They could have called it illuminase or lightase or something else light related and avoided the blatantly obvious reference if they wanted to. Couldn't they? Then why didn't they? That's the important question.
Scientists like to get cute with naming. There's a species of colorful fly named after RuPaul. It doesn't mean the fly wears a sequinsed dress and high heels. It's just a name.
Naive.
They could have called it illuminase or lightase or something else light related and avoided the blatantly obvious reference if they wanted to. Couldn't they? Then why didn't they? That's the important question.
Symbolism will be their downfall.
And for what it's worth, the term Luciferase was coined over 150 years ago.
Illuminase as in Illuminati? Might as well just call it Deepstatase. It's just a name.
Scientists like to get cute with naming. There's a species of colorful fly named after RuPaul. It doesn't mean the fly wears a sequinsed dress and high heels. It's just a name.