SOFT, UNSWEET, BLAND, with a touch of acid and a hint of salt. It doesn’t
have a good finish, just fades away. Sounds like a dull wine, doesn’t it? But
this is a billion-dollar taste: DNA itself.
After all the reports on the sequencing of the human genome detailing clashes
over priority, and claims and counterclaims about commercial exploitation versus
free public use, one journalist found a new twist. The New Yorker’s
Richard Preston profiled Celera’s Craig Venter in advance of the big
announcement that the genome had been sequenced.
He reports that one of Celera’s scientists, Nobel prizewinner Hamilton Smith,
showed him a glass vial of human DNA. It was, Preston said, “a crystal-clear,
syrupy liquid”—though pointing to its viscosity Smith commented “I guess
it’s like snot, too.”
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Preston touched the DNA and found it “sticky . . . like cotton candy”. Then
he asked the big question: “Would it taste sweet?”
“Actually, I’ve never tasted it,” said Smith.
Preston now has. Later in the day, he decided to sample a bit of dried calf
DNA. It melted into a gluey ooze that stuck to the roof of his mouth.
And the taste? “It had a soft taste, unsweet, rather bland, with a touch of
acid and a hint of salt . . . “
So now you know.
SHOULD WE BE WORRIED? Outside the main entrance to the headquarters of
Britain’s Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions in central
London is a patch of greenery. But when Feedback was passing the other day, all
the dwarf conifers in the bed, of which there are quite a few, appeared to be
dead.
Could this be a coded message from the DETR about the state of our
environment? Or is the DETR merely letting us know that it is
incompetent—or maybe just helpless?
REMEMBER THE “I love you” bug that crashed computers earlier this year?
Publisher Random House doesn’t seem to. It’s sending out publicity about a book
of letters from Ronnie to Nancy (Reagan, that is). How many people are brave
enough—or foolhardy enough—to open an e-mail in their inbox with
“Ronnie, I love you” in the subject line?
The content of the letters has its frightening side, too. Here’s what Ronnie
had to say to Nancy on 4 March 1963: “My Darling, This is really just an in
between day. It is a day on which I love you three hundred and sixty five days
more than I did a year ago and three hundred and sixty five days less than I
will a year from now.
“But I wonder how I lived at all for all the three hundred and sixty fives
before I met you.
“All my love, Ronnie.”
Yuk!
VISITORS TO SASKATOON in Canada can plan their trip by looking at the city’s
website. Those who like swimming will be pleased to note the facilities provided
by the Lathey Pool (www.city.saskatoon.sk.ca/tourism/recreation2.htm), which
include “zero depth water for toddlers”.
It sounds very safe—but is it any fun?
GOOD TO HEAR THAT Jane Goodall, megastar chimpanzee scientist, has recently
co-founded an association to promote ethical standards in animal behaviour
research, and to spread the word about animal sentience.
All fine and admirable—but we wonder whether Ethologists for the
Ethical Treatment of Animals/Citizens for Responsible Animal Behaviour Studies
will mind belonging to an organisation called EETA/CRABS. Aren’t some of them
are likely to be vegetarian?
SOME STUDENTS may not be all that surprised. That standard reference work
Principles of Biochemistry by Albert Lehninger is listed by the online
book-sellers bol.com under the category “Science Fiction, Fantasy and
ǰǰ”.
FOLLOWING THE LETTER we mentioned a couple of months ago (20 May) addressed
to “Mr East Kent Osteoporosis Unit”, reader Richard Patience says he is reminded
of the time he was working in the geochemistry department at BP. They received a
letter from Dorset County Council, concerning a planned field trip there,
addressed to “Mr G. O. Chemistry.”
HERE IS WHAT The Times had to say earlier this month about racing car maker
McLaren’s future plans:
“McLaren can take comfort that if Ferrari do beat them as top constructor,
their reputation will go further than this planet—to Mars, in fact.
McLaren are making carbon-fibre body panels for the Beagle 2 Mars lander, due to
land on Boxing Day, 2003. Apparently, gravity is 200 times that of Earth and
NASA believes McLaren’s knowledge of how to make cars that withstand high-speed
shunts will strengthen the Beagle’s chances of landing in one piece.”
That’s one heavy little planet, that is.
THOSE PRESCIENT COMPUTERS are at it again. Reader John Burke tells us he sent
an e-mail to someone using Lotus Notes and requested an acknowledgement receipt
so that he would know when it had been opened.
He received the following information: “Return Receipt—Your ISV
Agreement Amendment documents—document was John Coburn/EON/ie—
received at: 00:21:39 Tomorrow.”
FINALLY, we reported three weeks ago that Bosch feels it necessary to advise
customers that water from its dishwashers is not meant for culinary use. In
similar vein, Jim Dixon tells us that while waiting for his cup to brew, he
noticed the label on the tin of tea from his local Sainsbury’s supermarket.
“Contents—English Breakfast Leaf Tea,” it told him.
“Ingredients—Tea. Content not suitable for dishwasher or microwave
ܲ.”
Dixon has been obliged to keep using his old kettle and teapot.
