genetics 19 November 2008
I’m wondering if I should start growing my organs. I base this on the story that a woman has had a bronchial tube fitted that was made from stem cells taken from her bone marrow. What bothers me is that no time frame was given, and so I don’t know if the tube took a while to get ready, so that’s why I think it might be time to get a few things started for the inevitable decrepitude that must take its toll. To be honest I’m keen on having a lot less of myself rather than more, but it would be handy to have a range of the bits that ‘go’ first ready and waiting. I don’t think I’ll grown anything like legs or arms as I don’t want more of the same there – I want slimmer ones and that even if I used them when they were tiny like those heartstring-tugging baby vegetables in the shops I suspect they’d just continue growing and end up no better than I was.
Another great story today is about an Estonian spy who infiltrated NATO and worked away there for decades. He is now under arrest and charged with treason – it seems such an old-fashioned crime these days, doesn’t it? And an almost romantic one. I suppose I always think there’s nothing so secret that it would be dangerous or worth knowing anymore, seeing as we are supposed to live in times of relative peace in Europe at least but of course countries have security systems and I think in the case of this chap he may have passed on details of a proposed US defence shield in Europe to ‘the other side’. All very much the stuff of thrillers.
I can’t believe John Sargent has left STRICTLY COME DANCING. I had no problem with him making it through each week, as you all know, and I think his dancing would have encouraged a lot of people to have a go – there can’t be much wrong with that. I’ll miss him, for one.
The COSTA boo award short lists are out. I am a judge in the novel category along with Matthew Sweet and Dan Fenton. Our list is
The Sacred Scripture by Sebastian Barry.
A Partisan’s Daughter by Louis de Bernieres.
The Other Hand by Chris Cleave.
Trauma by Patrick McGrath.
I recommend them all, clearly. The category winner will be announced in early January and will go forward for Book of the Year which is decided on 27th January 2009.
