How Low Can Science Glow?

As if it weren’t enough for scientists to subject animals to every conceivable scientific experiment—from cosmetic and drug testing to cloning and genetic engineering—they are now going hog wild to produce pigs that, of all things, glow in the dark. That's right, folks: awhile back, researchers in Taiwan bred three piglets by taking fluorescent green protein from jellyfish and injecting them into pig embryos. The result: pigs whose skin and internal organs light brighter than a child’s nightlight.

Researchers declare that they have a scientific basis for the experiments. The pigs will reportedly be used in stem cell research as well as aid in the study of several human diseases.

“This is a cloning experiment and it’s important so that we can learn more about disease metabolism,” states Fox News Medical Contributor, Dr. Manny Alvarez.

In 1990, I found out first-hand about the marvels of modern medicine when an x-ray revealed that my gallbladder was impacted with about a hundred tiny gallstones (yes, it was very painful). A new procedure called “laparoscopic cholecystectomy” was just being introduced to the medical community and I was the first person in Santa Barbara to undergo surgery to remove my gallbladder using the new equipment. After the operation, I was surprised to learn that my surgeon first honed his surgical skills on a pig. Unfortunately for pigs, their gallbladder anatomy closely resembles that of humans, making them perfect test subjects.

OK, I get the whole good-for-mankind argument. I have even benefited from this cutting-edge technology. But has anyone stopped to consider the welfare of the pigs? Of course we can’t ask them, but I wonder how they feel about bearing an eerie resemblance to the Incredible Hulk. Do the other piggies shun them because they’re lit up brighter than Rudolph’s nose? I suspect they aren’t particularly excited about being referred to as green eggs and green ham either.

Animal rights activists claim that experiments such as the one taking place in Taiwan cause a needless and abusive manipulation of an animal, while scientists who work with fluorescent proteins dismiss the project as interesting, albeit innocuous.

“There’s nothing dangerous about it, as far as we know,” says Woodland Hastings, a biologist at Harvard University and co-discoverer of the jellyfish’s glowing gene and its function. “But the project is rather frivolous. There are many more important things you can do with these genes.”

Speaking of the frivolity of it all....variations of the jellyfish’s glowing genes have long been used in nonscientific applications. Several years ago, a company called Prolume began to market squirt guns loaded with reproduced versions of jellyfish DNA. The liquid squirts like water but lights up when it comes in contact with a person or any substance containing calcium. Currently, other researchers are working on developing glow-in-the-dark hair mousse, ink, cake frosting, and even beer and champagne.

Do we really need to sacrifice animals in the name of science (and shampoo, for that matter)? Every year, scientists use millions of animals in expensive and inhumane animal tests; many of which eventually prove detrimental to human health (think Vioxx and Fen Phen). Today, there are a plethora of alternatives to testing on animals such as computer models, databases of tests already done (to avoid duplication), and even human clinical trial tests, to name a few. Call me crazy, but I’d rather think of animals behaving as nature intended:  rolling in the grass (or mud) instead of huddling in sterile laboratories awaiting the next poke of the needle.

Let’s hope that one day scientists will see the light and cease using animals in painful and pointless experiments. Yeah right, when pigs fly.

 

Karen, who has a glowing future as an animal advocate, welcomes your comments about animal testing. Send a message to her at karenleestevens@cox.net.

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By Karen Lee Stevens,
Founder & President, ALL FOR ANIMALS, Inc.
Copyright © 2008. All Rights Reserved.

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