Petrified About Cheetah-Gene Crabs? This Meme Jokes About Crazy Science

I’m petrified about today’s science news. Genetically modifying crabs to have cheetah genes? This could go sideways fast.

This is a screenshot of a Bluesky social media post by verified user Kieron Gillen. The post expresses mock panic about an absurd hypothetical science news story: genetically modifying crabs with cheetah genes. The core joke relies on a double meaning of the phrase 'go sideways fast'—crabs are known for moving sideways, and 'go sideways' is also an idiom meaning to go wrong or awry. The post satirizes common fears of reckless or unethical genetic engineering by using an over-the-top, ridiculous scenario to exaggerate those concerns.

The image is a direct screenshot from the Bluesky social media platform, identifiable by the platform's unique handle format (@kierongillen.bsky.social), UI elements like the 'Follow' button, and timestamp display. Kieron Gillen, a known writer in comics and games, posted this original humorous take on his official verified Bluesky account; there is no evidence of editing, remixing, or reposting from another source.