Tuesday
First day of the work week. And it was over pretty quickly. Three more to go.

NPR/PRI
There was a story on The World about a research team in Australia that wants to reintroduce the Tasmanian Tiger. Here’s a little background: The animal is actually a marsupial (think kangaroo, wombat or bandicoot) – it carries its young in a pouch.. And, I think that I should also mention: It’s extinct. That’s right, boys and girls, extinct. And it has been that way since 1937.

It seems that they have found DNA from the remains of a female tiger pup. Now, they want to genetically (re-)engineer the animal using this DNA and DNA from two males. Assuming that the DNA is viable, this is now a scientific possibility. The one thing that flashed through my mind when I heard this was: Didn’t any of these people read Jurassic Park or see the movies?!

If God, Mother Nature and/or Darwin decided that the creature had served its purpose, why do these scientists think that it needs to be brought back for an encore presentation? Seriously, what purpose does bringing it back serve? Julia also mentioned that viruses remain in their hosts if they are not eliminated. Thus, if it was a virus that destroyed the Tasmanian Tiger, it could potentially be recreated and reintroduced if the animal is created. If the virus has survived preservation and survives the cloning/genetic engineering, what’s to say that it wouldn’t destroy the host? Can you say “Possible Catch-22,” boys and girls? I thought so.

Quotes of the Day:

  • Dee and Harmon worked Monday. At some point, they were talking about a diet that Dee is starting. It is based on the diets of the rather long-lived residents of a village in China or Japan.

    Harmon: I wish I had a Chinese name, like…. Fond Ling Dong.

  • 3rd Rock from the Sun
    • Dick: Nina, do you think I’m whipped?
      Nina: You…? Whipped…? By Doctor Albright?!
      ::: both laugh :::
      Dick: Hilarious, isn’t it?
      ::: both laugh :::
      Nina: You are wrapped around that woman’s finger like a yo-yo… and she’s always walking the dog.

    • Dick and Harry: (back and forth) You da man! No, YOU da man!
      Dick: Dammit, Harry! I’m the High Commander! If I say ‘You da man,’ then You da man!!!

And, that wraps it up for tonight.

Peace.