DailyDirt: Genetically Modified To Fit Our Modern Lifestyles...

from the urls-we-dig-up dept

Tue, Dec 18th 2012 5:00pm — Michael Ho

Biotech hasn't quite advanced as far as some science fiction stories might depict, but a few amazing genetically-modified organisms look like they're just around the corner, with scientists making biofuels or reviving dinosaurs in the near future. While we should be careful messing with Mother Nature, here are just a few developments to watch out for.

A transgenic Christmas tree could be engineered to produce green fluorescent protein and glow in the dark (and during the day) without electricity. This idea is over a decade old, so these genetically engineered pine trees should be a reality any time now. [url]
Some genetic researchers have grown a fish with legs, creating tetrapods that look like the precursors to amphibians. A fish drumstick sounds like it'd be part of a pretty tasty entree. [url]
Stingray leather could be a fashionable way to make really expensive custom sneakers. Rayfish claims to be able to make stingray leather shoes with custom patterns, but this is probably all a hoax (for now). [url]

If you'd like to read more awesome and interesting stuff, check out this unrelated (but not entirely random!) Techdirt post.

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Filed Under: biotech, christmas tree, custom sneakers, fish, genetically modified, gmo, stingray, tetrapods

7 Comments

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Anonymous Coward, 18 Dec 2012 @ 5:13pm

where do fishsticks come from, mommy?
GMO food is inevitable. resistance is futile.
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- Anonymous Coward, 19 Dec 2012 @ 5:04am
  
  Re: where do fishsticks come from, mommy?
  History has shown mono-culture leads to failure. We are already seeing evidence of this in several products from the leading proponent of GMO seeds. It's sad that greed trumps knowledge in the end.
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Hephaestus (profile), 18 Dec 2012 @ 5:32pm

"A transgenic Christmas tree could be engineered to produce green fluorescent protein and glow in the dark (and during the day) without electricity."

Glofish anyone?

http://www.glofish.com/
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Anonymous Coward, 18 Dec 2012 @ 6:20pm

I don't know...
That thing doesn't really look all that appetizing.
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Anonymous Coward, 18 Dec 2012 @ 9:15pm

So once you manage to land the fish you have to have a tug-of-war with it as well :/
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Anonymous Coward, 19 Dec 2012 @ 6:17am

All these things are revolting. No wonder scientists are the most hated people on the planet after bankers and lawyers.
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- Anonymous Coward, 19 Dec 2012 @ 6:44pm
  
  Re:
  " No wonder scientists are the most hated people on the planet after bankers and lawyers."
  
  I doubt that. But I suppose your hatred of science might lead to belief in an unscientific poll, possibly sponsored by Fox News
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