Disease (Pathology)
Whether it’s curing existing diseases or encountering new ones, a bit or a lot of pathology doesn’t hurt a story or make for a bad plot device. Injecting fear and dread into any scenario can be as easy as prescribing an epidemiologist or two.
The scope in speculating future diseases can again be endless, e.g. microbial, fungal, genetic, psychiatric, crystalline extraterrestrial agents, or cyber infections.
Disease Shapes Imaginary Worlds
Pathology—the study of disease, its causes, processes, and effects—is a crucial field of medicine and science that helps us understand how ailments impact the human body. But beyond its role in real-life medicine, pathology also plays a vital role in science fiction, serving as a powerful tool for world-building, storytelling, and exploring the limits of human biology and society.
In science fiction, disease often becomes more than just a medical condition. It transforms into a central element that drives plotlines, shapes the development of characters, and explores the broader implications of health and survival. Here are some ways pathology appears in science fiction:
A Catalyst for Change
In many science fiction narratives, diseases function as a critical force that instigates dramatic shifts in society. Epidemics or pandemics can wipe out large portions of humanity, leaving behind fractured civilizations, as seen in stories like The Stand by Stephen King or The Last of Us video game series. These outbreaks often create post-apocalyptic settings where survival, adaptation, and the search for a cure become central themes.
Mutant Diseases and Genetic Experimentation
Pathology in science fiction often explores the effects of genetic manipulation and mutation. Diseases may evolve or be deliberately engineered, resulting in altered human (or non-human) forms. This concept is central to stories featuring mutants and genetically modified organisms (GMOs), as seen in X-Men or Jurassic Park.
In X-Men, mutant powers are often portrayed as either a result of genetic abnormalities or infectious agents that trigger new biological states. Pathology here examines the ethical dilemmas, social prejudices, and questions of humanity as people grapple with their altered states.
Bioengineering and Disease Control
In many science fiction universes, advanced biotechnologies and medical science coexist with life-threatening diseases. These settings explore the potential for genetic engineering, bio-enhancements, and biotechnology to eradicate or exacerbate diseases.
In The Expanse series by James S.A. Corey, we see biotechnological advancements like the creation of protomolecule-driven diseases, which manipulate human biology to transform people into hybrids of machine and organic life. Pathology here examines the boundaries between biology and technology, raising questions about what it means to be human.
Pandemics and Global Threats in Dystopian Settings
Science fiction often draws from real-world fears of pandemics, exploring the consequences of infectious disease outbreaks in dystopian or authoritarian settings. These stories delve into questions of control, survival, and societal collapse.
In The Walking Dead or Children of Men, pathogens become tools of oppression or triggers for apocalyptic decline. Pathology in these tales is not just about the disease itself but how societies attempt to manage or suppress it, revealing themes of isolation, resource scarcity, and the fragility of human civilization.
Post-Humanism and Pathological Evolution
In some science fiction works, pathology becomes a lens through which humanity’s evolution is questioned. Diseases or disorders might be viewed as evolutionary processes, leading to new forms of life.
In Neuromancer by William Gibson, cybernetic diseases and the integration of machines with human consciousness play a critical role. Pathology here examines how humanity adapts to advanced technologies, blending biology with machine parts, and how this reshapes identity and health.
Pathology is more than just the study of disease—it’s a rich narrative tool in science fiction. By exploring how diseases affect individuals, societies, and entire civilizations, science fiction writers can grapple with profound questions about humanity, identity, survival, and the future. Whether it’s pandemics, genetic mutations, or bioengineering, pathology in sci-fi helps us reflect on our relationship with the human body, health, and the uncertain paths we might face in the future.
Space-whirly, Plague Ship by Andre Norton
Denver Madness, The Sheep Look Up by John Brunner
The Green Line of Death, The Andromeda Strain by Michael Crichton
Helico virus & Silent Untreated Disease Syndrome, Brian Aldiss’s Helliconia Trilogy
Vampiris pandemic, I Am Legend by Richard Matheson
Zombie plague, World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War by Max Brooks.
Snow Crash, Snow Crash by Neal Stephenson
