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Taiwan Breeds Transgenic, Fluorescent Green Pigs

Posted by Zonk on from the because-your-day-wasn't-distopean-enough dept.

ScentCone writes "Transgenic pigs (and other critters) are valuable research tools because of their utility in studying human diseases. Tracking changes in some developing tissues is going to be easier, say a Taiwanese team that has introduced fluorescent, green proteins into the breeding. Said one of the researchers: 'There are partially fluorescent green pigs elsewhere, but ours are the only ones in the world that are green from inside out. Even their hearts and internal organs are green.' Do you like green eggs and ham?"

8 of 261 comments (clear)

  1. Pigs like that will be easier prey by Travoltus · · Score: 1, Informative

    I mean, where will they possibly hide?

    I hope that fluorescence doesn't last long.

    This has got to be the worst news I've read all day. This makes me think of that Jurassic Park quote... we keep asking ourselves whether we can do something, but not whether we should.

    --
    --- Grow a pair, liberals... stop letting the Republicans bully you!
    1. Re:Pigs like that will be easier prey by Enigma_Man · · Score: 2, Informative

      I hope that fluorescence doesn't last long.

      It lasts as long as they live. The green isn't just a dye or ink, it's the actual color of their skin! Their skin _is_ green, it's not dyed green.

      -Jesse

      --
      Nothing says "unprofessional job" like wrinkles in your duct tape.
    2. Re:Pigs like that will be easier prey by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Informative

      Unless predators can find their way into the research lab where they are being housed, and turn on a UV lamp and direct it at the pig, then no, it won't make them easier for predators to see.
       
      And there is a very good reason to generate these sorts of reagents - it's for easy marking and tracking of cell lineages for stem cell (and other types of) transplantation experiments.

    3. Re:Pigs like that will be easier prey by BrettJB · · Score: 3, Informative

      I think you're joking, but just to be on the safe side (there's got to be at least one A.C> out there who believes this!):

      As I understand it, they're fluorescent, not chemoluminescent. In other words, they require an external stimulus (e.g. a UV light) to generate the glowing effect. In a completely dark room, they glow no more than your average, garden-variety pig does.

      --
      Smell that? You smell that? Burning karma, son. Nothing in the world smells like that...
    4. Re:Pigs like that will be easier prey by blues_shuffle · · Score: 2, Informative

      Maybe you should've read the caption under the picture:
      When lit up in the dark, the pigs glow green

  2. Dystopian by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Informative

    because-your-day-wasn't-distopean-enough dept.

    It's "dystopian". If you're going to use big, fancy words, learn to spell.

  3. Re:I grew up on a farm and ... by jangobongo · · Score: 2, Informative
    This isn't intended for "the farm", nor for the butcher or human consumption. You must have missed these paragraphs:
    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.
    --

    Sig cancelled due to lack of interest
  4. Nope!! by Skadet · · Score: 2, Informative

    No. Unless you're referring to what the summary should have said in reference to the article. But then yI would point out that "Eggs and ham" is a unit, making "green eggs and ham" consist of both green eggs and green ham as shown on the cover illustration of the book.

    --
    Sony ha