turn them back on with genetic engineering? What if, when you turned back on one genetic sequence, like wings on a walking stick, it turned on a whole collection of other, unanticipated characteristics as well? This thought excited me, and I began brainstorming about what creature I could virtually, genetically manipulate and transform it into a modern Frankenstein’s monster?

And thus, APEX was born! If you want to learn what I did in my research and want to know how the story turns out, you’ll have to read my book.

If you enjoyed reading this bit about walking sticks and genetic engineering, sign up for my updates. I intend to regularly post new science-related stories and articles, which I promise will never make you want to drift off into a slumbering stupor.

Of course, there are also links to my longer, more technical journal articles on this author page, too. I think they’re great, so check them out when you’re feeling inquisitive.


Deborah Munro

Deborah Munro is an author, scientist, and president of Munro Medical, a biomedical research and consulting service. Services include:

  • Medical Device Design
  • Intellectual Property and Patents
  • Reports Regulatory Compliance
  • Prototyping and Testing
  • Expert Witnessing

Munro Medical, Biomedical Research & Consulting Services

Deborah Munro

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Day 11 - Aberdeen, Scotland. Not to be outshone b Day 11 - Aberdeen, Scotland. 
Not to be outshone by Edinburgh or Glasgow, Aberdeen is a lovely city. It has a quieter, less touristy vibe, but with more people living in its urban areas. There were dozens of streets lined with row houses, all waking distance to everything. Cathedrals, monuments, parks, and shops all coexist within its borders. I went on a walking tour and stopped at the art museum on my journey, which was well worth the time. Then, I drove back to Edinburgh to return the rental car. My last hotel is next to a glorious field of yellow rapeseed plants, a fitting last image for an amazing trip. My flight out is early tomorrow morning. Thank you, Scotland, for some unforgettable memories 💛💛💛. #aberdeen #scotland
Day 9-10 Orkney Islands, Scotland. I arrived on t Day 9-10 Orkney Islands, Scotland. 
I arrived on the ferry at Orkney Island  and met up with my good friend who took a faculty position there about 1.5 years ago. It's a windblown, treeless place covered in grasslands, crofter stone houses from the 1700s, stone fences, sheep, cows, rabbits, and pheasant. The coastlines are phenomenal,  and the historic churches and narrow, meandering streets add historical charm. Orkney is known for its Neolithic history, with likely hundreds of cairns, broghs, and standing stone circles, the biggest of which is the Ring of Brodgar. We had a rare dry and windless day to explore everything, and I had a blast. This morning, I took the ferry back to the mainland and drove six hours in a downpour (and flooding) to Aberdeen, tired but content. Tomorrow is my last full day before I fly back to the US. #orkney #aberdeen #scotland
Day 7 - Argyllshire to Loch Ness. I drove 5 hours Day 7 - Argyllshire to Loch Ness.
I drove 5 hours north today, winding along the lochs, through the foggy highlands, and down tree-lined roads. The bright yellow fields are rapeseed oil, and the scrub is gorse. It rained until 11:30am, but stopped in time for Urquhart Castle on the Loch Ness. Yes! I saw Nessie, but unfortunately, I blocked the view of her in my selfie, lol. I've marked the location for you. Now, I'm at the northern tip of the mainland, marked by a sturdy lighthouse,  about to take the ferry over to the Orkney Islands, where I'll be for two nights with friends. 🥰 #LochNess #UrquhartCastle #Scotland
Day 6 - Glasgow to Argyllshire. I started my day Day 6 - Glasgow to Argyllshire. 
I started my day with a Full Scottish Breakfast, including haggis for the first time, which was delicious in spite of the off-putting name, lol. It reminds me of corned beef hash, but it's made with lamb and whole oats. I stopped at the aquarium at Loch Lomond (yes, On the bonnie, bonnie banks of Loch Lomond), then went to the home region of my ancestors in Argyllshire in the western highlands. It's a gorgeous country of rolling hills, pines, and endless lochs. I don't know exactly where my people lived, but Oban was one possibility. While there, I visited the ancestral home of the McDougall's, DunOllie Castle, which is now a ruin. #Argyll #Scotland #ancestry
Day 5 - Glasgow, Scotland. The rain finally arrive Day 5 - Glasgow, Scotland. The rain finally arrived, but I still managed to enjoy some sites in Glasgow before deciding an early night was in order. The one-hour drive for Edinburgh was entertaining in my rental car, as the steering wheel is on the right, it's a 6-speed manual transmission, and you have to lift a collar on the shifter to put the car in reverse (took me 5 min to figure that out). The "classic rock" station played everything from the Rolling Stones and Van Halen to Culture Club, with a good mix of British pop I've never heard. Oh, and all the road distances are in miles and speeds in mph, unlike the rest of Europe, including Ireland. 🤣 #glasgow #scotland
Days 3 + 4, Edinburgh, Scotland. Most of my two da Days 3 + 4, Edinburgh, Scotland. Most of my two days were occupied by the World Congress on Endometriosis, but I still managed to take in a few sites around the city. We had some actual fog last night, which fit with my imaginings of the UK, along with bright red phone booths, pubs, and cobblestone streets. But there were surprises, too, like the amazing Camera Obscura exhibit, Dolly the first ever cloned sheep, a man with owls on the street, and a bagpipe playing rock band that was quite talented! #scotland #edinburgh #fog #owl #dollythesheep
Day 2: Edinburgh, Scotland. I had a second beautif Day 2: Edinburgh, Scotland. I had a second beautiful day to explore the city, including walking up to the St Anthony's Chapel ruins, which overlook the city and loch below. So many details of this city are inspiring, from its bright doors and archways to its unicorn mascot. The flora is embracing spring, and some birds graciously posed for me. I finished the day with opening ceremonies for the conference I'm attending, complete with a talented bagpipe player in full highlander garb 😍. #scotland #edinburgh #nature
Day 1 in Edinburgh, Scotland. What a gorgeous city Day 1 in Edinburgh, Scotland. What a gorgeous city, full of history, architecture, and monuments to its ancestors! One its largest monuments is to author Sir Walter Scott, who wrote Ivanhoe and Waverly (both of which I now wish to read), and is credited with revival of Scottish pride and its swashbuckling, highlander heroes that make many of us proud to carry those bloodlines. Edinburgh Castle, perched on a high rocky mound overlooking the city,  was the home of Mary Queen of Scots and the birthplace of her son, James, who became king. So far, the weather has remained dry, and I look forward to another day of adventure :).
The Rummage Sale: A Metaphor for Dating in the Mod The Rummage Sale: A Metaphor for Dating in the Modern World 
https://deborahmunroauthor.com/2023/04/the-rummage-sale-a-metaphor-for-dating-in-the-modern-world/
Happy St Patrick's Day from CJ and Debbie Happy St Patrick's Day from CJ and Debbie
Party in the terminal tonight, everyone celebratin Party in the terminal tonight, everyone celebrating the #SDSU basketball conference win 🏆.
Impressions from Las Vegas. Impressions from Las Vegas.
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