01-11-2013, 02:17 AM
(This post was last modified: 01-11-2013, 02:31 AM by Administrator.)
Bizarre examples of genetic engineering
Abuse and manipulation of science is old as science is. Genetic engineering is relatively new and rapidly growing discipline. Idea of changing the basic code of life is still taboo for lot of people and from the moment it appeared, public opinion is strictly divided to hard core fans and hard core opponents of genetic engineering that consider it unethical and believe that it should be banned. I don’t think that genetic engineering is more harmful than pesticides used to protect the crops, or drugs used to heal us from various diseases. Sure, some genetic experiments have horrible consequences, but malpractice is not strictly related only to the field of genetics. If the purpose and the goal of the experiment are clear and could benefit the society - I don’t see any reason why that should be prevented or hated. What worries me the most is fact that some genetic experiments are meaningless and lot of innocent animals end up victimized when scientist decide to entertain the public. Here are some examples of bizarre genetic experiments:
Fluorescent cats
Fluorescence is not invented by man. It is characteristic for some animals, usually marine, that use fluorescence to attract the prey, scare the predator or find a better mating partner…Scientists recognized potential of the fluorescent proteins and began applying them as a markers of genetic expression. That was just the start of experiments with fluorescent proteins. In 2007 South Korean scientists created fluorescent cat by adding red fluorescent protein to her DNA. First, they took skin cell from a Turkish Angora cat and inserted new gene via virus. Altered genetic material was later inserted in the cat’s ovum and implanted in her uterus so she could give birth to a first fluorescent feline. Cat that glows in the dark - substitute for night lamp or what?
Super speedy mouse
Mice are one of the mostly used model organisms in genetic experiments because they breed fast and their maintenance is simple and relatively cheap. Alteration in the single gene, PEPCK-C, resulted in super speedy animals that are 10 times more active than regular mice. They can run 5 hours without rest. These animals mate more often during prolonged reproductive period (3 years). Also, they demand much more food but don't gain weight. Finally, these animals are highly aggressive without clear reason. Scientists believe that super speedy mouse can be excellent model organism for patients that are suffering from various muscular disorders and pharmaceutical companies plan to synthesize new compounds to enhance muscle endurance using newly obtained experimental data. I am hoping that super speedy mouse will not find a way to escape the laboratory and start a marathon in our own apartments.
Spider goat
What you get when you mix spider and a goat? Spider goat! Spider is famous for its well knitted and firm webs, but that silk is not strong enough for man's needs. That is why scientists decided to insert spider's dragline silk gene into goat’s DNA. Newly created animals will produce milk enriched in silk protein that could be milked out. Silk milk could be further used for production of various web-like materials called Biosteel. Final products made of biosteel will be artificial ligaments or parachute cords. Sounds simple…
Less flatulent cow
Cows produce methane while digesting food. High production of methane has negative consequences to the environment because methane contributes greatly to the greenhouse effect. Its production is associated with recently identified bacteria. After causal agent is discovered, group of genetically engineered cows that produce 25% less methane is created. Future results will show if reduction of bacterium have serious consequences on the animal health.
Enviropig
Enviropig is another example of artificially created eco-friendly animal. Pig's manure is used as fertilizer. Since it contains a lot of phosphorus, algal bloom is common side effect when fields are located near the coast. This event have serious negative implications to the aquatic ecosystem because oxygen level in the water drops down drastically and result in high mortality rate. Algal bloom could be prevented if amount of phosphorus in the manure is reduced, so scientists decided to alter genetic material of a pig by inserting E. coli and mouse derived genes. Result is a pig that releases 70% less phosphorus to its environment. That pig is also known as “Frankenswine”.
I believe that serious and praiseworthy genetic experiments can dominate in the future if mistakes and failures from the past remain there.
Abuse and manipulation of science is old as science is. Genetic engineering is relatively new and rapidly growing discipline. Idea of changing the basic code of life is still taboo for lot of people and from the moment it appeared, public opinion is strictly divided to hard core fans and hard core opponents of genetic engineering that consider it unethical and believe that it should be banned. I don’t think that genetic engineering is more harmful than pesticides used to protect the crops, or drugs used to heal us from various diseases. Sure, some genetic experiments have horrible consequences, but malpractice is not strictly related only to the field of genetics. If the purpose and the goal of the experiment are clear and could benefit the society - I don’t see any reason why that should be prevented or hated. What worries me the most is fact that some genetic experiments are meaningless and lot of innocent animals end up victimized when scientist decide to entertain the public. Here are some examples of bizarre genetic experiments:
Fluorescent cats
Fluorescence is not invented by man. It is characteristic for some animals, usually marine, that use fluorescence to attract the prey, scare the predator or find a better mating partner…Scientists recognized potential of the fluorescent proteins and began applying them as a markers of genetic expression. That was just the start of experiments with fluorescent proteins. In 2007 South Korean scientists created fluorescent cat by adding red fluorescent protein to her DNA. First, they took skin cell from a Turkish Angora cat and inserted new gene via virus. Altered genetic material was later inserted in the cat’s ovum and implanted in her uterus so she could give birth to a first fluorescent feline. Cat that glows in the dark - substitute for night lamp or what?
Super speedy mouse
Mice are one of the mostly used model organisms in genetic experiments because they breed fast and their maintenance is simple and relatively cheap. Alteration in the single gene, PEPCK-C, resulted in super speedy animals that are 10 times more active than regular mice. They can run 5 hours without rest. These animals mate more often during prolonged reproductive period (3 years). Also, they demand much more food but don't gain weight. Finally, these animals are highly aggressive without clear reason. Scientists believe that super speedy mouse can be excellent model organism for patients that are suffering from various muscular disorders and pharmaceutical companies plan to synthesize new compounds to enhance muscle endurance using newly obtained experimental data. I am hoping that super speedy mouse will not find a way to escape the laboratory and start a marathon in our own apartments.
Spider goat
What you get when you mix spider and a goat? Spider goat! Spider is famous for its well knitted and firm webs, but that silk is not strong enough for man's needs. That is why scientists decided to insert spider's dragline silk gene into goat’s DNA. Newly created animals will produce milk enriched in silk protein that could be milked out. Silk milk could be further used for production of various web-like materials called Biosteel. Final products made of biosteel will be artificial ligaments or parachute cords. Sounds simple…
Less flatulent cow
Cows produce methane while digesting food. High production of methane has negative consequences to the environment because methane contributes greatly to the greenhouse effect. Its production is associated with recently identified bacteria. After causal agent is discovered, group of genetically engineered cows that produce 25% less methane is created. Future results will show if reduction of bacterium have serious consequences on the animal health.
Enviropig
Enviropig is another example of artificially created eco-friendly animal. Pig's manure is used as fertilizer. Since it contains a lot of phosphorus, algal bloom is common side effect when fields are located near the coast. This event have serious negative implications to the aquatic ecosystem because oxygen level in the water drops down drastically and result in high mortality rate. Algal bloom could be prevented if amount of phosphorus in the manure is reduced, so scientists decided to alter genetic material of a pig by inserting E. coli and mouse derived genes. Result is a pig that releases 70% less phosphorus to its environment. That pig is also known as “Frankenswine”.
I believe that serious and praiseworthy genetic experiments can dominate in the future if mistakes and failures from the past remain there.
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