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Dolly the Sheep was the first cloned mammal.
©AP Photo
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With the announcement this week of an "enviropig" whose poop may still smell, but wouldn't pollute as much, we're reminded of the compelling, controversial and perhaps comedic examples of the wonders of genetic engineering. This week's Planet 100 special counts down the top five "franken animals."
WATCH VIDEO: Top 5: Franken (as in "stein") Animals
5. The "Enviropig"
Canada gave the go-ahead to develop the Enviropig, a beast designed to produce cleaner poop containing 65 percent less phosphorous.
The genetically-modified Enviropig would help prevent oceanic "dead zones," caused by excess phosphorous in animal waste. Although the Enviropig is years away from our tables, fear of this Franken food is already widespread.
Via: MNN
4. Dolly the Sheep
At number 4, dubbed "the world's most famous sheep" Dolly was the first mammal to be successfully cloned from an adult (sheep) cell -- a mammary cell to be precise.
Born in 1996 at Roslin Institute near Edinburgh Scotland and named after the buxom country singer, Dolly opened the floodgates for the cloning of other large mammals including horses, bulls and dogs.
Via: Science Daily
3. The "Pain-free" Mouse
What if you could engineer animals to feel no pain? The implications for scientific research and meat industries would be immense. Pain-free mice have been engineered by scientists at Washington University by preventing the gene for a peptide associated with the anterior cingulate gyrus, a part of the brain associated with processing stimuli. This opens the possibility of pain-free slaughterhouses in the future, which those involved say is better than doing nothing.
Via: TreeHugger
2. Giant Salmon
We've all heard of the giant squid but how about the giant salmon? Enter the AquAdvantage Salmon designed to grow twice as fast as regular salmon.
The brainchild of a Massachusetts company, its claimed advanced-hybrid salmon would be good news for inland fish farming and as the fish are sterile, there's no need to worry about them escaping to the wild.
Via: TreeHugger
1. Glowing Transgenic Monkey
Our number 1 spot goes to first genetically-modified primates who birthed a transgenic marmoset baby complete with glowing green genes.
Japanese scientists engineered the marmosets to express a green fluorescent protein in their skin, proving that transgenic modifications can be passed down through offspring. Transgenic animals are an invaluable resource for studying incurable human disorders and preserving endangered species.
Via: Wired
What do you think about genetically modified animals? Leave your comments on Planet Green's YouTube page.
Read more about animals:
7 Mutant Animals Created by (Mad) Science: Amazing or Disturbing?
Planet 100: Top 5 Superhero Animals
The Sixth Extinction is Underway: Are You Worried Yet?
An Ocean of Plastic...In Birds' Guts (Slideshow)
93% of Ayurveda's Wild Medicinal Plants Threatened With Extinction
Credits:
baby pig ©Digital Vision/Thinkstock
Dolly the sheep ©AP Photo
Dolly Parton ©AP Photo
Grazing sheep ©Photos.com/Thinkstock
Lab mouse ©iStockphoto.com
Lab mice ©iStockphoto.com
Salmon ©Doug Plummer/Getty Images
Salmon stream ©iStockphoto/Thinkstock
Glowing marmoset ©AP Photo
Marmoset ©iStockphoto/Thinkstock
Glowing dog ©AP Photo
Glowing cats ©AP Photo
