What's in a name?

The bard said that anybody or anything does not change it's natural properties or inclinations just because we give it a new name. I am not sure that it is all as cut and dried as he thinks it to be. While a name/nickname initially may not make any difference to a person it does help to shape the way people think about him or her. And this can be put to great use/misuse by an intelligent person/group. The reason I write about this is the recent reports I read about two Iraqi women scientists held in US custody. The US media (maybe at the prompting of US government) referred to them constantly as "Dr. Germ" and "Chemical Sally", to compare her with the infamous Chemical Ali (another nickname). One wonders if the objective is to spread hatred and prejudice against them. They were after all doing research for their country. If they deserve to be nicknamed thus then so do all scientists doing such work for their countries. Maybe we should start calling Robert Oppenheimer "Radioactive Bob". After all he is the creator of the weapon which killed thousands of civilians, women and children in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Maybe the time has come for the US media to label A.Q.Khan as "Proliferator Khan". And I am sure there are many "Virus Toms", "Nuclear Dicks" and "Chemical Harrys" working in US or UK labs.
Such nicknaming of professionals is a serious setback to the cause of justice. It is also an attempt to trick the public and hence a serious issue in a democracy. I am just glad the bard is not alive to witness the insidious use, his beloved language is being put to.