Transgenic animals are those that have had a protein-coding gene added that provides a function that the animal does not have. This practice is highly questionable for many reasons.
This practice does not respect animal rights, it is manipulated in such a way that “artificial” creatures are created and some of these animals can end up on our plates unnoticed, and we still do not know what consequences this can have. What happens to our bodies when we consume GMOs (genetically modified organisms) or transgenic products?
This article is only informative because we understand that the existence of these genetically modified animals (and many others), whether we like it or not, is a reality and we have a responsibility to inform about it, even if we are completely against these practices Animals.
GMOs are used in various areas, such as agriculture, medicine and research. GMOs are used in agriculture to improve animal performance, increase their resistance to disease and reduce their impact on the environment. In medicine, GMOs are used to produce medicines and vaccines and to research diseases. GMOs are used in research to better understand biological processes and develop new technologies.
A short list of transgenic animals
Cows
Cows are known to produce a lot of methane, the second most important greenhouse gas. Digestion creates bacteria that cause excessive gas production. Scientists have created cattle that produce 25% less methane than traditional cows.
There are also genetically modified cows to increase meat production: These are animals with little hair and very pronounced muscle development.
Salmon
There is a species of salmon that can grow twice as fast, despite having the same smell, color, texture and taste as regular salmon.
This is achieved by adding Chinook growth hormone and pollock growth hormone activator to Atlantic salmon. Canada approved it years ago because it was “suitable for human consumption.”
Mosquitoes
Some species of mosquitoes are thought to fight malaria, a disease that kills a million people each year.
The problem is that mosquitoes are also part of the ecosystem and when they disappear, it affects other animals that eat them.
For this reason, mosquitoes are designed to fight Plasmodium, the parasite that causes the disease, and pass this trait on to their offspring. And also others who die as soon as they are close to sexual maturity.
Transparent fish and frogs
The reason for creating these fish and amphibians, whose skin is completely transparent, is that vivisections will no longer be necessary to learn how their organs function, since these will be clearly visible through the epidermis. Unfortunately, this would not stop them from continuing to be laboratory animals.
Golden seahorse
This is the first genetically modified animal to be bred in Vietnam. This is a seahorse that has been injected with genes from a mixture of jellyfish protein and gold dust. They are sold as pets and are popular in Southeast Asia.
Chickens without feathers
The idea is that chickens that don't have feathers are easier to handle, cheaper and less harmful to the environment. The problem is that the complete lack of hair is a disadvantage when it comes to protecting the animal from parasites or adverse weather conditions.
bright cats
Glow-in-the-dark cats were developed as a way to combat feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV). This mainly affects wild cats, although it is a real problem in domestic cats.
American and Japanese scientists have genetically modified cats to help them resist FIV. To make it easier to “tag” the cells, they also introduced a green fluorescent protein that allowed them to track the evolution of the resistance gene by examining it under a microscope. Cats behave normally during the day, but sometimes they glow at night.
Potential challenges of GMOs
- Food Safety: There are concerns about the food safety of GMOs because it is not known with certainty whether they are safe for humans or animals.
- Environmental Impact: There are concerns about the environmental impact of GMOs as they could leach into the environment and harm wildlife species.
- Social acceptance: There is public opposition to GMOs in some countries, which could make their commercialization difficult.
GMOs are an emerging technology with great potential, but they also present several challenges that must be overcome before they can be used safely and responsibly.
With information from: