I think the religion aspect might be reading too much into it, but I definitely think there is a critique of the wealthy scientists who have all this knowledge and power and then act like children. I think part of the reason she creates an unlikeable protagonist is to draw the question of what humanity really is. If it knowledge? Is it good character? Is it how we are created? Environmental factors? I think there are a lot of parallels to God and parents, the discussion of which I will save for my next post.