Scientists create fluorescent pigs

DaveJB · Post by **DaveJB** » 2006-01-12 07:51am

Scientists in Taiwan say they have bred three pigs that glow in the dark.

They claim that while other researchers have bred partly fluorescent pigs, theirs are the only pigs in the world which are green through and through. The pigs are transgenic, created by adding genetic material from jellyfish into a normal pig embryo.

The researchers hope the pigs will boost the island's stem cell research, as well as helping with the study of human disease. The researchers, from National Taiwan University's Department of Animal Science and Technology, say that although the pigs glow, they are otherwise no different from any others.

Taiwan is not claiming a world first. Others have bred partially fluorescent pigs before. But the researchers insist the three pigs they have produced are better. They are the only ones that are green from the inside out. Even their heart and internal organs are green, they say.

To create them, DNA from jellyfish was added to around 265 pig embryos which were implanted in eight different pigs. Four of the pigs became pregnant and three male piglets were born three months ago.

In daylight the researchers say the pigs' eyes, teeth and trotters look green. Their skin has a greenish tinge. In the dark, shine a blue light on them and they glow torch-light bright.

The scientists will use the transgenic pigs to study human disease. Because the pig's genetic material is green, it is easy to spot. So if, for instance, some of its stem cells are injected into another animal, scientists can track how they develop without the need for a biopsy or invasive test.

But creating them has not been easy. Many of the altered embryos failed to develop. The researchers say they hope the new, green pigs will mate with ordinary female pigs to create a new generation - much greater numbers of transgenic pigs for use in research.

Well, at least they're not being bred for food. Somehow green, glow-in-the-dark bacon doesn't seem that appetising.

His Divine Shadow · Post by **His Divine Shadow** » 2006-01-12 08:36am

Note the important part:

Taiwan breeds green-glowing pigs
By Chris Hogg
BBC News, Hong Kong

Metatwaddle · Post by **Metatwaddle** » 2006-01-12 09:41am

DaveJB wrote:Well, at least they're not being bred for food. Somehow green, glow-in-the-dark bacon doesn't seem that appetising.

I do not like green eggs and ham! I do not like them, Sam I Am!

Dooey Jo · Post by **Dooey Jo** » 2006-01-12 09:45am

Excellent! Now they only have to mate these pigs with those pigs they crossed with salad a few years back to produce green salad-pigs

(It was a gene from spinach they implanted in those pigs.)

salm · Post by **salm** » 2006-01-12 11:33am

One or two years ago i read something about green flouroscent hares.

Jason von Evil · Post by **Jason von Evil** » 2006-01-12 02:53pm

I love the look on that pig's face.

Lord of the Abyss · Post by **Lord of the Abyss** » 2006-01-12 04:35pm

salm wrote:One or two years ago i read something about green flouroscent hares.

Alba, the glowing rabbit. Here's a mention.

Darth Servo · Post by **Darth Servo** » 2006-01-12 07:24pm

Good old GFP. Its a wonderful research tool and you just can't keep from having fun with it too. I still remember when I first heard about the glow-in-the-dark mice almost a decade ago.

Civil War Man · Post by **Civil War Man** » 2006-01-12 09:25pm

I for one welcome our new day-glo porcine overlords.

defanatic · Post by **defanatic** » 2006-01-13 05:34am

This research will clearly be useful in creating a new generation of stop-go men. Or other people that need to be seen in the dark.

Admiral Valdemar · Post by **Admiral Valdemar** » 2006-01-13 07:02am

On a more serious note, transgenic crops are always useful when you add bioluminescent properties. It means in remote areas you can produce a clearly viewable runway for aircraft in fields that have little to no power for ordinary lights.

Col. Crackpot · Post by **Col. Crackpot** » 2006-01-13 08:09am

what the fuck is the purpose of glow inth dark pigs?

Rye · Post by **Rye** » 2006-01-13 10:02am

Col. Crackpot wrote:what the fuck is the purpose of glow inth dark pigs?

Slaughterhouses can work in the dark to help combat global warming and energy inefficiency.

I recall hearing a while ago that you can relate glowing genes to other genes you want to mess with, like if you have a gene that turns a certain type of growth factor on, say connected to cancer, it will turn the glowing gene on, too. That way, you can measure what environmental dangers cause x type of cancer, or whatever. Plus, as the article says:

The scientists will use the transgenic pigs to study human disease. Because the pig's genetic material is green, it is easy to spot. So if, for instance, some of its stem cells are injected into another animal, scientists can track how they develop without the need for a biopsy or invasive test.

Admiral Valdemar · Post by **Admiral Valdemar** » 2006-01-13 11:01am

The effect can also be used to act as a marker, so when you want to keep track of certain tissues or micro-organisms, you can add the substrate that is required for luminescence (if memory serves, it's called, of all things, luciferase) and the cells will show up bright as day,

FTeik · Post by **FTeik** » 2006-01-13 11:34am

Save energy. Get rid of your lightbulbs. Adopt a glowing pig.

LapsedPacifist · Post by **LapsedPacifist** » 2006-01-13 12:28pm

Col. Crackpot wrote:what the fuck is the purpose of glow inth dark pigs?

Last time those fuckers ever sneak up on me I tell you.

LP

Darth Servo · Post by **Darth Servo** » 2006-01-13 03:45pm

Col. Crackpot wrote:what the fuck is the purpose of glow inth dark pigs?

To show that they can do it.

aerius · Post by **aerius** » 2006-01-13 06:48pm

Well, I think we're one step closer to making the mythical flying pig.

Admiral Valdemar · Post by **Admiral Valdemar** » 2006-01-13 06:52pm

When we find the gene for rocketpacks, we'll have it all set.

Pezzoni · Post by **Pezzoni** » 2006-01-16 05:20pm

Cue many arguments about the wrongness of genetic engineering:

'It's wrong!'
'Why?'
'It's playing god / you're messing with nature'
'And what objective harm does that cause?'
'The pigs will know we're laughing at them!'
'Pigs have a sense of self esteem?'
'Looks what has happened with scientific advancement causing global warming!'
'What the fuck?'
'You're playing god!'

True argument

Eleas · Post by **Eleas** » 2006-01-16 05:30pm

Admiral Valdemar wrote:When we find the gene for rocketpacks, we'll have it all set.

That depends on whether we want to prove the age-old argument right or wrong. One camp would see the pigs grow wings, while presumably the other would prefer to send them right up the stratosphere with a contrail from its arse.

Silver Jedi · Post by **Silver Jedi** » 2006-01-17 05:09pm

Discombobulated wrote:I do not like green eggs and ham! I do not like them, Sam I Am!

Wouldn't it be green ham and eggs? Or are they doing this to chickens too? We could have entire monochromatic meals!

StarDestroyer.Net BBS

Scientists create fluorescent pigs

Scientists create fluorescent pigs

Re: Scientists create fluorescent pigs

Re: Scientists create fluorescent pigs