Transgenic Fish: Is this a good idea?

Discussion in 'The Bucket' started by Matt Rogers, Mar 17, 2010.

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  1. Matt Rogers

    Matt Rogers Kingfish

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    A professor of fisheries and aquaculture from the University of Rhode Island and a team of graduate students have developed transgenic fish - trout in particular - that have 'enhanced' muscle mass. They "spent 500 hours injecting 20,000 rainbow trout eggs with various DNA types designed to inhibit myostatin. Of the eggs that hatched, 300 carried the gene that led to increased muscle growth. After two years, most exhibited a “six-pack ab” effect, even though fish lack standard abdominal muscles. They also have increased musculature throughout, including a prominent dorsal hump that made them look like they had muscular shoulders."


    (Warning - this video is a bit disturbing)

    In the video the professor, Terry Bradley, is excited about what this increased muscle mass would do for the aquaculture business - with the volume of fish in the aquaculture business, this 20% increase in mass would have a dramatic affect on yield. He also says these fish exhibit normal behavior.

    Source:
    News - University of Rhode Island
     
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  3. malac0da13

    malac0da13 Torch Coral

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    That is crazy. I think that one fish has bigger "shoulders" then me lol.
     
  4. DanKistner

    DanKistner Coral Banded Shrimp

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    That is pretty nasty to me. Another post that reminds me of the "Deep Blue Sea" effect. Mess with nature, you could have problems.
     
  5. ingtar_shinowa

    ingtar_shinowa Giant Squid

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    i dont like it. Remember the 70s when science made a 'better' honey be?
     
  6. reefmonkey

    reefmonkey Giant Squid

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    Watch out you flyfisher people..looks like it may become an extreme sport considering the fish may slap you around a bit and just steal your six pack if you're lucky!;D

    No seriously that's not right. We need to just stick to the design imo.
     
  7. brew0688

    brew0688 Fire Shrimp

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    nom nom nom nom.....

    mmmmmmmmm..... cancer.....

    nom nom nom nom nom
     
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  9. Gresham

    Gresham Great Blue Whale

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    It's no different then the GloFish and still a bad idea.
     
  10. SkyFire

    SkyFire Clown Trigger

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    Imagine if that beast was let go in a stream.....not cool.
     
  11. jhawkor

    jhawkor Millepora

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    Very interesting. I would prefer they just let natural selection run it's course.
     
  12. reefmonkey

    reefmonkey Giant Squid

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    I know! I keep coming back to this thread just to look at that fish..:-/
    I grew up with the Laramie River running right behind our house and caught alot of 'bows and none of them ever looked as sickly as that fish. The cancer comment above is a good one.
     
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