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The ongoing debate around genetically modified (GM) animals usually centers on those created for the purpose of food production. However, it often goes unnoticed that other animals are also subjected to genetic modification.
These cases are often even more controversial. Many argue that it is morally wrong to conduct genetic experiments on animals in this manner. For instance, animals could be harmed or even killed during these experiments, and there is a risk of causing lasting damage to the environment.
10. Japanese Researchers Have Engineered a Chicken That Produces Eggs with Cancer-Fighting Properties
Japanese researchers have engineered a genetically modified chicken that produces golden eggs. While the eggs aren’t literally golden, their worth is comparable to gold. They are rich in interferon beta, a protein known for its ability to combat cancer, hepatitis, and multiple sclerosis.
To produce these valuable eggs, scientists at the Biomedical Research Institute of the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology inserted interferon beta into the cells of developing cockerels. After these cells were reintroduced into embryos, the male chickens were bred with hens. This process was repeated across two generations, and the hens eventually began laying eggs full of interferon beta.
This protein is present in the egg whites, which appear noticeably cloudier than typical egg whites. Each egg is valued between $535,995 and $2.6 million.
9. Scientists Engineer GM Ants to Explore the Mystery of Ant Social Behavior
Genetically modifying individual ants is a challenging task. Their eggs are highly sensitive and must be cared for by worker ants to survive. Ironically, this very issue is why scientists want to modify ants—so they can better understand how ants manage such an advanced level of cooperation. The social structure of these insects has long intrigued researchers.
The researchers persisted with their experiments and finally uncovered the reason behind the ants' cooperation. Ants work together due to their sense of smell. Any ant that loses its ability to smell or has a mutated smell gland will not exhibit orderly, social, or cooperative behavior.
Biologists from The Rockefeller University selected the clonal raider ant (Ooceraea biroi) for their study. Unlike other ants, clonal raider ants don’t have queens. Instead, each ant lays an egg that is a clone of itself. This was an ideal choice for the researchers, as genetically modified ants would always produce genetically modified eggs.
The scientists modified a gene responsible for a nerve that helps the ants sense smells through their antennae. After 10,000 attempts, they succeeded in creating ants with a diminished sense of smell. These ants refused to follow the scent trails of others and wandered aimlessly instead.
8. Chinese Scientists Have Developed Super-Muscular Dogs
Chinese researchers have developed genetically modified beagles that are stronger, faster, and more muscular than typical beagles. These enhanced dogs are said to be excellent hunting companions and could also serve as police or military dogs.
The scientists created these muscular dogs by deactivating the myostatin gene, a mutation found naturally in some dogs like the whippet. In fact, the world's strongest and most muscular dog, Wendy, is a whippet. This gene has also been edited in other animals, such as mice, resulting in stronger, more muscular creatures known as 'mighty mice.'
The researchers clarify that their goal wasn't to create muscular dogs. Instead, they sought to test their ability to genetically modify animals in order to produce dogs with human diseases like Parkinson's disease and muscular dystrophy. They believe this could help us better understand the causes of these diseases in humans.
7. Scientists Are Engineering GM Mosquitoes to Eliminate Other Mosquitoes
Oxitec, a British-based company, has created genetically modified male mosquitoes that transfer deadly genes to females during reproduction. These genes will cause the larvae to die, thereby reducing mosquito populations and helping to control the spread of mosquito-borne diseases.
Currently, Oxitec is focusing on mosquitoes that transmit dengue fever. They have not chosen to target malaria-carrying mosquitoes because malaria is spread by multiple mosquito species. In comparison, dengue fever is only spread by one specific subspecies, making it simpler to address.
Oxitec first released its genetically modified mosquitoes in the Cayman Islands in 2009, before expanding to Malaysia and Brazil. In Brazil, the government has even set up breeding facilities to produce millions of these insects. However, environmentalists have raised concerns about the potential unintended consequences of releasing GM mosquitoes into the wild.
Oxitec eventually plans to introduce its mosquitoes to the United States. They initially sought to conduct a trial in the Florida Keys, but faced resistance from local residents. In fact, Key West passed an ordinance prohibiting the release of the mosquitoes until it is confirmed how they will impact the environment.
In the meantime, Oxitec has applied for a patent and submitted a request to the Food and Drug Administration, seeking approval to release their mosquitoes in the US.
6. Scientists Have Created A Glow-In-The-Dark Cat to Help Find a Cure for HIV
Having a pet cat that glows in the dark might seem like a fun idea, but the creation of these animals has a much more serious purpose: to help end AIDS in humans. Cats were chosen as test subjects because they suffer from feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), which is the feline counterpart to HIV in humans.
Both FIV and HIV behave in a similar manner. They cause the body to lose T cells, which are essential for fighting infections. Once these T cells are gone, both cats and humans become vulnerable to various opportunistic diseases. Like HIV, FIV can also progress to AIDS (FIV/AIDS) and ultimately lead to death if left untreated.
In earlier studies on HIV, scientists discovered a protein in rhesus monkeys that blocks both HIV and FIV. However, in order to introduce this protein into cats, they needed to employ a complex genetic modification technique that might not have worked. To confirm the success of the genetic modification, they added glow-in-the-dark genes from a jellyfish, as a glowing cat indicates the procedure was successful.
While the primary goal of the research is to combat HIV in humans, the benefits could also extend to cats, as these tests might eliminate FIV in the species. Every year, millions of cats die from AIDS.
5. Canadian Researchers Are Developing Bees That Can Withstand Winter and Resist Diseases
Bees play a vital role in Canada's economy by pollinating numerous native plants and crops. Additionally, they produce honey and beeswax. However, Canada is facing a shortage of bees due to severe winters and the spread of Varroa mites, which transmit diseases to the bees. It is estimated that one-quarter of the bee population in Canada dies each year.
This shortage has led Canadian farmers to import bees from the United States. However, there are concerns about the potential introduction of aggressive Africanized ‘killer’ bees into Canada. To address these issues, researchers at the University of British Columbia are working on developing GM bees that are disease-resistant and capable of surviving harsh winter conditions.
4. Scientists Are Creating Genetically Modified Monkeys To Enhance Understanding of Human Mental Disorders
Scientists are working on developing GM monkeys that have conditions such as autism and schizophrenia for research purposes. Marmosets and macaques are the chosen species because chimpanzees are larger and more challenging to study.
Additionally, chimpanzees used for research must be relocated to costly sanctuaries once the experiments are completed. In contrast, most other animals are euthanized once the testing phase ends.
Leading the GM monkey project is Guoping Feng, head of neuroscience at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He is employing a cutting-edge genetic modification technique called CRISPR to develop his monkeys.
Feng often travels to China to conduct his experiments, as it would be more expensive and attract greater attention from animal rights groups in the United States.
3. Chinese Researchers Created a Micro Pig As a Result of a Study
Researchers from the Beijing Genomics Institute caused a stir when they used gene-editing techniques to create micro pigs, which were intended for sale as pets. While micro pigs aren't new, these particular ones were genetically modified, unlike the traditional breed.
Initially, regular pigs were bred through inbreeding and kept underfed. Sellers often deceived customers by passing off piglets as adult pigs. As a result, the buyers ended up with much larger pigs that were eventually abandoned in shelters and euthanized.
The Chinese researchers didn’t initially aim to create small pigs for pets. Their goal was to use the pigs for experiments, especially stem cell research. However, they considered selling some of the pigs to fund their research. The institute planned to sell each micro pig for 10,000 yuan.
The plan to sell the genetically modified pigs has sparked two opposing views. Supporters believe genetic modification is a better alternative to the traditional inbreeding and malnutrition methods used to create regular micro pigs. Critics, however, worry that the genetic modification could cause pain to the pigs and have unforeseen consequences.
2. Vietnamese Scientists Have Created Golden Seahorses
At Vietnam National University’s College of Science, researchers successfully created the country's first genetically modified (GM) seahorse. This breakthrough was part of a project to test a gene-shooting method pioneered by team leader Phan Kim Ngoc, who had spent three years developing the technology after 20 failed attempts.
Although the team had experimented with other animals, they found seahorses to be the ideal candidate. To create the glowing seahorses, they extracted the GFP gene from jellyfish and combined it with gold. The scientists then injected the resulting mixture into seahorse eggs, producing 108 seahorses that shimmered like gold.
The researchers believe this gene-shooting method could be used to produce genetically modified animals for food production. Additionally, they think it could help replace harmful genes with beneficial ones in humans. The team has also begun modifying mouse cells to produce insulin for diabetes patients.
1. Scientists Created A Beetle With A Working Third Eye
Scientists at Indiana University have successfully engineered a beetle with three eyes, and the third eye is fully functional. This experiment builds on a previous gene study where researchers unexpectedly created a beetle with three eyes, with the extra eye positioned between the beetle's two original eyes.
The researchers initially deactivated one of the genes responsible for forming the beetle’s head. As a result, the beetle lost its horns and grew an additional eye. This outcome was surprising because complex body parts such as eyes, brains, wings, and shells typically emerge from the interaction of multiple genes.
In the follow-up study, the scientists deliberately sought to induce the loss of horns and the growth of a third eye in two species of scarab beetles. Following the genetic modification, the beetles either grew smaller horns or none at all, but all developed a third eye formed by the merging of two smaller eyes in the center of their foreheads.
This groundbreaking research is expected to provide deeper insights into how organs form and function within organisms. These techniques could also be applied to the development of artificial organs in laboratory settings in the future.
