"The Easter Dane" With Easter on the way, I thought you might enjoy a sneak preview of the latest breakthrough in genetic engineering. Are we talking about cloning? Nah, that's old news! This is much more exciting... Through careful breeding (along with some dirty tricks) scientists have developed the Easter Dane. Though it is much larger than your average bunny, the Easter Dane retains many rabbit-like characeristics. It loves to hop, just like a rabbit (this is not good in homes with low ceilings), and it likes carrots. In fact, the Easter Dane ingests an average of 20 pounds of carrots a day. Naturally this creates a potential problem for people with small backyards. Not to worry... the Easter Dane excretes pellets just like a rabbit. (None of that soft stuff anymore!) The buzz in the scientific community is that by this time next year, the Easter Dane will be available in limited numbers to qualified owners. The purchase price is expected to exceed $10,000. (Some of you might think that the Easter Dane bears a strong resemblance to Ruby Ricciardi's "LadyR". You are correct. Ruby allowed the scientists to utilize LadyR's DNA in exchange for first dibs on a 1998 Easter Dane.) (Netscape users! Can you find the EASTER EGG hidden on this page? Use your mouse to track it down!)

The editorial staff of the Webby Award-winning online magazine GIST
chose this page as a featured "Web Pick" for Easter Weekend, March 29-30, 1997.