12/9/2003: GloFish, first genetically engineered pet

Undertoad · 12-09-2003, 11:19 AM

IotD is a little late to this as news, but I hadn't seen a photo of them until now... this is the GloFish, which was announced to be the world's first genetically engineered pet. Its color is the engineered part; it's fluorescent in day and glows at night.

The company says it's safe if eaten, won't live to procreate in the wild if it ever escaped. It was made by taking an "ordinary" zebra fish and inserting genes from jellyfish or sea anemone.

Ghost · 12-09-2003, 11:29 AM

I thought Sea Monkeys were the first genetically engineered pets.

FileNotFound · 12-09-2003, 11:39 AM

If only I could get them in blue...

I have a "blue" theme around my house. My PC light is blue, my carpets are blue my walls are blue and I'd say that at least 70% of the things my gf wears are some shade of blue.

Blue glowing fish would be cool...

MAdMoNKEY · 12-09-2003, 12:06 PM

If I get enough of these I can get rid of all my lamps.<br><br>

SteveDallas · 12-09-2003, 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Undertoad

The company says it's safe if eaten, won't live to procreate in the wild if it ever escaped. It was made by taking an "ordinary" zebra fish and inserting genes from jellyfish or sea anemone.

I had not been aware that there was a big market for eating zebra fish.

But then, I don't like any kind of seafood!

juju · 12-09-2003, 12:31 PM

Nature has a very informative article on this. Check it out here.

Many scientists don't seem happy about the fact that there's little to no regulatory process involved in selling genetically altered pets. Some nonsense about "unpredictable effects on the environment".

jinx · 12-09-2003, 12:33 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by SteveDallas

But then, I don't like any kind of seafood!

Blasphemer!!

jinx · 12-09-2003, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by juju
Nature has a very informative article on this. Check it out here.

Many scientists don't seem happy about the fact that there's little to no regulatory process involved in selling genetically altered pets. Some nonsense about "unpredictable effects on the environment".

Geeze, will people ever just get over that whole african killer bee fiasco??? Friggin' troglodytes...

Beestie · 12-09-2003, 12:37 PM

juju wrote:

Quote:

...Some nonsense about "unpredictable effects on the environment".

Nonsense?

Happy Monkey · 12-09-2003, 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by SteveDallas

I had not been aware that there was a big market for eating zebra fish.

Fish and zebra. Two great tastes that go great together!
Actually, I don't eat seafood either. Or zebra.

wolf · 12-09-2003, 01:19 PM

Do you have to hold them up to the lamp for 20 seconds to make them glow?

(these might be perfect pets for slang.)

hermex · 12-09-2003, 02:52 PM

Boo. The fish does not actually glow

From glofish.com

Quote:

Do fluorescent fish glow?

Fluorescent fish absorb light and then re-emit it. This creates the perception that they are glowing, particularly when shining an ultraviolet light on the fish in a dark room.

Yawn. Aren't there already flourescent fish? Those little skinny ones that are almost transparent with a flourescent looking stripe?

Dagney · 12-09-2003, 02:57 PM

Those (IIRC) are stained glass fish. The color is not naturally occurring, but results from the fish being injected with a flourescent (and toxic) dye.

Dagney

juju · 12-09-2003, 03:08 PM

Wow.. that's pretty immoral. I guess they are just fish, though. And it wouldn't be any more wrong than, say, locking them up inside a small glass cage. :)

dar512 · 12-09-2003, 03:26 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by hermex
Aren't there already flourescent fish? Those little skinny ones that are almost transparent with a flourescent looking stripe?

Maybe you're thinking of neons

12-09-2003, 11:19 AM	#1
Undertoad Radical Centrist Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Cottage of Prussia Posts: 31,423	12/9/2003: GloFish, first genetically engineered pet IotD is a little late to this as news, but I hadn't seen a photo of them until now... this is the GloFish, which was announced to be the world's first genetically engineered pet. Its color is the engineered part; it's fluorescent in day and glows at night. The company says it's safe if eaten, won't live to procreate in the wild if it ever escaped. It was made by taking an "ordinary" zebra fish and inserting genes from jellyfish or sea anemone.

12-09-2003, 11:29 AM	#2
Ghost Recruit or Something Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Alabama Posts: 4	I thought Sea Monkeys were the first genetically engineered pets. __________________ You look like you've seen a...

12-09-2003, 11:39 AM	#3
FileNotFound Intouch with his inner sheep rider. Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 603	If only I could get them in blue... I have a "blue" theme around my house. My PC light is blue, my carpets are blue my walls are blue and I'd say that at least 70% of the things my gf wears are some shade of blue. Blue glowing fish would be cool... __________________ This is a rat. \|This is a hamster.\| This is a chipmunk.\| This is a Sheep Rider.

12-09-2003, 12:06 PM	#4
MAdMoNKEY Smooth Ruffian Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Right behind you! Posts: 47	Energy Star Compliant If I get enough of these I can get rid of all my lamps.<br><br> __________________ "Oooh oooh aaahh aaahh! slap!" - MAdMoNKEY

12-09-2003, 01:19 PM	#11
wolf lobber of scimitars Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Phila Burbs Posts: 20,774	Do you have to hold them up to the lamp for 20 seconds to make them glow? (these might be perfect pets for slang.) __________________ wolf eht htiw og "Conspiracies are the norm, not the exception." --G. Edward Griffin The Creature from Jekyll Island High Priestess of the Church of the Whale Penis

12-09-2003, 12:31 PM	#6
juju no one of consequence Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Arkansas Posts: 2,839	Nature has a very informative article on this. Check it out here. Many scientists don't seem happy about the fact that there's little to no regulatory process involved in selling genetically altered pets. Some nonsense about "unpredictable effects on the environment".

12-09-2003, 02:57 PM	#13
Dagney The Prodigal Brat Returneth Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: North Cackalacky Posts: 1,107	Those (IIRC) are stained glass fish. The color is not naturally occurring, but results from the fish being injected with a flourescent (and toxic) dye. Dagney __________________ The Constitution gives every American the right to make a total fool out of himself. But that doesn't mean you need to.

12-09-2003, 03:08 PM	#14
juju no one of consequence Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Arkansas Posts: 2,839	Wow.. that's pretty immoral. I guess they are just fish, though. And it wouldn't be any more wrong than, say, locking them up inside a small glass cage. :)

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