Posted on 02/02/2023 8:09:25 AM PST by BenLurkin
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.
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.
(Excerpt) Read more at the-sun.com ...
It’s already now. Who funded for this study!
“Life finds away.”
How about, let’s not do this?
I suspect all those beasts, such as the locusts, referenced in Revelations will have been created by man from their experiments with DNA in animals.
Can they attach lasers to their heads while they’re at it?
Now we know what the Covid vaccines are conditioning us toward. Eventually you will be Gene edited based on what serves the state best. Your cell phone (transponder) is the communication portal.
Alligator Gar is great target practice.
Although not as large, the more common (actually dominant in some slough lakes near me) longnose gar are even nastier to try to handle, as they have razor sharp teeth, some of which actually protrude outward. So, catch one and you get this commonly 4’ or more fish thrashing about, and if not careful, one can get a nice gash on exposed skin, even tho’ the fish is not trying to bite you.
Anyway, the hybrid (in a sense) already exists...
"Life finds a way."
Sport fishing will probably wind up being way more fun!
Better not in Florida!
Protected species!....................
“The fish are also sterile and can’t reproduce unless they are injected with reproductive hormones, MIT Technology reported.”
Pesky detail.
Guppies would be great target practice.
I feed those to the Cichlids. Besides, it gets expensive replacing the aquariums after they explode.
It is.
I can’t wait until they make flying sharks.
The risk is that it gives the edited catfish a survival advantage over wild-type catfish which could result in extinction pressures on the unedited fish. This would not be a problem if the species could interbreed and spread the advantage across all subspecies.
The problem with the story is that they emphasized the “aligator DNA” to drum up excitement and create sci-fi buzz. If they had just published the actual gene sequence and called it “kitten DNA” or “cuddly puppy DNA” nobody would click on their post.
Genesis...as in the days of Noah.
“Life, uh, finds a way…”
Dr Ian Malcolm
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.