1/13/2006: Fluorescent pigs
 

http://cellar.org/2006/fluorescentpig.jpg

Not one, but TWO lurkers (thanks, gents!) sent this BBC story of Taiwanese scientists who have inserted DNA from jellyfish into pigs, creating...

http://cellar.org/2006/fluorescentpig2.jpg

Glow-in-the-dark pigs.

This is not the first time this has been done. In fact, it's not even the first set of fluorescent pigs featured on IotD. From the story:

Taiwan is not claiming a world first. Others have bred partially fluorescent pigs before; but the researchers insist the three pigs they have produced are better.

They are the only ones that are green from the inside out. Even their heart and internal organs are green, the researchers say.

And this is useful how, exactly? Partly for genetic research, I guess, but mostly because it makes you grin at a Friday IotD. Happy Friday.

How is this useful? UT, you surprise me! If some pigs were stampeding in the dark of night, heading straight for you, you'd know how useful this is! For shame.

Phew ... no blood! 'Twas all getting a bit much! One thing though...if theyre glowing intenally, how do the poor lil buggers ever get to sleep?

Hopefully, consumption of the bacon won't make you swell up. :worried:

looks like the one in the middle is laughing. maybe he just found out he's a glow in the dark pig.

They don't actually generate light, they glow when lit with UV light, like those psychidelic posters.

Laughed like a loon at this, thank you

Put a UV bulb in the fridge and go straight to the bacon for that midnight snack. Mmmm.....green meat.... :yum:

They all look happy. Like pigs in, well, chit.

Between this and the cyclopic kitten, i think we should find better nuclear waste dumps.

Well, we're half way to green eggs and ham now.

I saw some red fish the other day that are genetically altered to be fluorescent. Cool.

Now i wounder ( And I am sorry for this ) but if they are green thur and thru ,
is their poop green and glowy ??????

Soon we will see little green men too..

Could be the rave in the pig poaching 'industry'. If I were one of these pigs I would feel slightly vulnerable.

I've been expecting news of a genetic suntan hitting the market soon. This seems to have crossed the threshold well. Why not?

Great pic. Another cheerfully interesting Friday. Thank you!