Stories tagged fluorescent pigs

Glowing green pigs: Just in time for St. Patrick's Day.
Courtesy johnmukA few years back scientists in Taiwan announced that they had genetically altered three cloned pigs so that they glowed fluorescent green. The feat was accomplished by injecting porcine embryos with fluorescent green protein from jellyfish.

Pigs are often used in studying human diseases.

In the Taiwanese experiment, the altered pigs’ internal organs glowed green throughout under ultraviolet light. On the outside they emitted a light green tint, particularly around their knuckles, eyes, and snout.

This week Chinese scientists announced that one of the altered pigs has successfully passed on its glow genes to some of its progeny. Two of 11 piglets born are displaying the same glowing traits their genetically engineered mother had been given in the lab. What this proves is that the sow remained fertile despite the engineering, and was able to pass on the altered gene.

The researchers hope the process will be useful in stem cell research and the monitoring of healing tissue during human transplants and other such procedures.

At last report, the mother pig was doing fine and glowing with pride.

Tags : genetics, health, genes, genetic engineering, glowing pigs, fluorescent pigs

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