That may cease to be an altogether metaphorical (and goofy) interview question. An enterprising group of artists are positing a means of instilling human DNA into (non-expressed) tree genes, leading to something that would carry a “part” of someone on for years as a memorial.
An interesting thought, though should said tree then die, be cut down, get hit by lightning, be struck by some horrible disease, have initials careved into it, etc., I suspect some folks might be still more traumatized. Which ties into this particular quote:
Biopresence, however, thinks its project can have a significant effect on how people mourn the loss of a loved one. And scientists like Steven Beckendorf, a genetics professor at the University of California at Berkeley, can see the potential. “It is a sort of metaphorical representation (of a deceased loved one), but that’s OK,” said Beckendorf. “I doubt anyone paying for the service will expect a homunculus to reside within the tree.”
I would be willing to wage a large sum of money to the contrary of that doubt.
(via Design Observer)