Re: [Killietalk] Glowing fish to be first genetically changed pet

["Gary Smith" <rivulus at cogeco_ca>]

This month's TFH issue has an article on them as well as a picture on the
front cover.
Also, the latest issue of FAMA has an article by Jean Huber on a new specie
of a SAA., Moema Quiii. In my opinion, this is the most beautifully coloured
of all South American Annuals.

Best regaards,
Gary


----- Original Message -----
From: "Andy Langione" <DMB91 at msn_com>
To: "killifish discussion list" <killietalk at aka_org>
Sent: Sunday, November 23, 2003 10:07 AM
Subject: Re: [Killietalk] Glowing fish to be first genetically changed pet


www.glofish.com is their website.
  ----- Original Message -----
  From: AL Anderson
  To: Killifish Discussion List
  Sent: Sunday, November 23, 2003 8:32 AM
  Subject: [Killietalk] Glowing fish to be first genetically changed pet


  Glowing fish to be first genetically changed pet
  Fri November 21, 2003 04:59 PM ET

  WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A little tropical fish that glows fluorescent red
will be the first genetically engineered pet, a Texas-based company has
said.
  The zebra fish were originally developed to detect environmental toxins,
but Alan Blake and colleagues at Yorktown Technologies, L.P. licensed them
to sell as pets.

  "These fish were bred to help fight environmental pollution," Blake said
in a telephone interview on Friday. "They were bred to fluoresce in the
presence of toxins."

  Scientists have for decades used a gene called green fluorescent protein,
taken from jellyfish, to help in research. The fish, sold under the
trademarked name GloFish, carry a similar gene taken from a sea coral that
makes it glow all the time.

  Blake said there is no evidence the fish will pose any threat to the
environment. Normal zebra fish are commonly used in aquariums and cannot
survive in non-tropical waters.

  "They are very bright under any type of light," Blake said. "Under
ultraviolet light in a dark room they will appear to be glowing in the
dark."

  Blake, who before he set up the new business ran an Internet company, says
he did not have a particular interest in fish before. "I had an aquarium
when I was about 10," he said.

  The fish, developed at the National University of Singapore by researcher
Zhiyuan Gong, are also available as pets in Taiwan, the company said. They
will sell for about $5 apiece at pet stores in January.


  Al Anderson
  killiman at iquest_net

  To join the AKA see http://www.aka.org/pages/join.html

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