in fifth grade, there was a kid named Eugene. he was teased for his name. he was often badgered with calls of "You gene!" (i guess it's clever in the fifth grade). it later evolved into "Chromosome." he'd cry. i'm not sure why. i've never thought of genetic material as insulting (other than when inheriting it from someone. yeah, "dad", i'm talkin' about you). i don't think i would have cried if someone had taken to calling me "mitochondrial DNA," or if i'd had to suffer shouts of "rough endoplasmic reticulum!" i think the boy was a bit sensitive.

i don't know what made me think of him. but here are a few links to some of the wonderful things about Eugene (Oregon).