What is the theme in Running Out of Time by Margaret Peterson Haddix?

The ethics of science is the main theme in the book. At the beginning of the novel, the reader has a sense that something is going wrong with Clifton. When Ma reveals that modern medicine is available, but is no longer being supplied in Clifton, Jessie, Ma, and the reader know that something is wrong. Finally as the novel unravels, the reader learns that the sole reason Clifton has been created is to do research on people. Frank Lyle and his cohorts wished to create a super human race. They lied to the families wishing to move into Clifton. They offered them a way of life and the only consequence should have been the tourists. In actuality, the tourists were a cover up for the real Clifton.