Both Helix and Orphan Black not only play on fears of genetic engineering, but embed these fears within the context of cult-like organizations. In Orphan Black it is the Dyad Corporation and the actual cult of Proletheans who are interested in Project Leda's creation of the Sarah and the Clone Club; the military is in charge of Project Castor's creation of male clones. In Helix not only is there the cult-like Ilaria Corporation engineering a virus to wipe out most of humanity's "surplus population," but in Season Two we have an actual cult composed of the descendant's of one of the immortals. In this case, the cult itself is involved in splicing plants (an early form of genetic engineering) to create hybrids and creates an apple which sterilizes males (an interesting twist on the apple as forbidden fruit).
By embedding the fears of genetic engineering within a cult or cult-like organization, it amplifies human fears of hidden agendas. It also makes for some interesting plot devices and twists. Cults have been out of the news for awhile, so this plot device really is an interesting choice.
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