A jar of jelly beans

"A Jar of Jelly Beans" by Franklin Gregory is a science fiction novel written in the early 1960s. Set in a dystopian future in the year 2060, the book explores themes of overpopulation, genetic manipulation, and the boundaries of societal progress. It presents a world grappling with the consequences of its former growth, where a biochemist named Justin Weatherby devises a controversial method to control the population crisis by creating smaller humans to alleviate resource constraints." In the story, Justin confronts the dire consequences of a world facing resource depletion and rampant overpopulation, reflecting on his role as an advisor to the President of the United States amidst a failing space program. The narrative unfolds as he develops a plan to inject a hormone during pregnancy to ensure that children are born at dwarf stature, capable of living a normal life but consuming fewer resources. Throughout the book, Justin navigates political intrigues, family dynamics, and ethical dilemmas as he aims to sell his radical solution to a society on the brink of chaos. In the climax, the birth of his child becomes a pivotal moment that encapsulates his hopes and fears for the future, symbolizing not only a personal triumph but also a potential shift in society's approach to its existential crisis.