America has its first genetically engineered pet for sale, but not in California. The pet is a fish, called ‘GloFish,’ which is simply a zebra fish with some jellyfish or sea anemone genes that turns the black and silver fish either red or green. Under blacklighting, the fish appears to glow. California has a law banning genetically altered fish because of fears that teenage mutant ninja fish will cause havoc if released into nature. The manufacturer and California wildlife officials claim that the fish poses no threat even if it were accidentally eaten or released into the wild, and have recommended an exemption from the law. The FDA, the EPA, Fish and Wildlife Services, and the Department of Agriculture have all been contacted by environmental groups who fear an exemption, but all agencies have declined to take up the case.
I’m not a fish man… but I have always been a fan of using genetics to make big pets smaller. How cool would a 2 foot tall horse be?! Little girls could say “Daddy! Daddy! Get me a pony!” and he could be reply “Fine… but you have to keep it in your room.”
Thanks to The Raven.