Glowing Fish are First Genetically Engineered Pets

securitas writes "It was bound to happen. Texas-based biotechnology company Yorktown Technologies will start selling a 'genetically engineered aquarium fish that glows in the dark.' The trademarked GloFish -- 'a tropical zebra fish infused with the gene of a sea anemone that makes it glow fluorescent red' -- is first genetically engineered pet. The possible consequences of introducing a new trangenic species into the environment has touched off a debate that has critics such as the National Academies of Science and the Center for Food Safety calling for a ban on the sale of the fish unless the FDA regulates and approves it. The fish go on sale in January 2004. You can see photos of the GloFish here. Cool, but it's no Blinky." M : I think these guys are marketing the fish for a Taiwanese company.

Comments

Bummer

[Durin_Deathless]

From their FAQ:
What if a fluorescent zebra fish is eaten? Eating a fluorescent zebra fish is the same as eating any other zebra fish. Their fluorescence is derived from a naturally occurring gene and is completely safe for the environment. Just as eating a blue fish would not turn a predator blue, eating a fluorescent fish would not make a predator fluoresce.

Bummer, I was hoping to see fluorescent cats!

Re:Bummer

[Daniel Dvorkin]

We breed fluorescent mice at my work. Cute little critters, have no idea that they glow. But they probably do wonder why people are always picking them up and sticking them under funny-colored lights and making "ooh, aah" noises. ;)

A Real Challenge

[crass751]

Now if only someone could genetically engineer a fish that didn't die within a week.

I've had about 5 fish, only one of them lived longer than a week.

Re:A Real Challenge

[richy freeway]

Or genetically modify people to look after fish better. :P

Ultimate Case Mod

[herulach]

With a few of these and one of these you'd have a way cool case.

Who needs cold cathodes?

Re:Novelty Item

[Richard_L_James]

What purpose do a glowing fish have? 1) No need to install lights in fish tanks/ponds 2) Makes nightime fishing easier 3) You can actually see your food during the candle lit dinner with your girlfriend.... :-)

Not "glow-in-the-dark"

[Corgha]

I'm a little disappointed. These aren't bioluminescent-type glow-in-the-dark fish like the ones that live in the deep sea. They're fluorescent glow-in-the-UV fish like the ones that live in the rave.

I can assure the world

[Glowing Fish]

I can assure the world that I am Mostly Harmless.