quote:

Originally posted by Aspen Hill Adventures:


MUTANT FISH Scientists inject fish with alligator DNA to create mutant creatures that live longer

Jona Jaupi, Technology and Science Reporter

Published: 18:06 ET, Feb 1 2023Updated: 18:32 ET, Feb 1 2023

Millions of fish are harvested across the world each year, but nearly half are killed due to diseases.

However, studies have found that by inserting alligator genes into catfish, their survival chances increase by fivefold.

The gene, dubbed cathelicidin, contains properties that protect reptiles from infections when wounded.

Typically, farmers treat sick fish with antibiotics, but this contributes to the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

But now scientists at Auburn University in Alabama are fusing the DNA of the two species.

They detailed their findings on the preprint server bioRxiv. The paper has not yet been peer-reviewed.

Scientists used CRISPR to insert the alligator gene that codes for cathelicidin into catfish.

It found the survival rate of the genetically modified fish was resistant to a common infection.

The fish are also sterile and can’t reproduce unless they are injected with reproductive hormones, MIT Technology reported.

"On a per-pound basis, anywhere from 60 to 70 percent of US aquaculture is… catfish production," says Rex Dunham, who works on the genetic improvement of catfish at Auburn University in Alabama.

But catfish farming is a great breeding ground for infections, however, thanks to this new method we may see fewer catfish deaths.

What's more, farming fish that are resistant to disease will produce less waste, aquaculture researcher Greg Lutz from Louisiana State University told MIT.

However, Lutz also pointed out that the CRISPR catfish may not be the future of aquaculture.

"It’s just too difficult to produce enough of these fish to get a viable, genetically healthy line going," he said.

There are over 3,000 catfish species in the world, and they are mostly bred for human consumption.

Their name refers to the prominent barbels, which resemble a cat's whiskers.

quote:

Originally posted by ledvm:
At times Don, you could pass for a Texan.

quote:

Originally posted by DRG:

quote:

Originally posted by ledvm:
At times Don, you could pass for a Texan.

My family were cattle people from Bavaria. Growing up I spent summers in NJ on the farm. Mostly chickens (thousands) but enough cows and bulls to feed the family and make a living.

My Grandfather taught us early to let animals be animals. Good for them good for us.

He would not think most of what Americans eat today is food.

quote:

Originally posted by Aspen Hill Adventures:
As you all know, I am not a fan of injecting genetic material into anything.

quote:

Originally posted by ledvm:

quote:

Originally posted by DRG:

quote:

Originally posted by ledvm:
At times Don, you could pass for a Texan.

My family were cattle people from Bavaria. Growing up I spent summers in NJ on the farm. Mostly chickens (thousands) but enough cows and bulls to feed the family and make a living.

My Grandfather taught us early to let animals be animals. Good for them good for us.

He would not think most of what Americans eat today is food.

Outstanding!

quote:

Originally posted by Scott King:

quote:

Originally posted by Aspen Hill Adventures:
As you all know, I am not a fan of injecting genetic material into anything.

Was that a zinger?!?!?! I think that was a zinger!!!! I'm gonna take that as a zinger!!!!
Well played!

~Ann

quote:

Originally posted by DRG:

quote:

Originally posted by ledvm:
At times Don, you could pass for a Texan.

My family were cattle people from Bavaria. Growing up I spent summers in NJ on the farm. Mostly chickens (thousands) but enough cows and bulls to feed the family and make a living.

My Grandfather taught us early to let animals be animals. Good for them good for us.

He would not think most of what Americans eat today is food.

~Ann

quote:

Originally posted by Aspen Hill Adventures:

quote:

Originally posted by Scott King:

quote:

Originally posted by Aspen Hill Adventures:
As you all know, I am not a fan of injecting genetic material into anything.

Was that a zinger?!?!?! I think that was a zinger!!!! I'm gonna take that as a zinger!!!!
Well played!

I think everyone knows where I stand by now.

quote:

"It’s just too difficult to produce enough of these fish to get a viable, genetically healthy line going,"

quote:

Originally posted by DRG:

quote:

Originally posted by ledvm:
At times Don, you could pass for a Texan.

My family were cattle people from Bavaria. Growing up I spent summers in NJ on the farm. Mostly chickens (thousands) but enough cows and bulls to feed the family and make a living.

My Grandfather taught us early to let animals be animals. Good for them good for us.

He would not think most of what Americans eat today is food.

quote:

Originally posted by crbutler:
People have some pretty odd ideas…

While I agree that genetic manipulation can have some very severe consequences to the environment, the idea that this will harm people in and of itself is silly.

If a fish has DNA in it, a regular (unengineered) fish will cause just as much trouble as any engineered fish (or corn) as long as it is not poisonous. Your body breaks down the DNA along with the proteins etc and utilizes the building blocks to make your own proteins, DNA, whatnot.

Roundup ready corn’s DNA can’t harm you any more than any other corn- although, I suppose the enzyme the DNA codes for could be poisonous.

The issue would be that we are tinkering with the genetics of something that may have unintended consequences for our environment and the ecology.

Say you develop corn that is immune to insects, and now the biomass of insects is greatly reduced… what are the trickle down effects on everything from that?

If these fish are sterile, that would mean potentially (assuming they are a fish that is absolutely immune to disease) and they get loose, that you will have the natural fish outcompeted for the ecological niche, and less stock around to breed when the super fish finally die of old age. The reduction of smaller catfish has what effect on other species?

The argument against genetic engineering is that we don’t understand what we are doing, and it’s ramifications, not that it’s unhealthy to eat the stuff… again assuming it’s not poisonous (which is easily tested… roundup ready corn doesn’t kill pigs/cows/dogs/people directly.

~Ann