Working with the geneticists' favourite animal, the fruit fly Drosophila, Dr Gibson has pinpointed a series of so-called cryptic variations that have no effect on a protein's structure, but can nevertheless, if the circumstances are right, have a significant effect on the individual they belong to.

ECONOMIST: Genetics gets more complicated

The fruit fly, one of science's other favourite lab models, has already been subjected to extensive chemical mutagenesis, providing researchers with a wealth of useful genomic data.

BBC: Mice mutants probe human genome

But they will harm European producers who have nothing to do with fruit, as well as American consumers, whose favourite European imports will suddenly become impossibly expensive.

ECONOMIST: Going bananas

The Pumpkin Patch is a local favourite, with beautiful peach and nectarine orchards laden with juicy softball-sized fruit in late summer.

BBC: Portland's urban adventures