Blogging About Critters Since 2007

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Now We Have Glow-in-the-Dark Monkeys!

Oh yay.
Viral DNA was used to introduce a gene for a green fluorescent protein into monkeys, creating a new line of "glow-in-the-dark" transgenic primates for drug research work. Researchers involved in the instantly controversial project say this is the first time that a monkey has been genetically engineered so that a new gene entered into its DNA and was passed down to its offspring.

...Now scientists say this new approach will be able to develop a line of primates that can be genetically orchestrated to more closely match humans. That would give drug makers a better animal model for preclinical studies as they try to determine a drug's chances of working in people.

Personally, I don't like messing with anyone's genes. The ethical questions are obvious. You can argue that anything is good for humanity in the short run, until it gets into the wrong hands in the long run.

Hey, why don't we just start planning for glow-in-the-dark children in the future? That way you can always find them in the dark!

(Oh, by the way, drug researchers love this. Of course! Possibly better research, more drugs, more sales!!!)

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