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It’s your new bioengineered best friend Your old household pet suddenly looks very 20th century with the advent of Genpets, these adorable, impish mini-Golems. They come in two “core configurations,” one-year lifespan and three-year lifespan, as well as seven different personality types. It may seem cruel to wrap them in plastic, but they don’t care. “Each package has an embedded microchip that monitors and controls the state of the Genpet while it is asleep waiting for you to take it home,” says the Web site. “Better yet, it displays the status of the Genpet with a Fresh Strip, as well as a fully working heart monitor in the top right of the package.” How do they stay alive exactly? This according to the FAQ: “While the Genpets hang on retail shelves they are in a chemically induced type of hibernation controlled by a protein in the packages’ nutrient supply tubes. This was a natural trait found in many seasonal animals that would normally hibernate in colder northern climates that has been added to the Genpet line. This also ensures comfort for the Genpets while they are on store shelves.” It’s a miracle of science. Via YesButNoButYes. —Posted by Tim Nudd

June 20, 2006 | Permalink

Comments

it's not really a bioengineered pet, just art...

http://www.brandejs.ca/index.php

Posted by: Dan | Jun 20, 2006 11:01:56 AM

This is a work of art by Adam Brandejs, a sculptor. His site is http://www.brandejs.ca. Also see http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/31844597/

Posted by: Dan | Jun 20, 2006 11:03:34 AM

You mean it's not real?!

Posted by: Tim Nudd | Jun 20, 2006 11:14:14 AM

Strangely, this whole thing did make me stop for a moment to ponder the future of bioengineering. But then I had to, you know, get back to writing a loan billboard.

Posted by: CorruptedJournalist | Jun 20, 2006 11:46:58 AM

Wow, that is SO freaky.

Seriously, if someone did create a bioengineered pet, I'd hope they'd at least try to make it look cute and/or fuzzy.

Posted by: Courtney | Jun 20, 2006 11:57:46 AM

Not like a chicken bred with a fetus?

Posted by: CorruptedJournalist | Jun 20, 2006 12:00:27 PM

i like the other guy named dan who posted after me with the exact same link...awesome

Posted by: Dan | Jun 20, 2006 12:50:13 PM

You posted while I was typing. I'll try and be faster next time. :)

Posted by: Dan | Jun 20, 2006 1:43:51 PM

I only support bioengineering if it means I can have a kitten who will always be a kitten. A perma-kitty. Awesome.

Posted by: Gillian | Jun 20, 2006 2:02:57 PM

haha, perma kitty's and perma-puppies...

now that'd kick ass

Posted by: Dan | Jun 20, 2006 3:41:19 PM

yeah i woiuld totally get a perma kitty

Posted by: victoria | Jun 21, 2006 10:31:13 AM

too close to baby Ronald...

Posted by: veronica | Jun 23, 2006 7:50:24 AM

Screw you, Dan.

Posted by: Dan | Jun 25, 2006 4:51:04 PM

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