The New York Times reports today, but Boing-Boing got there a few days ago–a recent art exhibit at the MoMA had to be… euthanized. A coat made of “living leather”, a growing garment of mouse stem cells, was growing too fast and had to be put down. Yeah, it’s worth following the links and reading.

My mom complained I grew too fast–
Or else, my clothes were shrinking.
I couldn’t make my clothing last,
Until I did some thinking.
I couldn’t make a coat to fit
With any fancy sewing,
And so I got a science kit
And started something growing–
A leather coat (size extra small)
From stem cells of a mouse,
With stylish collar, sleeves and all,
To wear around the house.
At first, it seemed a simple task
(They all do at the start)
I’d use the erlenmeyer flask
In which I grew my heart.
But all too soon, a snag arose:
My coat grew much too fast!
No more would I outgrow my clothes–
It’s me that would not last!
My coat grew larger all the while,
I really don’t know why;
So out of safety, not for style,
The garment had to die.
I pulled the plug, then stood and watched,
Expecting it to give.
But some procedure I had botched
Allowed it still to live!
The flask I’d used, I now surmise
(I did not, at the start)
Contained some cells–surprise, surprise!
My coat had grown a heart!

So now, I’m hiding from my coat
Behind a stockroom shelf;
If you should chance to find this note,
Just run! Go! Save yourself!

Image from Boing-Boing.