I read about this last week at T’s blog and had to share it here:
From this post:
i’m catching up on some work reading (i work at a medical center/research/grad school). well, researchers have discovered a new oncogene – a gene that causes cancer. what did they name it?
POKEMON
they are already developing the “Pokemon protein” to combat it. and my head is filled with visions of Pokemon stadium.
Oncogene, with the power of transform, will face the newest poke, “Pokemon Protein,” or PP. He’ll face Oncogene with the power of a crippling punch or knockout.*
i can’t wait for the game to come out. my nephews & i will have a blast.
*Knockout is an actual term used when genetic engineering inactivates a gene.
But wait, there’s more!
A few days later, T posted an update with a picture of ONCOGENE by xalres!
I posted the picture here, but you can read T’s post here.
I know it sounds like this is all a big joke, but this is true. And in all seriousness, if you had the Pokemon gene, it would be really really bad health news. I mean, could you imagine if your doctor told you you had the Pokemon gene?
you WOULD post this as i think about the craziness of even attempting to apply for med school!
Yay for research! I hope they find a cure, stupid name or not.
Heh, did you know there’s a Pokemon character named Koga? I kid you not!
http://www.republicjewelry.com/koga.htm
Ugh- I think I would prefer not to know if I had that gene. There’s so much doctors can tell you these days, but not enough cures, so maybe in this situation, ignorance is bliss.
thanks joz. i still can’t figure out how i would react if a doctor told me i tested positive for Pokemon. i mean, it’s bad…but Pokemon???