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| Playing God in a science lab. |
The premise of this story is chilling, and given our current post-COVID-19 reality, it only amplifies the sense of dread it evokes. "The Moral Virologist" employs the classic 'mad scientist' trope, presenting a supervillain origin story with a slight twist. Shawcross is an ultraconservative, right-wing individual, deeply entrenched in Christian religious beliefs, and fervently homophobic. He is on a mission to purge the world of all homosexuals and adulterers.
This god complex will ultimately be his downfall although the author isn't going for originality. Rather, a substantial portion of the story focuses on the complex science underlying Shawcross's development of the virus, its various mutations, and the alarming pace at which it spreads across the globe. The author displays a great deal of skill to balance the hard-science fiction elements with philosophical introspection in a captivating way that doesn't just become insufferable gibberish. While the story may taper off slightly towards the end, it remains a commendable contribution from an author of considerable talent.
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