Scientists Attach Bar Codes To Embryos

Zothecula writes "Fans of the film Blade Runner may remember a scene in which the maker of an artificial snake is identified by a microscopic serial number on one of its scales. Well, in a rare case of present-day technology actually surpassing that predicted in a movie, we've now gone one better — bar codes on embryos. Scientists from Spain's Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), along with colleagues from the Spanish National Research Council, have successfully developed an identification system in which mouse embryos and oocytes (egg cells) are physically tagged with microscopic silicon bar code labels. They expect to try it out on human embryos and oocytes soon."

Is this where...

[Dexter Herbivore]

I put on my tinfoil hat and proclaim that the insane conspiracy fantasies of right wing fundamentalist nutters are coming true? On second thoughts, I may need to be dosed up with a little more religion.... or LSD.

Re:Is this where...

[TheHonch]

No, this is where you say "I, for one, welcome our bar-coded overlords"

Sweet!

[commodoresloat]

Finally, a use for my :cue:cat!!!!

Re:Dibs!

[PolygamousRanchKid]

Someone I knew during my university days in scenic New Jersey painted "666" on his forehead, and walked into the local 24-hour Wawa market (it's like a Kwik-E-Mart) at the middle of the night. Some Schlaumeyer grabbed two loaves of French bread (baguettes), and put them in a cross shape. Then he yelled, "Back! Back!"

At least one person in the store got the joke.

Easier for adoption agencies too

[michelcolman]

Just take the baby off the shelf, scan the bar code, enter your credit card, and all the paperwork takes care of itself!

Re:Dibs!

[Vernes]

Is the barcode alphanumeric? In that case I claim: "Robert`); DROP TABLE Students;--"