24 December 2000 - glowing potato

< yesterday -- tomorrow >

Scientists Invent Glowing Potato

reporter: We’re talking with Rusty Os, scientist and advocate of research commercialization. Dr. Os, tell us about your latest invention.
scientist: The amazing glowing potato. Look!
reporter: There’s a bright idea. Why is it monster-movie green?
scientist: Technically, because it’s part jellyfish.
reporter: Uh... I see. Where’d you get the idea?
scientist: My nephew Billy said, “Aw, Mr. Potato Head’s boring, unk. Cuncha, like, make him radioactive?”
reporter: But it’s, uh, perfectly safe, right?
scientist: Perfectly safe! And just in time for Christmas! Best potato cannon ammunition you’ll ever see! Better stock up, it’s gonna be a hot product launch!

clue:

“Scientists Invent Glowing Potato” is an actual news headline. A group led by Antony Trewavas at the University of Edinburgh added the jellyfish gene for green fluorescent protein to a potato plant and hooked it into the plant’s water-stress system. The leaves glow green under blue light when the plant needs water, so that the farmer can water the crop only when necessary, saving water.

To the best of my knowledge, Antony Trewavas is nothing like Rusty Os. But what do I know?

take oh take this clue away

the Daily Whale || copyright 2000, 2024 Jay J.P. Scott <jay@satirist.org>