AustLit

John Murray discusses the complex ethical considerations Victor Kelleher raises in his novel Parklands (1994) concerning biotechnologies, humanness and hybrid identities and the problems associated with distinguishing between 'human beings and other living things' (p.26). Despite the fact that Murray believes the novel fails to deal with the crucial issue of 'different treatment for different species', he does point to the range of ideas the text opens up regarding the 'integrity and beauty' of the biotic community (p.27). In particular, he argues, the novel challenges the traditional Judeo-Christian ethic which underpins Western thinking and 'regards human beings as having dominion over all living creatures' rather than 'equal members of a biotic community' (p.27). For younger readers, says Murray, the novel 'opens up a potentially very intense ethical and practical debate' and allows the reader to develop an awareness of the complexities of human effects on the environment (p.29).