Germany cured HIV and leukemia using stem cell transplants. (“Doctors' Complaint”). In the United States, spinal cord injuries are treated through the use of stem cell therapy (“Stem Cell Research”). Scotland cloned a sheep using a stem cell from a mammary gland (Knight). Despite all these promising discoveries, HG Wells warns of the dangers associated with scientific advances. The Island of Doctor Moreau by H. G. Wells was written in 1896. Initially, The Island of Doctor Moreau portrays a castaway on an island ruled by a deranged scientist who attempts to create man through horrific experiments. As an exploration of ethics, Wells' novel questions whether man is responsible enough to exercise power over other life forms and influence evolution in the face of current scientific discoveries in medicine. Written more than 115 years ago, The Island of Doctor Moreau raises relevant ethical concerns in today's society. It is clear that man imposes his will on inferior beings, seeks to accelerate evolution through science, and behaves irresponsibly for selfish purposes. The Island of Doctor Moreau resembles the Garden of Eden, except that in Wells's distorted version, man has taken over God's role as creator. Edward Prendeck is a castaway, rescued and brought to an island by a man named Montgomery. After being locked in a room for several days, Prendeck wonders what is happening outside the four walls where he is trapped. He eventually meets Doctor Moreau: a scientist expelled from England for illegal vivisection of animals. On his island, Montgomery brings back some animals so that Moreau can continue his experiments. He is trying to turn humans into animals. Moreau is ultimately killed by his latest experiment, and Montgomery follows him not long after. Prendeck f...... middle of paper ......es." The Living Novel. 1947. Reprinted in: "HG Wells Twentieth-century Literary Criticism." Vol. 6. Detroit: Gale Research, 1982. 534-35. "Rabbits in laboratories | PETA.org." People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA): The Animal Rights Organization | PETA.org. Web. May 13, 2011. "Stem Cell Basics: Introduction [About Stem Cells]." About stem cells NIH Home Page. National Institutes of Health Resources for Stem Cell Research, April 28, 2009. Web, May 11, 2011. "Facts on Adult Stem Cell Research - Adult Stem Cells - Therapies and Treatments." Wells, H. G. The Island of Doctor Moreau 1896. Print.