10 Fascinating Examples of Genetically Modified Animals

Rest assured that 10 Fascinating Examples of Genetically Modified Animals is one jaw-dropping list!

Let’s start by shocking you right away! Did you know that Dolly is not a genetically modified animal? True story. Dolly, the world-famous cloned sheep, does not classify as a genetically modified organism. Cloning is a process in which you try to duplicate a grown organism. By the way, it’s been a long time since Dolly was introduced. From then on, others animals have been cloned, too. Dogs for detecting drugs, mice, even camels. But let’s not stray away from our topic. Clones possess the same genetic material as the original organism.

Genetically modified animals definition would state that in genetic engineering scientists manipulate genes to create improved or completely different organisms. Why are people doing that in the first place? There are several reasons which are every now and then being debated. Proponents of genetic modifications argue that by creating genetically modified animals, they are helping the humanity. Altering animals’ DNA brings results needed for development of medicines and even organs for transplantation. With the human population growing rapidly, scientists are growing genetically modified animals for food, i.e., they are trying to produce species with more muscle or meat. We shall see that with some species scientists had environment protection in mind. However, others see it as nothing else but animal cruelty, especially since there are plenty of examples of genetically modified animals gone wrong. You don’t always get the result you wanted, from the first try, do you?

Should you wish to know more about genetically modified animals pros and cons, check our article on 15 Advantages and Disadvantages of Genetically Modified Organisms. Also, you can take a look at which countries have taken genetic modification to the top in 11 Countries That Produce the Most Genetically Modified Crops.

In order to see which are the most interesting examples of genetically modified animals, we searched PopSci, Reuters, EnkiVillage, etc. The examples were numerous. However, there had to be some serious downsizing. First of all, we have already defined the difference between genetic modification and cloning. Secondly, we dealt with the following question: are featherless chickens genetically modified? Even though some of the sources recommended as stunning examples of genetically modified animals, both BBC and CrownHeights in their genetically modified animals articles quote the creator, Professor Avigdor Cahaner, who claims they are simply a result of mixing two different breeds and strictly insists there was no genetic engineering involved. To summarize, our list consists of only genetically modified animals. As for what qualifies as “fascinating,” we opted for curious species created for various purposes. They are listed in random order.

So, are you ready to raise your eyebrows? Prepare to be wowed with our list of fascinating examples of genetically modified animals!

10. Glow-in-the-dark animals

Would you believe there are plenty of them? Mice, cats, rabbits — the list is long. The secret is in the fluorescent jellyfish protein. As for a reason, the original would be that scientists are tracing how diseases are passed on from generation to generation. Just put the offspring under UV light and there you go.

9. Cows without proteins

Why have lactose-free milk when you can make lactose-free cows? OK, not yet, but that is behind this idea to breed cows that don’t produce a protein some people are allergic to – β-lactoglobulin. Also, the milk had more of a nutritious protein. Good news for bodybuilders!

8. Muscular animals

Talking about bodybuilding, how about pigs and mice that are much more muscular than the rest of the species?

7. Low-fart cows

We simply had to include these environmentally friendly cows into our list of 10 fascinating examples of genetically modified animals. These cows produce 25% less of methane than the average cow. Methane from cows is actually a greenhouse gas.

6. Milk mice

This is when you exclaim:”Now I’ve heard everything!”. People are altering mice genes in order to produce milk for human babies. There is a certain substance lacking in baby formulas, so this could help. Apparently.

5. Enviropigs

Enviropig, aka Frankenswine, is a type of pig modified to process and digest phosphorus better. The more phosphorous it digests properly, the less of it will end up in the soil as a fertilizer, and eventually in the water (ending up killing marine organisms).

4. Glittering gold seahorses

They are here due to their amazing beauty.

3. Super salmon

Up next on our list of fascinating examples of genetically modified animals is this giant among salmon. A true Samson. If it is approved soon, you’ll be eating it at your favorite restaurant.

2. Silk spinning goats

What is a web-spinning goat? Sometimes you gotta wonder where do scientists get these ideas. Who was it that first asked himself/herself: Can goats produce silk? Not any kind of silk, mind you. Spider silk. What is spider goat silk used for anyway? Spider silk is essential for science and medicine. Obviously, spiders can’t make enough of it. Hence the goats. Just don’t confuse them with transgenic goats. They are receiving not a spider, but human genes in order to produce proteins in milk that can treat diseases.

1. Micro pigs

We are ending our list of 10 fascinating examples of genetically modified animals with the cutest possible genetically modified pets — micro pigs. They have been bred for only two reasons: to be sold commercially and adored globally. Fascinating, isn’t it?