It's science, Jim, but not as we know it.

Because I am generally a fan of all things scientific, few stories strike me as horrifiyingly unnatural. This one really does. Using one animal to grow sperm for another animal.

Here's how it works. Scientists genetically engineered rats to produce a green fluorsecent protein so their sperm and offspring would be easy to recognice. They then removed the sperm-producing stem-cells from the rats, and implanted them into the testicles of mice. The mice then produced fluorescent green rat sperm. This sperm was then injected into rat eggs and lo and behold, green rats. Fertile green rats no less, with nothing apparently wrong with them.

All that talk of testicles and sperm and implanting is somewhat unpleasant. The green rats themselves are a bit creepy, but also a bit cool. Somewhat like the green pigs we wrote about  before, but the whole overriding idea is rather scary.  Ok, so it might enable the sperm of endangered species to be grown in host testicles, or the sperm of livestock to be grown in host testicles to save space and food (must stop writing the words sperm and testicles - ugh). But. But. But. There could be viruses in the host animal that could write themselves into the new sperm (sorry). Any of you guys seen The Fly? And besides it just seems wrong. This is one development that shouldn't come anywhere near human beings ever. Ever.

Sorry, that whole post was a bit disgusting. Read about the nice gentle manatees again to make yourself feel better.

Via MSNBC. Picture borrowed from the scientist responsible, Takashi Shinohara.

Comments

[MT]

I disagree, but for how it's easy being green for them.

[donna]

Maybe it's a way we can eventually get rid of the men. Keep a few nice golden retrievers or the pet of our choice around instead or something. ;^)