"Storytelling reveals meaning without committing the error of defining it." -Hannah Arendt
Sunday, April 1, 2007
GENES
Gel Electrophoresis of DNA
Send in your stories of genetic sequences and consequences.
5 comments:
Anonymous
said...
Normalization by Czeslaw Milosz
This happened long ago, before the onset of universal genetic correctness.
Boys and girls would stand naked before mirrors studying the defects of their structure.
Nose too long, ears like burdocks, sunken chin just like a mongoloid.
Breasts too small, too large, lopsided shoulders, penis too short, hips too broad or else too narrow.
And just an inch or two taller!
Such was the house they inhabited for life.
Hiding, feigning, concealing defects.
But somehow they still had to find a partner.
Following incomprehensible tastes—airy creatures paired with potbellies, skin and bones enamored of salt pork.
They had a saying then: “Even monsters have their mates.” So perhaps they learned to tolerate their partners’ flaws, trusting that theirs would be forgiven in turn.
Now every genetic error meets with such disgust that crowds might spit on them and stone them.
As happened in the city of K., where the town council voted to exile a girl
So thickset and squat that no stylish dress could ever suit her,
But let’s not yearn for the days of prenormalization. Just think of the torments, the anxieties, the sweat, the wiles needed to entice, in spite of all.
I don't believe in genetics. I tell myself that it doesn't matter that my brother is mentally disabled and my grandmother died of breast cancer and my grandfather was an alcoholic and my father is depressed. These tiny, cruel machines aren't inside of me - and I won't pass them on to my beautiful, perfect children.
I tell myself that genes are the sorcery of our era. In 100 years, people will look back and laugh at this little world that the scientists invented for us - a world where invisible ghosts ride through our bodies and threaten to turn our lives upside down at any terrible moment.
I went to the dentist after not going for 8 years. I thought I had 1400 cavities. I didn't floss.
I sat in the chair in shame as the dental hygenist looked at my teeth. I started to smell of tacos as I so often do when I'm nervous.
After a thorough look, the hygenist said "Wow, you must really take care of your teeth". I replied: "If eating massive amounts of sugar and never flossing is what you mean, then yes, I take extraordinary care."
Shocked, she looked at me and said: "After 8 years, I can't even find a piece of tartar. You have the most incredible dental genetics I have ever seen".
Since that day, I've decided to charge more at the fertility clinic.
Click on the "COMMENTS BY READERS" link. Include an email address if you'd like people to be able to contact you about your story. After you hit the "publish your comment" button, your story will appear under the "COMMENTS BY READERS" link.
5 comments:
Normalization
by Czeslaw Milosz
This happened long ago, before the onset
of universal genetic correctness.
Boys and girls would stand naked before mirrors
studying the defects of their structure.
Nose too long, ears like burdocks,
sunken chin just like a mongoloid.
Breasts too small, too large, lopsided shoulders,
penis too short, hips too broad or else too narrow.
And just an inch or two taller!
Such was the house they inhabited for life.
Hiding, feigning, concealing defects.
But somehow they still had to find a partner.
Following incomprehensible tastes—airy creatures
paired with potbellies, skin and bones enamored of salt pork.
They had a saying then: “Even monsters
have their mates.” So perhaps they learned to tolerate their partners’
flaws, trusting that theirs would be forgiven in turn.
Now every genetic error meets with such
disgust that crowds might spit on them and stone them.
As happened in the city of K., where the town council
voted to exile a girl
So thickset and squat
that no stylish dress could ever suit her,
But let’s not yearn for the days of prenormalization.
Just think of the torments, the anxieties, the sweat,
the wiles needed to entice, in spite of all.
I don't believe in genetics. I tell myself that it doesn't matter that my brother is mentally disabled and my grandmother died of breast cancer and my grandfather was an alcoholic and my father is depressed. These tiny, cruel machines aren't inside of me - and I won't pass them on to my beautiful, perfect children.
I tell myself that genes are the sorcery of our era. In 100 years, people will look back and laugh at this little world that the scientists invented for us - a world where invisible ghosts ride through our bodies and threaten to turn our lives upside down at any terrible moment.
Genes are just superstition.
I went to the dentist after not going for 8 years. I thought I had 1400 cavities. I didn't floss.
I sat in the chair in shame as the dental hygenist looked at my teeth. I started to smell of tacos as I so often do when I'm nervous.
After a thorough look, the hygenist said "Wow, you must really take care of your teeth". I replied: "If eating massive amounts of sugar and never flossing is what you mean, then yes, I take extraordinary care."
Shocked, she looked at me and said: "After 8 years, I can't even find a piece of tartar. You have the most incredible dental genetics I have ever seen".
Since that day, I've decided to charge more at the fertility clinic.
'So, what does he look like?' my mom said, asking me about the new guy I was dating, and crazy about.
'Well, actually,' I said, 'Actually...he kind of really looks like Dad.'
You write very well.
Post a Comment