Glowing fish - Genetically Engineered Fish for Visual Pleasure

[cromagnon]

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Glowing fish - Genetically Engineered Fish for Visual Pleasure

What if you could have a pet fish made exactly how you wanted? A fish with five eyes or seven fins. Of course, this is not possible now outside of science fiction stories, but it could very well be happening soon. The path to widespread use of genetic engineering of has already been paved with the arrival of GloFish, a glowing fish that does not exist naturally but has been created through the science of genetic engineering to be available for the public’s visual pleasure. Although these bioengineered fish are completely harmless to people and the environment, they have caused uproar in the media because it is unknown when or where this widespread use of genetic manipulation will stop. GloFish are within acceptable bounds of genetic engineering and should be allowed everywhere, however there should be limits on how far genetic engineering can go.

GloFish are exactly the same as a regular zebra fish with the small exception that instead of being colored the usual black and white, they give off a bright red or green neon glow. This is accomplished through genetic manipulation. The fish’s genetic code is modified when the fish is still an egg and infused with a gene from sea coral, sea anemones or jellyfish. The result is that the fish absorbs light and re-emits it, creating the perception that they are glowing. All the other characteristics of the fish are the same as their parent species, the Zebra Danio, including everything from general care to life expectancy to environmental preference (“About GloFish…”). The gene does not have to be added to every fish; it is inherited from its parents. Unlike other glowing fish that have been seen in the past, GloFish will glow consistently bright for their entire life and the effect will not wear off (Mattson D1).

GloFish were not originally intended to be available to the public. For several years, scientists have been using these glowing fish that were created using genetic manipulation for the use of detecting water pollution. The fluorescent color is used to act as a control switch to activate different tissues on the fish. It is able to respond to the presence of chemicals such as heavy metals and toxins or oestrogen through the various gene promoters. Although currently only red and green have been produced in the fish, scientists claim it is possible to use utilize to five colors, which would allow for easier detection of a more variety of chemicals (“Zebra Fish as…”). It was only recently realized that the public had an interest in these glowing fish.

However, in early December, the California Fish and Game Commission stated that they would not allow the sale of GloFish in the state. California is the only state that does not allow genetically engineered species outside of a research institution. The commission would not exempt the GloFish from this law, despite the fact that they do not present any kind of danger to the environment or people if they were to escape. The final vote in the commission was three to one because most of the members feel it is more of an ethical problem. Commissioner Sam Schuchat commented:

“For me it’s a question of values, it’s not a question of science. I think selling genetically modified fish as pets is wrong.... I just don’t think its right to produce a new organism just to be a pet. To me, this seems like an abuse of the power we have over life, and I’m not prepared to go there today.” (qtd. In “California Blocks…”)

[Dax101106]

Nindot ni siya sa room bro dah then kani rah ang suga...hehehehe...

[ethzneuron]

trees, now fishes.. next would be glowing humans.. hehe

same na gyud ni sa avatar bah.

[fight4love]

ka nice ani ui....

[Saint_hard]

mana man ang Ice Age next is padulong natas Avatar Age ani....heheheheh

[takas bahay]

Wow...amazing!

kanus-a kaha ni moabot sa Magallanes St. sa?

[moz_k2]

naa nay aninipot sa dagat
hehehe

ka remember noun ko sa katong isa ka episode sa big bang theory
nag experiment si sheldon ug luminous fish

[javs]

Nice ni sa aquarium da......

[brandnewbien]

nindot kaau ni mag night swimming kuyog ani mga isda-a

[shade]

medyo dugay naman ni ^^