This Craigslist Ad Is Either ‘Fantastic Four’ Viral Marketing Or Fantastic Weirdness

On Wednesday, someone posted an ad on Craigslist for a genetic engineer with experience in gene splicing, among other things. The standout information is the apparent framing of the original poster by a “Doctor who is Doomed:”

Craigslist Ad For A Genetic Engineer

I am a billionaire who needs help creating a mouth wash.solution.gum with CRISPR-Cas9 containing viruses that will change specific genetic loci in my cheek epithelial cells to prevent a positive match against DNA found at the scene of a crime (my DNA was planted by a Doctor who is Doomed).

Skills Required

*CRISPR-Cas9 engineering of mammalian epithelial cells

*Experience in DNA forensics

*Experience with Robotics

*Between 5’9” and 6’0” in height and medium build in case I need you to wear a custom built “suit”

*Must code in Python, Haha, joking, we will write everything in C and Assembly

Ph.D. preferred.

Non-Drinkers preferred (I am a recovering alcoholic)

EMT Certified preferred. Please send CV.

So, a rich alcoholic programmer with a “custom suit” and an interest in robotics needs to fake a DNA swab? It certainly sounds like Tony Stark. I mean, there could very possibly be billionaires in the Bay Area who immediately need to avoid being framed for murder and would resort to a Craigslist ad for a DNA-altering mouthwash, sure. I’ve spent many hours trying to name an app before. It can really alter your grasp on reality.

I’m scratching my head trying to figure out how this could be viral marketing for the upcoming Fantastic Four movie, but it sort of sounds like a stab at creative advertising.

If you’re not familiar with genetic experimentation, CRISPR-Cas9, the software to screw around with RNA, is apparently available for $65, but don’t panic because there was also a sternly worded warning from the inventors to not experiment with the human genome. So, if you’ve got the experience listed above, you can probably set out to create a gene-altering breath mint on your own. Thanks, anonymous billionaire, for the ideas!

It’s “competitive” pay, though, so you probably won’t be doing this “for the exposure” if you respond to the ad.

(Via Gizmodo)

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