September 13, 2011
The Glow-In-The-Dark Kitty
A glowing kitty may help in the fight against AIDS (credit: Mayo Clinic)
Cat owners might find a glow-in-the-dark kitty to be fairly useful—you’ll never trip over the cat at night again—but the Mayo Clinic scientists who created this glowing cat had a bigger goal in mind: fighting AIDS.
The substance that makes the cat glow is a version of the green fluorescent protein that lights up the crystal jelly, a type of jellyfish that lives off the West Coast of the United States. Years ago scientists realized that the gene for GFP is a perfect marker when they insert another new gene into an organism. By inserting a version of GFP along with their gene of choice, they could easily see if they were successful because the organism would glow. Since the technique was first developed, researchers have made many glowing animals, including pigs, mice, dogs, even fish you can buy in the pet store.
In this latest bit of research, published in Nature Methods, the Mayo Clinic scientists inserted a version of the GFP gene along with a gene from the rhesus macaque that blocks the feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV)—the virus that causes feline AIDS—into the unfertilized eggs of a cat. After those eggs were fertilized, they produced kitties that glowed green, showing that they also had the anti-FIV gene. Even better, subsequent generations of cats also glowed and had the anti-FIV gene.
The researchers still have more work to do to determine whether the anti-FIV gene works in the cats. “We haven’t shown cats that are AIDS-proof,” study co-author Eric Poeschla told LiveScience. “We still have to do infection studies involving whole cats. That the protection gene is expressed in the cat lymphoid organs, where AIDS virus spread and cell death mostly play out, is encouraging to us, however.”
The ultimate goal of this line of research, though, is to figure out how to make humans resistant to HIV, the virus that causes human AIDS. “We want to see if we can protect the domestic cat against its AIDS virus, if we can protect any species, eventually including ours, against its own AIDS virus,” Poeschla told LiveScience.
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Here’s one of many examples of s study making cats glow where the cats were “sacrificed”, jessica http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/jgm.302/full
I’m not sure where you got your information about lab animals all going to homes. If you look at the literature 99.9999% of them are killed or live out their lives being subjected to more tests in cages. Let’s not fool ourselves into thinking animals get anything out of this. Scientists do and that’s it.
I must agree with Corvus on every point. Moreover, I will add that cats have an unusual anatomy that does not resemble human anatomy in the least, so why use them as test subjects. No one ever asked if I wanted to be a test subject for HIV because I would most likely agree. Do not threaten a person with using their children as subjects…that makes you stupid. Animals are more intelligent than humans are, in that; they do what they must do to survive. They do not hurt people, animals, or things without good reason, as humans do. They live and let live, unlike people, who believe that those who die with the most toys wins. Everyone should simply watch the movie about “Life After People”. People will destroy the planet; animals will simply live on it.
Hey, that’s a great point Corvus. In fact, let’s use published horror stories as our main basis for deciding what does and doesn’t work. So that’d be religion, food, science, politics, animals, water, sex, humans. Well damn. Looks like we’re screwed.
My mother used to do all the driving and a good amount of caring for animals that were experimented on. She would move animals back and forth. Some would be sick and would be put down, which is true. But none were tortured and the experiments they underwent were always filled with red tape. Whether they’re conducting them for what you allude to, or whether they’re just giving us better guesses about effects of different experiments, we can’t lump all scientists in one group. That’s like blaming you personally for the third reich.
Some scientists are mean people, which isn’t to say that they’re bad in the big scheme of things. Some scientists are really nice and experiment on people who’re willing to die for the cause. But long story short, don’t assume all scientific work is as horrendous as the experiences you’ve read about or experienced.
Spaceghost, the published scientific article I link to above (which took me literally one google search and one link click to find) is one of millions about animal research in which completely legal cruel methods are used to test on animals. So let’s not act like I looked for that one rare article.
I’m not saying all scientists are “mean people”. I am saying they have their own interest at heart. I have debated animal researchers who know less about their own field than I do, because as long as they keep getting money, there’s no reason for them to think about ethics of their work more than the irb requires.
And pray tell, how did those animals your mother drove around get sick? I am pretty sure it didn’t magically happen in the “care” of scientists, right? No, they made them sick.
Ok guy’s here’s the deal we all love our pet’s. But how many of you actually rescue unwanted pets? how many of you have a pet with a chip in it? Did Fido want it? How many of you use flea and tick meds those were tested on animals you know. to be frank if you are really for animal rights then remove the collars and let the animals be wild likre they where suposed to because they don’t need us. we have pets because humans want them not because the animal said he let me live with you and you can feed me. this is so silly to debate this.
oh and corvus any idiot knows that you find bad news easier then good. cause an article saying “animal testing claims more victims” gets more hits then one that says “animal finds good home”
Hi B. check out scholar.google.com
There you will find peer reviewed scientific articles published about the studies people are doing. And for your information, I searched “feline FIV HIV ultraviolet” or “feline FIV HIV glowing” when I found that article (not story, article).
Did anyone actually read it? It sure doesn’t seem so since everyone’s talking about it as if it’s a newspaper article or a children’s book.
To answer your other questions, I rescue animals, do not eat animals, do not wear animals or use animal tested products. Some of my animal buddies are on medications owned by cruel pharmaceutical companies who did do research that harmed animals. Unfortunately, given current industry lobbying and governmental laws, no other medication is available on the market. Though, i do use holistic treatments on myself and them when feasible.
Saying people using needed medications that are tested on animals as a reason they cannot oppose that animal testing is ridiculous. It is not the ill person’s fault that the science industry and government chooses to spend the majority of science funding on cruel, inhumane, ineffective, and unnecessary animal tests. If anything, people taking these medications have more of a say than anyone in opposing animal testing because more accurate and ethical testing procedures help everyone, humans included, not just the nonhuman animals.
“Even though this could have benefits for humans and animals. I think animal testing is VERY wrong. These cats didnt choose to be subject to testing. Considering that there is really no way for humans to communicate with animals, we have to be their voice. Imagine if we did this to a bunch of human children, im sure it would never be allowed though, because thats just how wrong it is. Yes, FIV and AIDS need to be prevented. But, if you spay/neuter your pet and make sure you dont breed any FIV positive cats you shouldnt have to worry too much. Millions of animals are on the streets and yes they spread diseases. In an ideal world there would be no homeless animals, but that is not the case. I support the cause but not the act. The things that scientists do to animals just for human advantage is cruel and unfair. Im sorry if you disagree, but this is my opinion.”
Are you kidding me? It is more unethical to make a cat glow (yeah, like the cat cares that it’s glowing) then to cut it’s testicles off?
A problem with making cats glow, is that it becomes impossible for them to hunt.
Oh but the AIDs resistance is kinda nice.
They are obviously using the cats for medical testing. Injecting them with the feline HIV. How else would they know if they are resistant or not?
Since you guys are obviously arguing over the exact same thing, (Animal Testing)you have all gotten lost and forgotten the big picture. The cure or immunization of HIV?AIDS. Yes of course there is the conflict of animal testing and the death of these animals. Listen to this: If any of you puttin these portestant comments had AIDS, I GUARANTEE you would be rooting for the cure father then giving a hoot about the cat.Sure cat testing or rather any kind of animal testing is wrong but would you rather your brother or sister be taken for experimetation instead. Your mother. Father. Then what in God’s name are you complaining about. It is a cure for HIV/AIDS. It has been proven to work over and over again. In fish and pigs. And there are plenty of fish in the world though many of certain species are on the verge of extinction. So instead of arguing and protesting about animal testing stop and put yourself in someone else’s shoes. (someone who has AIDS)Im not saying that you shouldnt cate about that cats just think of the 30 million people that die a year from this disease, including my little sister. And any other disease because GFP isnt the only thing it cures.
Wow. people fundamentally misunderstand how GFP works. that’s new….not. also, Don’t talk about our lack of ability to communicate with animals on a cognitive level. from a purely cytoarchitectural standpoint, cats (and most other animals, though there are some interesting exceptions, corvids for example) don’t have the necessary brain structures for anything approaching the level of organization that human speech and body language have. Simple fact: fundamentally good people are using animals to do fundamentally good things. Because humans value their own lives over those of their animal compatriots (and rightly so, from an evolutionary standpoint, in that the preservation of the species comes before the preservation of other species) animals will take the brunt of the more experimental treatments. Also, making the cats fluoresce is important. it shows that the gene that they are attempting to insert, for protection against FIV, is functioning properly and is fully expressed. this is more of a confirmation of a certain gene’s efficacy in fighting off the virus, rather that a “Dr. Moreau” experiment. Also, that nonsense about humans also getting used in tests? Of Course! this is all for the benefit of humans, so of course they get tested. it has to work for the species it was intended for. However, I highly doubt that Vladimir Demikhov had many human participants when he was pioneering transplant techniques in the Soviet Union. Yet without it, many many more people would not be alive today. Without animal testing, it would not exist. Chalk it up to evolution; We are using animals to preserve ourselves.
also, before you condemn me for disliking animals, I had three cats two of which died of FIV, so please don’t slander me.
I understand that a lot of people don’t agree with animal testing, and that is fine. If you think it should stop or are protesting it, don’t use insulin, don’t use a pacemaker, have open heart surgery, any type of organ transplant, use penicillin, or get tetanus or rabies shots. As well as many MANY other medical advancements. I support freedom of speech, just please practice what you preach. :)
@Corvus: Labs have all the security, no windows, etc. to keep the drooling anti-science freaks from destroying the work that goes on inside.
Since you’re so opposed to animal testing, you’ll be glad to not use any products derived from same, right? It’s like the peta freaks griping about using furs from animals for coats, and wearing leather shoes, or belts, or purses.
To those who do not like animal testing – I love cats. They my favorite animal. God gave them to us to enjoy but not to have dominion over us, but have dominion over them with respect and care.
I agree on the comments that animal do not feel the way we do intellectually, but yes they do feel pain, but the pain of not being in society, especially if they are well taken care of. All they want to is to be fed, be loved, be stimulated by their environment. If the science lab is doing all those things, then they are doing great.
We have a couple cats that were born in the big ferret cage in the garage and made a cage for them to do outside. (Can’t have them in the house because of allergies – this to satisfy my daughter who wanted cats BADLY). They fear coming out of their cages. They loved being petted and cooed at. So when the cats are brought up in that loving control environment, they don’t feel the pain like we do unless it is abusive.
A lot of people on here seem to be like “If it takes a few animal lives to save humans than I’m with it!”. I really hope everyone on here realizes that we are all animals. There isn’t anything that puts our lives above theirs.
There is enough of us on this planet currently and all these disease and such are a way to make sure that the weak don’t survive and that we pass on good genes. Maybe these diseases aren’t meant to be cured.
Also, to people out there you can’t choose to be a test subject because to alter DNA in this fashion you have to start before something is even born. You have to most likely clone something so it has this gene. I couldn’t just go and volunteer to do this. I would if I could but I can’t so I wont.
I want people to stop complaining that this “hurts” the animals and open their eyes. Any sort of genetic-whatnot done to these animals was done BEFORE any sort of fertilization took place.
To quote the above article:
“…inserted a version of the GFP gene along with a gene from the rhesus macaque that blocks the feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV)—the virus that causes feline AIDS—into the unfertilized eggs of a cat.” -
Its not like Science suddenly “made” a cat that glows in the dark, they’re born that way and they grow to live with it. No differently than someone born blind learns to live happily and healthy. The fact that these cats glows means that Science is on the right path to eliminating one of the most deadly illnesses known to man.
Genetic studies and genome mapping are the way of the future, perhaps even the ONLY way. In order for our society to survive longer that the estimated 300+ years we have (due to climate change i.e. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KS3av5x4_k4 ) we need to start furthering our knowledge in a variety of fields, from Genetics, to Alternative and Truly-Renewable Energy, to Nano-technology. Only to name the big contenders.
Science has had hurdles upon hurdles to pass due to nay-sayers, interest groups, and old world technologies and methods. I’m not saying I condone animal testing, but I will stand firmly behind genetic research because as a society, as a SPECIES, it is necessary. Society and Mankind cannot, and will not continue to stay in it’s present state, we are doomed to fail if changes don’t start happening now. How long until America is remembered in the same way as other failed “Empires” are? As an amazingly powerful and successful society, brought down by the failure to progress for the greater good, and by the ignorant choices of a few, played off as a “voice of the masses.”
This, my friends, is extremely cool.
I love the idea of glowing cats just think how much funnier animals do the funniest things will be with glowing cats
Well, normally I’d be totally on board with a glow in the dark cat. What’s not to love? Plus it would spook the hell out if the dog, but does this cat have jellyfish and monkey genes now? Is it Frankencat? Is it gonna go all Jurassic Park on us?
…Is its name Monsanto?
Wake up! Animals are cruel (ever see a cat playing with something it has caught). Animals in the wild are killed and eaten by other animals or they die of disease every day. All life involves suffering. And all you evolutionists say it’s been going on for hundreds of millions of years. Why is hurting an animal to help humans wrong? Hurting things to survive is the way of the world. Where did you all get your sense of right and wrong and moral indignation from?
I dusted off my old Science News magazines but my attempt to locate the issue that published the same discovery/research results on the glowing cat proved futile. As I recall, the article went into this topic deeper and seemed to value human life more than feline life which I do condone. A cat owner, I am partial but I do remain loyal to my own species. I think Chris may be on to something and we shouldn’t discount the direct affect glowing cats may have on nervous burglars who may have a double-take after asking for someone to pass the flashlight. Great comments!
Guys, the more important question is, if this can fight AIDS and to be used on humans, will we glow in the dark too?
Humans may indeed be evolving but who knows in what direction that will take? Perhaps we will evolve into the most humane creature of this planet. Perhaps the most vicious animal ever created by evolution. I would guess that whatever happens it will be due to evolution and not anything else. I personally see mankind as one of the most successful predator species yet produced by evolution and that our evolutionary purpose is that of species eliminator. We are faster than most other methods of extinction. Human global warming is another facet of our evolution. Perhaps we are meant to pollute this planet until it is so polluted that the survivors will be forced to leave this planet and travel into space. If man can survive the pollution perhaps space travel to other planets will be easier.
I love it! We’ll be the little green glow in the dark men exploring space!
Karma is a bitch…just be aware dear science freeeks….
-as you get yer past life review upon passing from this life,
you will see thru the eyes of all the people and animals you’ve harmed or helped out.
According to Dannion Brinkley, (a near death survivor, and author).
And also you shall experince all the pain physically, and terror psychologically -or joys -you created for these souls.
That’s what is considered the final judgement by “god” . Nothing better to learn from than direct experience. You will judge you. I hope you pass.
“Only kindness matters.” -that’s a Quote from a Jewel song.
I am not sure if anyone has brought this up yet, but what will glowing fur do to a cat’s night vision if its whole face is glowing? I’d imagine it would be hard to see in the dark if the border of your field of view is lit up. But I am no expert.
Anyone know more about this?