 The biotechnology industry magazine "Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News" complained about the array of stereotyped corporate villains, and described Crichton's arguments against gene patents and commercial ownership of genes as "the usual suspects".Although it hoped poor reviews would reduce the book's impact, it noted that two Congressmen introduced a bill to ban future gene patents and abolish existing ones.Writers on technology-related law suggested "Next" and Crichton's opinion article in "The New York Times" may have been partly responsible for this bill.