DNA Wonders

DNA Wonders is one of the leading companies in the field of genetic engineering. Along with MensaBreed and CloneStyles Unlimited, it operates a network of laboratories and genetic databanks across Earth and in orbit. Its Chief Executive is Eugene Splice.

Products
Latest among DNA Wonders' products are new kinds of domestic animals for city dwellers. They don't shed, they don't eat much, they're friendly and affectionate, and need to be 'walked' only once a week. The company introduced its latest designer pet, the Astro-49 on 14 October 2142. It was a dog which stood upright, had hands instead of paws and could mimic simple phrases.

On 15 June 2143 DNA Wonders released their Little Geneticist Kit, which allowed children as young as eight to start messing with the chromosomes of amoebae and paramecia.

The company used T'im to endorse its latest creation, T'im's Pool Pet, on 24 October 2146. An octopus-like creature with two hands, two flippers, and paddles at the ends of six of its eight tentacles, T'im's Pool Pet was designed as a companion and lifeguard for young swimmers.

Non-commercial activities
Although primarily a commercial company, DNA Wonders has also been involved in a number of humanitarian projects. On 28 October 2143, amid fears that Rylo-7 would collide with the Earth, the Chief Executive announced that DNA Wonders would be preserving its genetic materials databanks in orbiting laboratories to allow a new and improved human race to be re-introduced once the planet once more became habitable in two or three centuries' time.

When Big Mao, the last surviving Yeti died in captivity in Beijing on 12 May 2144, DNA Wonders harvested his genetic material and planned to clone a new, improved batch of abominable snowmen later in the year.

DNA Wonders conducted tests on the Jones and Fletcher Meat Pies on 7 March 2146, and confirmed the presence of human DNA. However, it found that the DNA did not match up with any DNA on file with the Worldwide Human Genome Center.

Controversies
Three workers at DNA Wonders were slightly injured on 9 November 2142 when a dwarf Tyrannosaurus rex escaped from the lab. The three-foot tall reconstituted dinosaur was being tested as a guard animal. A company representative commented: "It's great on the attack... it just hasn't learned how to heel yet."

A similar incident occurred on 24 March 2144 when an experimental animal escaped from the main DNA Wonders laboratory and terrorised passersby for almost an hour. Half dalmatian, half cave bear, the creature was being tested as a guard animal. It was eventually caught and destroyed.

On 19 January 2143, DNA Wonders was criticised by Perry Epp – the Reality Party Presidential candidate – for its collector's edition of fifty extinct and endangered animals. Epp believed the creatures belonged on a reality preserve, where they could be properly cared for and enjoyed by all.