def create_random(cls, length, **kwargs):
        """
        Return a new instance of this gene class with random DNA,
        with characters chosen from ``GENETIC_MATERIAL_OPTIONS``.
        
        length:  the number of characters in the randomized DNA
        **kwargs:  forwarded to the ``cls`` constructor
        """
        dna = ''.join([random.choice(cls.GENETIC_MATERIAL_OPTIONS) for _ in range(length)])
        return cls(dna, **kwargs)