In the view presented in Michael Crichton's book "Next," science has evolved from a noble pursuit to a commonplace career, with millions of researchers now involved. This shift suggests that the integrity once associated with scientific inquiry has been compromised by the same human flaws seen in other professions. As the field has expanded, so too have the potential for corruption and unethical behavior among scientists.

Crichton argues that scientists, like all humans, are subject to the same ethical shortcomings. As a result, actions such as dishonesty, manipulation of data, and personal conflicts arise just as they do in any other career. This perspective challenges the notion that science is inherently virtuous, emphasizing that it is, at its core, a human endeavor, and thus open to all the vices life entails.