Odin_NP0 ,_PUN in_PRP Norse_NN1 mythology_NN1 ,_PUN is_VBZ an_AT0 extremely_AV0 powerful_AJ0 god_NN1 who_PNQ 's_VBZ also_AV0 a_AT0 trickster_NN1 ._SENT He_PNP has_VHZ only_AV0 one_CRD eye_NN1 ,_PUN having_VHG sacrificed_VVN the_AT0 other_NN1 for_PRP wisdom_NN1 ._SENT Among_PRP his_DPS many_DT0 talents_NN2 ,_PUN he_PNP can_VM0 wake_VVI the_AT0 dead_AJ0 ,_PUN calm_AJ0 storms_NN2 ,_PUN cure_VVB the_AT0 sick_AJ0 ,_PUN and_CJC blind_VVB his_DPS enemies_NN2 ._SENT Not_XX0 infrequently_AV0 ,_PUN he_PNP transforms_VVZ himself_PNX into_PRP an_AT0 animal_NN1 ;_PUN as_CJS a_AT0 snake_NN1 ,_PUN he_PNP acquires_VVZ the_AT0 gift_NN1 of_PRF poetry_NN1 ,_PUN which_DTQ he_PNP transfers_VVZ to_PRP people_NN0 ,_PUN inadvertently_AV0 ._SENT 
The_AT0 Odin_NP0 ,_PUN in_PRP Oakland_NP0 ,_PUN California_NP0 ,_PUN is_VBZ a_AT0 company_NN1 that_CJT sells_VVZ genetic-engineering_AJ0 kits_NN2 ._SENT The_AT0 company_NN1 's_POS founder_NN1 ,_PUN Josiah_NP0 Zayner_NP0 ,_PUN has_VHZ a_AT0 shock_NN1 of_PRF dyed-blond_AJ0 hair_NN1 ,_PUN multiple_AJ0 piercings_NN2 ,_PUN and_CJC a_AT0 tattoo_NN1 that_CJT urges_VVZ :_PUN Create_VVB Something_PNI Beautiful_AJ0 ._SENT He_PNP holds_VVZ a_AT0 PhD_NN1 in_PRP biophysics_NN2 and_CJC is_VBZ a_AT0 well-known_AJ0 provocateur_NN1 ._SENT Among_PRP his_DPS many_DT0 stunts_NN2 ,_PUN he_PNP has_VHZ coaxed_VVN his_DPS skin_NN1 to_TO0 produce_VVI a_AT0 fluorescent_AJ0 protein_NN1 ,_PUN ingested_VVD a_AT0 friend_NN1 's_POS poop_NN1 in_PRP a_AT0 DIY_NN1 fecal-matter_NN1 transplant_NN1 ,_PUN and_CJC attempted_VVD to_TO0 deactivate_VVI one_CRD of_PRF his_DPS genes_NN2 so_CJS he_PNP could_VM0 grow_VVI bigger_AJC biceps_NN2 ._SENT (_PUL This_DT0 last_ORD effort_NN1 ,_PUN he_PNP acknowledges_VVZ ,_PUN failed_VVD ._SENT )_PUR Zayner_NP0 calls_VVZ himself_PNX a_AT0 "_PUQ genetic_AJ0 designer_NN1 "_PUQ and_CJC has_VHZ said_VVN his_DPS goal_NN1 is_VBZ to_TO0 give_VVI people_NN0 access_NN1 to_PRP the_AT0 resources_NN2 they_PNP need_VVB to_TO0 modify_VVI life_NN1 in_PRP their_DPS spare_AJ0 time_NN1 ._SENT 
The_AT0 Odin_NP0 's_POS offerings_NN2 range_NN1 from_PRP a_AT0 "_PUQ Biohack_NN1 the_AT0 Planet_NN1 "_PUQ shot_NN1 glass_NN1 ,_PUN which_DTQ costs_VVZ three_CRD bucks_NN2 ,_PUN to_PRP a_AT0 "_PUQ genetic_AJ0 engineering_NN1 home_NN1 lab_NN1 kit_NN1 ,_PUN "_PUQ which_DTQ runs_VVZ $_NN0 1_CRD ,_PUN 849_CRD and_CJC includes_VVZ a_AT0 centrifuge_NN1 ,_PUN a_AT0 polymerase_NN1 chain-reaction_NN1 machine_NN1 ,_PUN and_CJC an_AT0 electrophoresis_NN1 gel_NN1 box_NN1 ._SENT I_PNP opted_VVD for_PRP something_PNI in_AVP between_PRP :_PUN the_AT0 "_PUQ bacterial_AJ0 CRISPR_NN1 and_CJC fluorescent_AJ0 yeast_NN1 combo_NN1 kit_NN1 ,_PUN "_PUQ which_DTQ set_VVD me_PNP back_AVP $_NN0 209._CRD It_PNP came_VVD in_PRP a_AT0 cardboard_AJ0 box_NN1 decorated_VVN with_PRP the_AT0 company_NN1 's_POS logo_NN1 ,_PUN a_AT0 twisting_AJ0 tree_NN1 circled_VVD by_PRP a_AT0 double_AJ0 helix_NN1 ._SENT The_AT0 tree_NN1 ,_PUN I_PNP believe_VVB ,_PUN is_VBZ supposed_AJ0 to_TO0 represent_VVI Yggdrasil_NP0 ,_PUN whose_DTQ trunk_NN1 ,_PUN in_PRP Norse_NN1 mythology_NN1 ,_PUN rises_VVZ through_PRP the_AT0 center_NN1 of_PRF the_AT0 cosmos_NN1 ._SENT 
Inside_AV0 the_AT0 box_NN1 ,_PUN I_PNP found_VVD an_AT0 assortment_NN1 of_PRF lab_NN1 tools_NN2 —_PUN pipette_NN1 tips_NN2 ,_PUN petri_NN2 dishes_NN2 ,_PUN disposable_AJ0 gloves_NN2 —_PUN as_CJS well_AV0 as_CJS several_DT0 vials_NN2 containing_VVG E_ZZ0 ._SENT coli_NN2 and_CJC all_AV0 I_PNP 'd_VM0 need_VVI to_TO0 rearrange_VVI its_DPS genome_NN1 ._SENT The_AT0 E_NP0 ._SENT coli_NN2 went_VVD into_PRP the_AT0 fridge_NN1 ,_PUN next_ORD to_PRP the_AT0 butter_NN1 ._SENT The_AT0 other_AJ0 vials_NN2 went_VVD into_PRP a_AT0 bin_NN1 in_PRP the_AT0 freezer_NN1 with_PRP the_AT0 ice_NN1 cream_NN1 ._SENT 
Genetic_AJ0 engineering_NN1 is_VBZ ,_PUN by_PRP now_AV0 ,_PUN middle-aged_AJ0 ._SENT The_AT0 first_ORD genetically_AV0 engineered_AJ0 bacterium_NN1 was_VBD produced_VVN in_PRP 1973._CRD This_DT0 was_VBD soon_AV0 followed_VVN by_PRP a_AT0 genetically_AV0 engineered_AJ0 mouse_NN1 ,_PUN in_PRP 1974_CRD ,_PUN and_CJC a_AT0 genetically_AV0 engineered_AJ0 tobacco_NN1 plant_NN1 ,_PUN in_PRP 1983._CRD The_AT0 first_ORD genetically_AV0 engineered_AJ0 food_NN1 approved_VVN for_PRP human_AJ0 consumption_NN1 ,_PUN the_AT0 Flavr_NP0 Savr_NP0 tomato_NN1 ,_PUN was_VBD licensed_VVN in_PRP 1994_CRD ;_PUN it_PNP proved_VVD such_DT0 a_AT0 disappointment_NN1 it_PNP went_VVD out_AVP of_PRF production_NN1 a_AT0 few_DT0 years_NN2 later_AV0 ._SENT Genetically_AV0 engineered_AJ0 varieties_NN2 of_PRF corn_NN1 and_CJC soy_AJ0 were_VBD developed_VVN at_PRP around_PRP the_AT0 same_DT0 time_NN1 ;_PUN these_DT0 ,_PUN in_PRP contrast_NN1 to_PRP the_AT0 Flavr_NP0 Savr_NP0 ,_PUN have_VHB ,_PUN in_PRP the_AT0 United_NP0 States_NP0 ,_PUN become_VVN more_AV0 or_CJC less_AV0 ubiquitous_AJ0 ._SENT 
In_PRP the_AT0 last_ORD decade_NN1 or_CJC so_AV0 ,_PUN genetic_AJ0 engineering_NN1 has_VHZ undergone_VVN its_DPS own_DT0 transformation_NN1 ,_PUN thanks_NN2 to_PRP CRISPR_NP0 ._SENT CRISPR_NP0 is_VBZ shorthand_NN1 for_PRP a_AT0 suite_NN1 of_PRF techniques_NN2 —_PUN most_DT0 of_PRF them_PNP borrowed_VVD from_PRP bacteria_NN2 —_PUN that_DT0 make_VVB it_PNP vastly_AV0 easier_AJC for_PRP researchers_NN2 and_CJC biohackers_NN2 to_TO0 manipulate_VVI DNA_NN1 ._SENT (_PUL The_AT0 acronym_NN1 stands_VVZ for_PRP "_PUQ clustered_AJ0 regularly_AV0 interspaced_VVN short_AJ0 palindromic_AJ0 repeats_NN2 ._SENT "_PUQ )_PUR CRISPR_NP0 allows_VVZ its_DPS users_NN2 to_TO0 snip_VVI a_AT0 stretch_NN1 of_PRF DNA_NN1 and_CJC then_AV0 either_AV0 disable_VVI the_AT0 affected_AJ0 sequence_NN1 or_CJC replace_VVB it_PNP with_PRP a_AT0 new_AJ0 one_PNI ._SENT 
The_AT0 possibilities_NN2 that_CJT follow_VVB are_VBB pretty_AV0 much_AV0 endless_AJ0 ._SENT Jennifer_NP0 Doudna_NP0 ,_PUN a_AT0 professor_NN1 at_PRP the_AT0 University_NN1 of_PRF California_NP0 ,_PUN Berkeley_NP0 and_CJC one_CRD of_PRF the_AT0 developers_NN2 of_PRF CRISPR_NP0 ,_PUN has_VHZ put_VVN it_PNP like_PRP this_DT0 :_PUN we_PNP now_AV0 have_VHB "_PUQ a_AT0 way_NN1 to_TO0 rewrite_VVI the_AT0 very_AJ0 molecules_NN2 of_PRF life_NN1 any_DT0 way_NN1 we_PNP wish_VVB ._SENT "_PUQ With_PRP CRISPR_NN1 ,_PUN biologists_NN2 have_VHB already_AV0 created_VVN ,_PUN among_PRP many_DT0 ,_PUN many_DT0 other_AJ0 living_AJ0 things_NN2 :_PUN ants_NN2 that_CJT ca_VM0 n't_XX0 smell_VVI ,_PUN beagles_NN2 that_CJT grow_VVB superhero-like_AJ0 muscles_NN2 ,_PUN pigs_NN2 that_CJT resist_VVB swine_NN0 fever_NN1 ,_PUN macaques_NN2 that_CJT suffer_VVB from_PRP sleep_NN1 disorders_NN2 ,_PUN coffee_NN1 beans_NN2 that_CJT contain_VVB no_AT0 caffeine_NN1 ,_PUN salmon_NN0 that_CJT do_VDB n't_XX0 lay_VVI eggs_NN2 ,_PUN mice_NN2 that_CJT do_VDB n't_XX0 get_VVI fat_AJ0 ,_PUN and_CJC bacteria_NN2 whose_DTQ genes_NN2 contain_VVB ,_PUN in_PRP code_NN1 ,_PUN Eadweard_NP0 Muybridge_NP0 's_POS famous_AJ0 series_NN0 of_PRF photographs_NN2 showing_VVG a_AT0 racehorse_NN1 in_PRP motion_NN1 ._SENT A_AT0 few_DT0 years_NN2 ago_AV0 ,_PUN a_AT0 Chinese_AJ0 scientist_NN1 ,_PUN He_PNP Jiankui_NP0 ,_PUN announced_VVD that_CJT he_PNP had_VHD produced_VVN the_AT0 world_NN1 's_POS first_ORD CRISPR-edited_AJ0 humans_NN2 —_PUN twin_AJ0 baby_NN1 girls_NN2 ._SENT According_VVG to_PRP He_PNP ,_PUN the_AT0 girls_NN2 '_POS genes_NN2 had_VHD been_VBN tweaked_VVN to_TO0 confer_VVI resistance_NN1 to_PRP HIV_NP0 ,_PUN though_AV0 whether_CJS this_DT0 is_VBZ actually_AV0 the_AT0 case_NN1 remains_VVZ unclear_AJ0 ._SENT Shortly_AV0 after_CJS he_PNP made_VVD the_AT0 announcement_NN1 ,_PUN He_PNP was_VBD placed_VVN under_PRP house_NN1 arrest_NN1 in_PRP Shenzhen_NP0 ._SENT 
I_PNP have_VHB almost_AV0 no_AT0 experience_NN1 in_PRP genetics_NN1 and_CJC have_VHB not_XX0 done_VDN hands-on_AJ0 lab_NN1 work_NN1 since_PRP high_AJ0 school_NN1 ._SENT Nevertheless_AV0 ,_PUN by_PRP following_VVG the_AT0 instructions_NN2 that_CJT came_VVD in_PRP the_AT0 box_NN1 from_PRP The_AT0 Odin_NP0 ,_PUN I_PNP was_VBD able_AJ0 ,_PUN over_PRP the_AT0 course_NN1 of_PRF a_AT0 weekend_NN1 ,_PUN to_TO0 create_VVI a_AT0 novel_AJ0 organism_NN1 ._SENT First_ORD I_PNP grew_VVD up_AVP a_AT0 colony_NN1 of_PRF E_NP0 ._SENT coli_NN2 in_PRP one_CRD of_PRF the_AT0 petri_NN2 dishes_NN2 ._SENT Then_AV0 I_PNP doused_VVD it_PNP with_PRP the_AT0 various_AJ0 proteins_NN2 and_CJC bits_NN2 of_PRF designer_NN1 DNA_NN1 I_PNP 'd_VHD stored_VVN in_PRP the_AT0 freezer_NN1 ._SENT The_AT0 process_NN1 swapped_VVD out_AVP one_CRD "_PUQ letter_NN1 "_PUQ of_PRF the_AT0 bacteria_NN2 's_POS genome_NN1 ,_PUN replacing_VVG an_AT0 A_ZZ0 (_PUL adenine_NN1 )_PUR with_PRP a_AT0 C_ZZ0 (_PUL cytosine_NN1 )_PUR ._SENT Thanks_NN2 to_PRP this_DT0 emendation_NN1 ,_PUN my_DPS new_AJ0 and_CJC improved_AJ0 E_NN1 ._SENT coli_NN2 could_VM0 ,_PUN in_PRP effect_NN1 ,_PUN thumb_VVB its_DPS nose_NN1 at_PRP streptomycin_NN1 ,_PUN a_AT0 powerful_AJ0 antibiotic_NN1 ._SENT If_CJS it_PNP felt_VVD a_AT0 little_AJ0 creepy_AJ0 engineering_NN1 a_AT0 drug-resistant_AJ0 strain_NN1 of_PRF E_NP0 ._SENT coli_NN2 in_PRP my_DPS kitchen_NN1 ,_PUN there_EX0 was_VBD also_AV0 a_AT0 definite_AJ0 sense_NN1 of_PRF achievement_NN1 ._SENT So_AV0 much_AV0 so_AV0 ,_PUN in_PRP fact_NN1 ,_PUN that_CJT I_PNP decided_VVD to_TO0 move_VVI on_AVP to_PRP the_AT0 second_ORD project_NN1 in_PRP the_AT0 kit_NN1 :_PUN inserting_VVG a_AT0 jellyfish_NN0 gene_NN1 into_PRP yeast_NN1 in_PRP order_NN1 to_TO0 make_VVI it_PNP glow_VVI ._SENT 
*_PUN *_PUN *_PUN 
The_AT0 Australian_AJ0 Animal_NN1 Health_NN1 Laboratory_NN1 ,_PUN in_PRP the_AT0 city_NN1 of_PRF Geelong_NP0 ,_PUN is_VBZ one_CRD of_PRF the_AT0 most_AV0 advanced_AJ0 high-containment_AJ0 laboratories_NN2 in_PRP the_AT0 world_NN1 ._SENT It_PNP sits_VVZ behind_PRP two_CRD sets_NN2 of_PRF gates_NN2 ,_PUN the_AT0 second_ORD of_PRF which_DTQ is_VBZ intended_VVN to_TO0 foil_VVI truck_NN1 bombers_NN2 ,_PUN and_CJC its_DPS poured-concrete_NN1 walls_NN2 are_VBB thick_AJ0 enough_AV0 ,_PUN I_PNP was_VBD told_VVN ,_PUN to_TO0 withstand_VVI a_AT0 plane_NN1 crash_NN1 ._SENT There_EX0 are_VBB five_CRD hundred_CRD and_CJC twenty_CRD air-lock_AJ0 doors_NN2 at_PRP the_AT0 facility_NN1 and_CJC four_CRD levels_NN2 of_PRF security_NN1 ._SENT "_PUQ It_PNP 's_VBZ where_AVQ you_PNP 'd_VM0 want_VVI to_TO0 be_VBI in_PRP the_AT0 zombie_NN1 apocalypse_NN1 ,_PUN "_PUQ a_AT0 staff_NN0 member_NN1 told_VVD me_PNP ._SENT At_PRP the_AT0 highest_AJS security_NN1 level_NN1 —_PUN Biosafety_NP0 Level_NN1 4_CRD —_PUN are_VBB vials_NN2 of_PRF some_DT0 of_PRF the_AT0 nastiest_AJS animal-borne_AJ0 pathogens_NN2 on_PRP the_AT0 planet_NN1 ,_PUN including_PRP Ebola_NP0 ._SENT (_PUL The_AT0 laboratory_NN1 gets_VVZ a_AT0 shout-out_NN1 in_PRP the_AT0 movie_NN1 Contagion_NN1 ._SENT )_PUR Staff_NN0 members_NN2 who_PNQ work_VVB in_PRP BSL-4_AJ0 units_NN2 ca_VM0 n't_XX0 wear_VVI their_DPS own_DT0 clothes_NN2 into_PRP the_AT0 lab_NN1 and_CJC have_VHB to_TO0 shower_VVI for_PRP at_PRP least_AV0 three_CRD minutes_NN2 before_PRP heading_VVG home_NN1 ._SENT For_PRP their_DPS part_NN1 ,_PUN the_AT0 animals_NN2 at_PRP the_AT0 facility_NN1 ca_VM0 n't_XX0 leave_VVI at_PRP all_DT0 ._SENT "_PUQ Their_DPS only_AJ0 way_NN1 out_AVP is_VBZ through_PRP the_AT0 incinerator_NN1 ,_PUN "_PUQ is_VBZ how_AVQ one_CRD employee_NN1 put_VVD it_PNP to_PRP me_PNP ._SENT 
Geelong_NP0 is_VBZ about_PRP an_AT0 hour_NN1 southwest_NN1 of_PRF Melbourne_NP0 ._SENT On_PRP the_AT0 same_DT0 trip_NN1 that_CJT I_PNP met_VVD with_PRP Van_NP0 Oppen_NP0 ,_PUN I_PNP paid_VVD a_AT0 visit_NN1 to_PRP the_AT0 laboratory_NN1 ,_PUN which_DTQ goes_VVZ by_PRP the_AT0 acronym_NN1 AAHL_NP0 (_PUL rhymes_NN2 with_PRP "_PUQ maul_NN1 "_PUQ )_PUR ._SENT I_PNP 'd_VHD heard_VVN about_PRP a_AT0 gene-editing_AJ0 experiment_NN1 going_VVG on_AVP there_AV0 that_CJT intrigued_VVD me_PNP ._SENT As_CJS a_AT0 result_NN1 of_PRF yet_AV0 another_DT0 biocontrol_NN1 effort_NN1 gone_VVN awry_AV0 ,_PUN Australia_NP0 is_VBZ besieged_VVN by_PRP a_AT0 species_NN0 of_PRF giant_AJ0 toad_NN1 known_VVN familiarly_AV0 as_PRP the_AT0 cane_NN1 toad_NN1 ._SENT In_PRP keeping_VVG with_PRP the_AT0 recursive_AJ0 logic_NN1 of_PRF the_AT0 Anthropocene_NN1 ,_PUN researchers_NN2 at_PRP AAHL_NP0 were_VBD hoping_VVG to_TO0 address_VVI this_DT0 disaster_NN1 with_PRP a_AT0 further_AJC round_NN1 of_PRF biocontrol_NN1 ._SENT The_AT0 plan_NN1 involved_VVD editing_VVG the_AT0 toad_NN1 's_POS genome_NN1 using_VVG CRISPR_NN1 ._SENT 
A_AT0 biochemist_NN1 named_VVN Mark_NP0 Tizard_NP0 ,_PUN who_PNQ was_VBD in_PRP charge_NN1 of_PRF the_AT0 project_NN1 ,_PUN had_VHD agreed_VVN to_TO0 show_VVI me_PNP around_AVP ._SENT Tizard_NP0 is_VBZ a_AT0 slight_AJ0 man_NN1 with_PRP a_AT0 fringe_NN1 of_PRF white_AJ0 hair_NN1 and_CJC twinkling_VVG blue_AJ0 eyes_NN2 ._SENT Like_PRP many_DT0 of_PRF the_AT0 scientists_NN2 I_PNP met_VVD in_PRP Australia_NP0 ,_PUN he_PNP 's_VBZ from_PRP somewhere_AV0 else_AV0 ,_PUN in_PRP his_DPS case_NN1 London_NP0 ._SENT 
Before_CJS getting_VVG into_PRP amphibians_NN2 ,_PUN Tizard_NP0 worked_VVD mostly_AV0 on_PRP poultry_NN0 ._SENT Several_DT0 years_NN2 ago_AV0 ,_PUN he_PNP and_CJC some_DT0 colleagues_NN2 at_PRP AAHL_NP0 inserted_VVD a_AT0 jellyfish_NN0 gene_NN1 into_PRP a_AT0 hen_NN1 ._SENT This_DT0 gene_NN1 ,_PUN similar_AJ0 to_PRP the_AT0 one_CRD I_PNP was_VBD planning_VVG to_TO0 plug_VVI into_PRP my_DPS yeast_NN1 ,_PUN encodes_VVZ a_AT0 fluorescent_AJ0 protein_NN1 ._SENT A_AT0 chicken_NN1 in_PRP possession_NN1 of_PRF it_PNP will_VM0 ,_PUN as_CJS a_AT0 consequence_NN1 ,_PUN give_VVB off_AVP an_AT0 eerie_AJ0 glow_NN1 under_PRP UV_AJ0 light_NN1 ._SENT Next_ORD ,_PUN Tizard_NP0 figured_VVD out_AVP a_AT0 way_NN1 to_TO0 insert_VVI the_AT0 fluorescence_NN1 gene_NN1 so_AV0 that_CJT it_PNP would_VM0 be_VBI passed_VVN down_AVP to_PRP male_AJ0 offspring_NN0 only_AV0 ._SENT The_AT0 result_NN1 is_VBZ a_AT0 hen_NN1 whose_DTQ chicks_NN2 can_VM0 be_VBI sexed_VVN while_CJS they_PNP 're_VBB still_AV0 in_PRP their_DPS shells_NN2 ._SENT 
Tizard_NP0 knows_VVZ that_CJT a_AT0 lot_NN1 of_PRF people_NN0 are_VBB freaked_VVN out_AVP by_PRP genetically_AV0 modified_AJ0 organisms_NN2 ._SENT They_PNP find_VVB the_AT0 idea_NN1 of_PRF eating_VVG them_PNP repugnant_AJ0 and_CJC of_PRF releasing_VVG them_PNP into_PRP the_AT0 world_NN1 anathema_NN1 ._SENT Though_CJS he_PNP 's_VBZ no_AT0 provocateur_NN1 ,_PUN he_PNP believes_VVZ ,_PUN like_PRP Zayner_NP0 ,_PUN that_CJT such_DT0 people_NN0 are_VBB looking_VVG at_PRP things_NN2 all_DT0 wrong_AJ0 ._SENT 
"_PUQ We_PNP have_VHB chickens_NN2 that_CJT glow_VVB green_AJ0 ,_PUN "_PUQ Tizard_NP0 told_VVD me_PNP ._SENT "_PUQ And_CJC so_AV0 we_PNP have_VHB school_NN1 groups_NN2 that_CJT come_VVB ,_PUN and_CJC when_CJS they_PNP see_VVB the_AT0 green_AJ0 chicken_NN1 ,_PUN you_PNP know_VVB ,_PUN some_DT0 of_PRF the_AT0 kids_NN2 go_VVB ,_PUN '_PUQ Oh_ITJ ,_PUN that_DT0 's_VBZ really_AV0 cool_AJ0 ._SENT Hey_ITJ ,_PUN if_CJS I_PNP eat_VVB that_DT0 chicken_NN1 ,_PUN will_VM0 I_PNP turn_VVI green_AJ0 ?_SENT '_PUQ And_CJC I_PNP 'm_VBB ,_PUN like_AV0 ,_PUN '_PUQ You_PNP eat_VVB chicken_NN1 already_AV0 ,_PUN right_AV0 ?_SENT Have_VHB you_PNP grown_VVN feathers_NN2 and_CJC a_AT0 beak_NN1 ?_SENT '_PUQ "_PUQ 
Anyway_AV0 ,_PUN according_VVG to_PRP Tizard_NP0 ,_PUN it_PNP 's_VBZ too_AV0 late_AJ0 in_PRP the_AT0 day_NN1 to_TO0 be_VBI worried_VVN about_PRP a_AT0 few_DT0 genes_NN2 here_AV0 and_CJC there_AV0 ._SENT "_PUQ If_CJS you_PNP look_VVB at_PRP a_AT0 native_AJ0 Australian_AJ0 environment_NN1 ,_PUN you_PNP see_VVB eucalyptus_AJ0 trees_NN2 ,_PUN koalas_NN2 ,_PUN kookaburras_NN2 ,_PUN whatever_DTQ ,_PUN "_PUQ he_PNP said_VVD ._SENT "_PUQ If_CJS I_PNP look_VVB at_PRP it_PNP ,_PUN as_CJS a_AT0 scientist_NN1 ,_PUN what_DTQ I_PNP 'm_VBB seeing_VVG is_VBZ multiple_AJ0 copies_NN2 of_PRF the_AT0 eucalyptus_AJ0 genome_NN1 ,_PUN multiple_AJ0 copies_NN2 of_PRF the_AT0 koala_NN1 genome_NN1 ,_PUN and_CJC so_AV0 on_AVP ._SENT And_CJC these_DT0 genomes_NN2 are_VBB interacting_VVG with_PRP each_DT0 other_NN1 ._SENT Then_AV0 ,_PUN all_DT0 of_PRF a_AT0 sudden_AJ0 ,_PUN ploomph_NN1 ,_PUN you_PNP put_VVD an_AT0 additional_AJ0 genome_NN1 in_PRP there_AV0 —_PUN the_AT0 cane_NN1 toad_NN1 genome_NN1 ._SENT It_PNP was_VBD never_AV0 there_AV0 before_AV0 ,_PUN and_CJC its_DPS interaction_NN1 with_PRP all_DT0 these_DT0 other_AJ0 genomes_NN2 is_VBZ catastrophic_AJ0 ._SENT It_PNP takes_VVZ other_AJ0 genomes_NN2 out_AVP completely_AV0 ._SENT 
"_PUQ What_DTQ people_NN0 are_VBB not_XX0 seeing_VVG is_VBZ that_CJT this_DT0 is_VBZ already_AV0 a_AT0 genetically_AV0 modified_AJ0 environment_NN1 ,_PUN "_PUQ he_PNP went_VVD on_AVP ._SENT Invasive_AJ0 species_NN0 alter_VVB the_AT0 environment_NN1 by_PRP adding_VVG entire_AJ0 genomes_NN2 that_CJT do_VDB n't_XX0 belong_VVI ._SENT Genetic_AJ0 engineers_NN2 ,_PUN by_PRP contrast_NN1 ,_PUN alter_VVB just_AV0 a_AT0 few_DT0 bits_NN2 of_PRF DNA_NN1 here_AV0 and_CJC there_AV0 ._SENT 
"_PUQ What_DTQ we_PNP 're_VBB doing_VDG is_VBZ potentially_AV0 adding_VVG on_PRP maybe_AV0 ten_CRD more_DT0 genes_NN2 onto_PRP the_AT0 twenty_CRD thousand_CRD toad_NN1 genes_NN2 that_CJT should_VM0 n't_XX0 be_VBI there_AV0 in_PRP the_AT0 first_ORD place_NN1 ,_PUN and_CJC those_DT0 ten_CRD will_VM0 sabotage_VVI the_AT0 rest_NN1 and_CJC take_VVB them_PNP out_AVP of_PRF the_AT0 system_NN1 and_CJC so_AV0 restore_VVB balance_NN1 ,_PUN "_PUQ Tizard_NP0 said_VVD ._SENT "_PUQ The_AT0 classic_AJ0 thing_NN1 people_NN0 say_VVB with_PRP molecular_AJ0 biology_NN1 is_VBZ :_PUN Are_VBB you_PNP playing_VVG God_NP0 ?_SENT Well_AV0 ,_PUN no._NN1 We_PNP are_VBB using_VVG our_DPS understanding_NN1 of_PRF biological_AJ0 processes_NN2 to_TO0 see_VVI if_CJS we_PNP can_VM0 benefit_VVI a_AT0 system_NN1 that_CJT is_VBZ in_PRP trauma_NN1 ._SENT "_PUQ 
*_PUN *_PUN *_PUN 
Formally_AV0 known_VVN as_PRP Rhinella_NP0 marina_NN1 ,_PUN cane_NN1 toads_NN2 are_VBB a_AT0 splotchy_AJ0 brown_NN1 ,_PUN with_PRP thick_AJ0 limbs_NN2 and_CJC bumpy_AJ0 skin_NN1 ._SENT Descriptions_NN2 inevitably_AV0 emphasize_VVB their_DPS size_NN1 ._SENT "_PUQ Rhinella_NP0 marina_NN1 is_VBZ an_AT0 enormous_AJ0 ,_PUN warty_AJ0 bufonid_NN1 (_PUL true_AJ0 toad_NN1 )_PUR ,_PUN "_PUQ notes_VVZ the_AT0 U.S._NP0 Fish_NN0 and_CJC Wildlife_NN1 Service_NN1 ._SENT "_PUQ Large_AJ0 individuals_NN2 sitting_VVG on_PRP roadways_NN2 are_VBB easily_AV0 mistaken_VVN for_PRP boulders_NN2 ,_PUN "_PUQ observes_VVZ the_AT0 U.S._NP0 Geological_AJ0 Survey_NN1 ._SENT The_AT0 biggest_AJS cane_NN1 toad_NN1 ever_AV0 recorded_VVN was_VBD fifteen_CRD inches_NN2 long_AV0 and_CJC weighed_VVD almost_AV0 six_CRD pounds_NN2 —_PUN as_CJS much_AV0 as_CJS a_AT0 chubby_AJ0 chihuahua_NN1 ._SENT A_AT0 toad_NN1 named_VVN Bette_NP0 Davis_NP0 ,_PUN who_PNQ lived_VVD at_PRP the_AT0 Queensland_NP0 Museum_NN1 ,_PUN in_PRP Brisbane_NP0 ,_PUN in_PRP the_AT0 1980s_CRD ,_PUN was_VBD nine_CRD and_CJC a_AT0 half_DT0 inches_NN2 long_AV0 and_CJC almost_AV0 as_CJS wide_AJ0 —_PUN about_PRP the_AT0 size_NN1 of_PRF a_AT0 dinner_NN1 plate_NN1 ._SENT The_AT0 toads_NN2 will_VM0 eat_VVI almost_AV0 anything_PNI they_PNP can_VM0 fit_VVI in_PRP their_DPS oversized_AJ0 mouths_NN2 ,_PUN including_PRP mice_NN2 ,_PUN dog_NN1 food_NN1 ,_PUN and_CJC other_AJ0 cane_NN1 toads_NN2 ._SENT 
Cane_NN1 toads_NN2 are_VBB native_AJ0 to_PRP South_NP0 America_NP0 ,_PUN Central_AJ0 America_NP0 ,_PUN and_CJC the_AT0 very_AV0 southernmost_AJ0 tip_NN1 of_PRF Texas_NP0 ._SENT In_PRP the_AT0 mid-1800s_NN2 ,_PUN they_PNP were_VBD imported_VVN to_PRP the_AT0 Caribbean_NP0 ._SENT The_AT0 idea_NN1 was_VBD to_TO0 enlist_VVI the_AT0 toads_NN2 in_PRP the_AT0 battle_NN1 against_PRP beetle_NN1 grubs_NN2 ,_PUN which_DTQ were_VBD plaguing_VVG the_AT0 region_NN1 's_POS cash_NN1 crop_NN1 —_PUN sugar_NN1 cane_NN1 ._SENT (_PUL Sugar_NN1 cane_NN1 ,_PUN too_AV0 ,_PUN is_VBZ an_AT0 imported_AJ0 species_NN0 ;_PUN it_PNP is_VBZ native_AJ0 to_PRP New_NP0 Guinea_NP0 ._SENT )_PUR From_PRP the_AT0 Caribbean_AJ0 ,_PUN the_AT0 toads_NN2 were_VBD shipped_VVN to_PRP Hawaii_NP0 and_CJC from_PRP there_AV0 ,_PUN to_PRP Australia_NP0 ._SENT In_PRP 1935_CRD ,_PUN a_AT0 hundred_CRD and_CJC two_CRD toads_NN2 were_VBD loaded_VVN onto_PRP a_AT0 steamer_NN1 in_PRP Honolulu_NP0 ._SENT A_AT0 hundred_CRD and_CJC one_CRD of_PRF them_PNP survived_VVD the_AT0 journey_NN1 and_CJC ended_VVD up_AVP at_PRP a_AT0 research_NN1 station_NN1 in_PRP sugar-cane_NN1 country_NN1 ,_PUN on_PRP Australia_NP0 's_POS northeast_NN1 coast_NN1 ._SENT Within_PRP a_AT0 year_NN1 ,_PUN they_PNP 'd_VHD produced_VVN more_AV0 than_CJS 1.5_CRD million_CRD eggs_NN2 ._SENT The_AT0 resulting_AJ0 toadlets_NN2 were_VBD intentionally_AV0 released_VVN into_PRP the_AT0 region_NN1 's_POS rivers_NN2 and_CJC ponds_NN2 ._SENT 
It_PNP 's_VBZ doubtful_AJ0 that_CJT the_AT0 toads_NN2 ever_AV0 did_VDD the_AT0 sugar_NN1 cane_NN1 much_AV0 good_AJ0 ._SENT Cane_NN1 grubs_NN2 perch_VVB too_AV0 high_AJ0 off_PRP the_AT0 ground_NN1 for_PRP a_AT0 boulder-sized_AJ0 amphibian_NN1 to_TO0 reach_VVI ._SENT This_DT0 did_VDD n't_XX0 faze_VVI the_AT0 toads_NN2 ._SENT They_PNP found_VVD plenty_PNI else_AV0 to_TO0 eat_VVI and_CJC continued_VVD to_TO0 produce_VVI toadlets_NN2 by_PRP the_AT0 truckload_NN1 ._SENT From_PRP a_AT0 sliver_NN1 of_PRF the_AT0 Queensland_NP0 coast_NN1 ,_PUN they_PNP pushed_VVD north_NN1 ,_PUN into_PRP the_AT0 Cape_NP0 York_NP0 Peninsula_NN1 ,_PUN and_CJC south_NN1 ,_PUN into_PRP New_NP0 South_NP0 Wales_NP0 ._SENT Sometime_AV0 in_PRP the_AT0 1980s_CRD ,_PUN they_PNP crossed_VVD into_PRP the_AT0 Northern_AJ0 Territory_NN1 ._SENT In_PRP 2005_CRD ,_PUN they_PNP reached_VVD a_AT0 spot_NN1 known_VVN as_PRP Middle_AJ0 Point_NN1 ,_PUN in_PRP the_AT0 western_AJ0 part_NN1 of_PRF the_AT0 Territory_NN1 ,_PUN not_XX0 far_AV0 from_PRP the_AT0 city_NN1 of_PRF Darwin_NP0 ._SENT 
Along_PRP the_AT0 way_NN1 ,_PUN something_PNI curious_AJ0 happened_VVD ._SENT In_PRP the_AT0 early_AJ0 phase_NN1 of_PRF the_AT0 invasion_NN1 ,_PUN the_AT0 toads_NN2 were_VBD advancing_VVG at_PRP the_AT0 rate_NN1 of_PRF about_AV0 six_CRD miles_NN2 a_AT0 year_NN1 ._SENT A_AT0 few_DT0 decades_NN2 later_AV0 ,_PUN they_PNP were_VBD moving_VVG at_PRP twelve_CRD miles_NN2 a_AT0 year_NN1 ._SENT 
