DNA - Blueprint or recipe?

I would be inclined to say that calling it either a blueprint or a recipe would suffice - almost seems like splitting hairs at that point in the conversation. If the person you are talking to is interested in hearing more on the topic, the following explanations you use will clarify your original statement. If I were talking to a woman I would probably call it a recipe and if I were talking to a man, I would probably call it a blueprint. I dont think it would be held against you at a later point in the conversation if you chose either though.