Japan's Unique Cow/Whale Hybrid Experiments

RemyBR writes "Controversial scientific research happens all the time, but a review conducted by scientists in Japan uncovered a list of 'bizarre' trials - including one program designed to crossbreed cows with whales.'Scientists have analyzed 43 research papers produced by Japan over 18 years, finding most were useless or esoteric. The scientific research included injecting minke whale sperm into cows eggs, and attempts to produce test-tube whale babies.'"

Comments

Love It or Hate It?

[eldavojohn]

I really am torn on these experiments, I mean I could seriously question the motive and nature:

Of all the animals you had to pick from you went with cows and whales? Cows and wales? What's next? Sloths and sea sponges? You had the chance to go Island of Doctor Moreau and you tried to recreate a manatee (hello? already exists!) instead of ... oh I don't know ... hybridizing wolverines and great white sharks?

On the other hand, I could also defend it with other logic, just as solid:

I don't see anything wrong with it. It was all a matter of time before this happened naturally anyways. Interspecies mating happens all the time between donkeys and horses resulting in a mule or hinny. Occasionally squash and pumpkin plants cross fertilize. It's common. Really, it was only a matter of time before a heard of cattle near the ocean resulted in a particularly rowdy bull wandering into the Ross Sea or Pacific Ocean to jump the bones of a minke whale thus creating a hybrid. Who knows, maybe these would be as useful as mules are? I'm sure the poor of third world countries could use another pack animal--now for oceanic voyages!

Re:Love It or Hate It?

[MrNaz]

*Mumbles something about welcoming new cowhale overlords*
*Gets modded to the depths of hell*
*Swears*

Re:Love It or Hate It?

[TobyRush]

It was all a matter of time before this happened naturally anyways.

No kidding! In fact, when I read the headline my first thought is that these guys were experimenting with ways to put a stop to the rampant cow/whale breeding that has been taking place in cities like mine. It's really transformed my neighborhood in such a way that I'm no longer comfortable letting my kids play out front, at least not unsupervised.

Re:Love It or Hate It?

[The End Of Days]

Dolphins aren't fish, they just taste the same.

Re:Love It or Hate It?

[VorpalRodent]

Unfortunately, early attempts to mate lasers with sharks have proven unsuccessful. All the sharks either died or were rendered infertile as a result of the acts.

Attempts to directly fertilize a shark egg with a laser resulted in the immediate destruction of the ovum.

Perhaps someday science will answer this question, but for today, we must still dream.

Isn't this how Cloverfield started?

[xmuskrat]

It looked like a cow whale to me.

Pff.

[FlyingSquidStudios]

God, schmod. I want my whalecow.

Half bear Half pig

[Grokmoo]

I am ok with them pursuing this line of research, as long as they don't try something truly dangerous, like a half bear, half pig. Or worse, a half man, half bear, half pig. Now that would be trouble.

Re:This sounds like a twisted subplot to an anime.

[Surt]

Seriously. YUCK! What gets IN to these people?

I'm thinking it's the whale sperm.