The Other Side of the Fence
People call me. Lots of people.
In my line of work, you get to talk to all kinds, from every profession and from every walk of life. One day, I got a call from one of my regulars, returning to the fold. She works in the MIcro Path Lab at the U of Conn. Occasionally, I find myself talking shop with her, rather surprising myself that I can still fling that drivel like I was one of 'em. The particular topic in question was about how I'd love to get a few hours on the PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) machine at MOWO so I can amplify the DNA of the girls with mouth swabs to tell if they're identical twins (or even Polar Identical Twins) on my own, saving $300. I just pick a gene (The above mentioned person will hook me up with the info I need about which gene I need to test, as her buddy works in a paternity lab), and test it. I can make some beautiful karyotypes (suitable for framing) and we'll know once and for all.
Besides, I know how to run and use the equipment, and it'll be fun (like making Christmas cookies) - I can even type our blood while I'm there!!!
Anyway, it makes me wonder (for up to 10 minutes at a time) if the grass really is greener on the other side of the fence, and what my life would've been like had I went down that path. When I talk to folks like the above, I wonder exactly why it is that I'm not doing genetic research, and about all the circumstances that led me to where I am.
Mid-life crisis moment?
~Jason
In my line of work, you get to talk to all kinds, from every profession and from every walk of life. One day, I got a call from one of my regulars, returning to the fold. She works in the MIcro Path Lab at the U of Conn. Occasionally, I find myself talking shop with her, rather surprising myself that I can still fling that drivel like I was one of 'em. The particular topic in question was about how I'd love to get a few hours on the PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) machine at MOWO so I can amplify the DNA of the girls with mouth swabs to tell if they're identical twins (or even Polar Identical Twins) on my own, saving $300. I just pick a gene (The above mentioned person will hook me up with the info I need about which gene I need to test, as her buddy works in a paternity lab), and test it. I can make some beautiful karyotypes (suitable for framing) and we'll know once and for all.
Besides, I know how to run and use the equipment, and it'll be fun (like making Christmas cookies) - I can even type our blood while I'm there!!!
Anyway, it makes me wonder (for up to 10 minutes at a time) if the grass really is greener on the other side of the fence, and what my life would've been like had I went down that path. When I talk to folks like the above, I wonder exactly why it is that I'm not doing genetic research, and about all the circumstances that led me to where I am.
Mid-life crisis moment?
~Jason