02490cam a22003733u 4500 51651 UtSlPG 20260610134205.0 m cr n 260607r2016||||utu|||||o|||||||||||||| d UtSlPG en iso639-1 PS Miller, Walter M., 1923-1996 Conditionally Human Salt Lake City, UT : Project Gutenberg, 2016 1 online resource : multiple file formats text txt rdacontent computer c rdamedia online resource cr rdacarrier Produced from Galaxy Science Fiction February 1952 Release date is 2016-04-03 Produced by Greg Weeks, Mary Meehan and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net "Conditionally Human" by Walter M. Miller, Jr. is a thought-provoking science fiction novella written in the early 1950s. The narrative revolves around a future society where genetic engineering has produced synthetic humanoid creatures known as neutroids, designed to emotionally satisfy couples unable to have children. The story delves into moral dilemmas surrounding creation, affection, and the value placed on life in a world governed by strict population control and societal norms. The plot follows Terrell Norris, a bio-agent in charge of overseeing neutroid populations, as he grapples with his role in the destruction of these beings, whom society views as mere property. As Norris struggles with the emotional impact of his duties, his life becomes further complicated when he encounters Peony, a deviant neutroid with unexpected intelligence and the ability to speak. Faced with the harsh realities of his job and the impending destruction of Peony due to her deviation from standard characteristics, Norris fights against the ethics of his world. The novella explores themes of humanity, the nature of love and attachment, and the cost of societal conformity, ultimately leading to a climactic and morally ambiguous resolution. (This is an automatically generated summary.) Original publication data not identified Science fiction Spouses -- Fiction Parent and child -- Fiction Pets -- Fiction Stone, David Produced from Galaxy Science Fiction February 1952 https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/51651 92485 92485