In Margaret Atwood’s Oryx and Crake, the gentle genetically engineered humans are called Crakers.
Crake designs the Crakers as a replacement for Homo sapiens, attempting to create a peaceful, environmentally compatible species. They are herbivorous humanoids engineered to avoid many traits Crake considers destructive, including aggression, possessiveness, and harmful social hierarchies. Their biology also includes unusual reproductive and physical adaptations.
The Crakers live in a carefully designed habitat and initially regard Snowman—formerly Jimmy—as a teacher and almost supernatural figure. Because they are innocent and unfamiliar with the old human world, Snowman must invent explanations for death, history, and his own relationship to their creator. Their questions gradually expose the gap between Crake’s scientific design and the unpredictable realities of culture.
The Crakers are often confused with other engineered creatures in the novel. Pigoons are genetically modified pigs developed to grow transplant organs, while wolvogs are dangerous hybrid animals. The Crakers, by contrast, are engineered human-like beings and the central experiment in Crake’s plan to replace humanity after the BlyssPluss catastrophe.