Glow-in-the-Dark Mice

It sounds more like a child's toy, but glow-in-the-dark bunnies are now a living, breathing reality.

In 2002, scientists discovered a new technique to create transgenic animals, meaning an animal with genes from other organisms. This discovery allows the production of specific traits, therefore creating animals with the potential to affect progress concerning human health, agriculture, and more depending on the chosen trait. 

To test the experiment, the researchers specifically chose the “green fluorescence” gene to implement. All of the mice that were infected were, in fact, born with the jellyfish gene within their own genes. Furthermore, these mice were able to pass down this gene to their offspring. The jellyfish gene illuminates all of the major tissues and organs, which give off a green glow once placed under a fluorescent light. Researchers hope to use this technique to study diseases and possible treatments and cures by infecting and then testing other mammals with certain diseases, such as AIDS or Alzheimer’s.

Although making mice glow seems relatively harmless, the principle behind genetically engineering mice in this way raises questions about what future engineering will look like. Will the future hold pet stores with pets genetically engineered to glow? Making mice glow is certainly extraordinary, but using the same process with other genes may not have as harmless results.