07 Feb 07 Mutant Ninja Pigs

Scientists in Taiwan have bred the first fluorescent pigs–at least the first green through and through. The transgenetic pigs are possible thanks to the genetic material from jellyfish. These pigs are green from skin right to organs. Shine a blue light on them and they glow like, well, like a jellyfish. Who new?

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.

Scientists intend to use the green pigs to study human disease. Because the pig’s genetic material encodes a protein that shows up as green, it is easy to see.

So if, for instance, some of its stem cells are injected into another animal, scientists can track how they develop without the need for a biopsy or invasive test.

Tags: Research, Science