China Heralds Year of the Fluorescent Green Pig 112
Apocalypse111 writes "Chinese scientists have successfully bred partially green fluorescent pigs which they hope will boost stem cell research. A research team at the Northeast Agricultural University in Harbin managed to breed three transgenic pigs by injecting fluorescent green protein into embryonic pigs. Xinhua quoted Professor Liu Zhonghua as saying. 'The mouth, trotters and tongue of the pigs are green under ultraviolet light'."
Just what the world needs (Score:3, Funny)
Here's an accomplishment that will create a real conundrum for the Green Party. Is the pig a symbol to be cherished, a genetic freak to be feared, or some combination.
Re:Just what the world needs (Score:5, Funny)
Try it. Try it. Sam I am.
LK
Re:Just what the world needs (Score:5, Funny)
I would not eat it with a Wiimote
Fluorescent Green Bacon, not even a lick
But does the green bacon run Linux?
Re:Just what the world needs (Score:2)
Has no idea how to rhyme.
Re:Just what the world needs (Score:4, Insightful)
What the world doesn't want (Score:1)
But its the wrong kind of demonstration if you want to be able to sell genetically modified anything over the long term. The "humor" in my initial posting plays to the reasons why. The idea of glowing green animals is not attractive to people. It suggests, at least in Western culture, all sorts of hidden negative meanings, including radiation, decay, and "The Incredible Hulk".
The fact that we can do something is by no means a good reason to do something. Some experiments ought not to ever be done. This might have been one of them. Some experiments ought not to be publicized. This was probably one of them.
Re:Just what the world needs (Score:2, Funny)
Re:Just what the world needs (Score:2)
And that is what has been spurring porcine aeronautics, lo these 6 months.
Re:Just what the world needs (Score:3, Insightful)
The irony is that the green pig would probably be the least artificial thing on McDonald's menu.
Night shot camera?? (Score:1)
Re:Night shot camera?? (Score:1)
fluorescent green porking (Score:5, Funny)
Unless I'm missing something here, I've already seen similar footage involving Paris Hilton in a hotel room. I wasn't aware that she was the result of a genetic experiment, but it sure would explain a lot.
Re:fluorescent green porking (Score:2)
Re:fluorescent green porking (Score:1)
1. Inject with genetic material ...
2. Record with night shot
3.
4. Profit!
Re:Night shot camera?? (Score:2)
Either theory could be valid - it's weird how the pigs seem to glow only in a certain radius - like a light (not necessarily visible to humans) was shown on them - they have dark spots.
In any case I won't rule anything out - it's possible. Watches used to have dials that glowed fluorescent in the dark after a decent exposure to light (phosporus?). Submarines too - WW2 era. I'll read the article to see if the pigs have to be exposed to light beforehand.
Re:Night shot camera?? (Score:2)
Re:Night shot camera?? (Score:1)
Re:Night shot camera?? (Score:2)
http://www.wftv.com/slideshow/news/2691965/detail
I recommend looking at the rest of the gallery too, there's some pretty fun stuff.
Green Eggs and Ham (Score:5, Funny)
I do not like them with a fox.
I do not like them in a house.
I do not like them with a mouse.
I do not like them here or there.
I do not like them anywhere.
I do not like green eggs and ham.
I do not like them, Sam-I-am.
From China with love,
Re:Green Eggs and Ham (Score:2)
Long Live Dr. Suse
(Er, Sue Us,
er, Suuueeeeee!,
oh, whatever!
Re:Green Eggs and Ham (Score:2)
Chris Mattern
FDA Rules Green Ham Safe For Human Consumption (Score:4, Funny)
In other news, Hormel spokesperson Sam I Am is the Public Relations Man Of The Year according to...
This has been done before (Score:0)
Seen this before (Score:0)
From January. (Score:3, Interesting)
Now ..... (Score:0)
Re:Now ..... (Score:3, Funny)
Re:Now ..... (Score:0)
In order for a pig to be a flying, it would be to generate enough lift in order to offset the force of gravity. Read about Flight [wikipedia.org]
The method you describe seems to be a process that turns pigs into pancakes.
Re:Now ..... (Score:1)
Re:Now ..... (Score:2)
Re:Now ..... (Score:2)
Re:Now ..... (Score:1)
Re:Now ..... (Score:1)
Re:Now ..... (Score:1)
Re:Now ..... (Score:1)
Re:Now ..... (Score:2)
dupe? (Score:3, Informative)
damn chinese imitation ripoff... (Score:2)
How being green helps (Score:4, Informative)
Below is the info I wanted to know that's not included in MSNBC link
The scientists will use the transgenic pigs to study human disease. Because the pig's genetic material encodes a protein that shows up as green, it is easy to spot.
So if, for instance, some of its stem cells are injected into another animal, scientists can track how they develop without the need for a biopsy or invasive test.
Re:How being green helps (Score:1)
Re:dupe? (Score:1)
Good thing is that it will all stay within a fluorescent realm of the ruling party.
Re:dupe? (Score:2)
Somehow I think this is some sort of wicked scientist in-joke to test DNA manipulation.
- How far along are we in our transgenic studies now?
- Well, we can make the flourescent green pig!
This is old news (Score:1, Funny)
I for one... (Score:1, Funny)
Re:I for one... (Score:2)
But They Won't Breed with an Elephant... (Score:4, Funny)
Cripes they're mixing pigs with jellyfish and the most interesting thing they can think to do with it is make the pig green? How about breeding a pig with deadly stinging tentacles? Now that would be something truly worthwhile!
Re:But They Won't Breed with an Elephant... (Score:1, Funny)
Re:But They Won't Breed with an Elephant... (Score:2)
obligatory (Score:0)
This seems counterproductive (Score:2)
Been there, done that! (Score:0)
Taiwan is not china. (Score:3, Insightful)
The BBC used the correct name, it's Taiwan and it's been independant for some time now. Get over it.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/4605202.s
Re:Taiwan is not china. (Score:1)
Because it is?
This is not a dupe. It was Taiwanese scientists last time, this time it is Chinese scientists.
From TFA:
Harbin is very much in China.
Re:Taiwan is not china. (Score:2)
Re:Taiwan is not china. (Score:2)
The bottom line, call them Taiwanese. Especially if you ask them where they're from and they answer 'Taiwan' and not 'China'. This way you're not likely to offend someone (well, apart from the Chinese, probably
Re:Taiwan is not china. (Score:1)
Re:Taiwan is not china. (Score:2)
On the other hand, the president Chen Shui-bian is a 'true Taiwanese'. Everything he does is impeccable. The embezzlement charges against him is clearly politically motivated to overthrown the 'Taiwanese regime'. If he's appropriated any government money, it must be the system's fault, not his. Because the opposition party, KMT, set up the system in the past, the KMT (read Chinese) is to blame, even though they've never touch the money this way before or after the DPP's coming into power.
Thinking this is too ridiculous to be true? Just google 'chen shui-bian receipts scandal'. It may give one a clue on what's going on in Taiwan, but not much, as the English language media have always had a biased view on such matters.
Re:Taiwan is not china. (Score:1)
"Oh, you are from China, isn't that somewhere near Taiwan?"
I'd be amused if being asked as such (Score:2)
"Oh, you are from America. Isn't that somewhere near Guantanamo?"
Re:I'd be amused if being asked as such (Score:1)
Anyway, since you seem educated and you live in China (I am guessing), can you tell me a little bit about it?
Specifically, I have spoke with people in the US that refuse to purchase goods from Wal-Mart on the basis that most of those goods are produced in China and the people that manufacture them live in poverty and are treated inhumanely by your government.
What is your opinion on the matter? Also, if it isn't too personal, what are your living conditions like?
Re:I'd be amused if being asked as such (Score:2)
As an oversea Chinese, I currently live in the UK. Living situation here is not too bad, except the weather ;-p. I grew up in China and spent my first 20 some years there. Needless to say, I've been always keen on developments back in my home country and as a fluent Chinese speaker, also have access to first hand information and opinions from different sides. I think I'm somehow in a position to express my views. However, because China is such a big and diverse country and I'm not living there, I can only speak for myself.
Firstly, I honestly don't think boycotting Wal-Mart or all goods made in China would make any difference at all. Even if western consumers could really make their actions together to stop Wal-Mart sourcing from China, there'd always be some other countries' workers being exploited all the same. It's capitalism and consumerism society that made the present situation. Customers want to pay less for more. Wal-Mart wants to maximize their profit by forcing vendors selling cheap. Factories want buyers' orders to keep in operation. Local officials want more tax revenue and are easily bribable. The workers, most of whom are from rural China, want to make a living. It's getting harder and harder to maintain a livelihood on the land. They don't have a choice but being exploited in the factories. This is very sad. I know it very well because I've been to such factory before, as a field support engineer. My deepest sympathy goes with them. However, as someone who has learned a little world history, I know the Chinese sweat shop workers are not alone. Similar things happened before in 19 century Britain, pre-war US and in fact, any industrializing country. Wealth created during the industrializing process is not farely distributed to the whole society because of the greediness in human nature.
The only difference here is that before most people were not conscious about it and there wasn't adquate legislation to protect the workers. Nowadays, such conditions are easily made known to everyone through the Internet. Moreover, the stereotypical image of a communist regime makes the western perception over this matter worse.
However, blaming the communists for what capitalism does is totally misleading. Labour camps, gulag and such have nothing to do with the workers conditions. If China was still in such dreadful communists' rule today, how could it be so many capitalists in good business there?
Not only has the CCP today lost its big brother like power it used to have decades ago, also the government is no longer monolithic. There're often reports about local officials being defiant to the central government over economic policies. Liberal officials and scholars who has close connection with the government often express views publically that are very different to the orthodox. The whole society is changing, rapidly.
Although democracy is still among the many things Chinese people would like to achieve, corruption, the lack of a rule-of-law tradition, and the absence of a critical press are the direct threats to a common Chinese seeking a better life. Lot of Chinese are well aware of the above and are fighting to get things straight. There are setbacks, but I sincerely hope more improvements are coming, because it not only in Chinese people's interests, also helps to make the world a better place.
For thousands of years, the Chinese have been such an intelligent and innovative nation, there's no reason for me not to believe, that after putting behind those ideological nonsense we can't overcome the problems today.
Re:Taiwan is not china. (Score:2)
Re:Taiwan is not china. (Score:1)
Re:Taiwan is not china. (Score:0)
Taiwan Uni produced some green pigs at the beginning of 2006
Some mainland China Uni duplicated the research.
TFA confused the two and used the Taiwan picture to illustrate the Mainland story.
btw - anyone notice the name of the BBC reporter?
*g*
Re:Taiwan is not china. (Score:1)
China = communists = evil (Score:2)
Anti-china = democracy = good
Come on, moderators. How was this mod'ed insightful?
Even if it's not biased stereotyping, the dispute over Taiwan's political status has nothing to do with scientific discoveries.
Re:Taiwan is not china. (Score:2)
Re:Taiwan is not china. (Score:2)
BTW: that BBC article has video too.
No traitors these days unless you wanna make some (Score:3, Interesting)
Does it really matter at all? Independent or not, Taiwan sees no future outside the Chinese economy. DPP government's de-sinolization policies have no other effect than a weakened economy, and perhaps, hatred among its own people.
What's the point of independence? "Because PRC has never ruled Taiwan?" Have a good look at the ROC constitution, is there any room for Taiwan independence? No. That's why DPP hates it so much and wants to change it so much despite the objection from the US. Yes, the United States of America, not People's Republic of China. As it gets no one any benefit but is such a risk to Asia-Pacific security.
But hey, now president Chen Shui-bian's solicitors are holding the ROC constitution as a shield in court defending his wife's graft case. They even invented a theory: 'what the president thinks a state secret is state secret, therefore no written document is needed to present in the court to prove anything.' As the constitution prevent Chen from indictment, they are hoping this will protect his wife too. How pathetic!
If those guys really want it so much as to fight for it, then go fight for it. That's at least decent. Provoking PRC behind the protection of the US is timid. Whining at the provoked action is even more cowardish. The DPP certainly does not care about the real consequences. Whenever the big clumsy communist party reacts, the DPP gets the votes. That's how democracy in Taiwan works. That's also the reason why Chen plays an independence hardliner every time there is a election coming. When the election is over and the US expresses its dismay, Chen plays reconciliation. It worked every time for him since his coming to power in 2000.
The PRC government learned his tricks over the years. You don't see them criticizing Chen anymore. They are now 'putting hope on the Taiwanese people'. That's logical. Why waste your effort fighting a ideological war that no one never wins when you can do something more meaningful such as boosting the economy and bringing the real benefit to people accross the Taiwan Strait?
Re:No traitors these days unless you wanna make so (Score:1)
Chinese scientists invent a new type of dupe (Score:1)
This appears to be a new type of dupe. I googled for fluorescent pigs and got this latest "news" swamping the top 30 results. Add a -china -taiwan and some reports from around 2001-2002 came up, including a research paper entitled:
"Transgenic pig expressing the enhanced green fluorescent protein produced by nuclear transfer" Jul 2002.
Did anyone else have the feeling they had read this a seriously long time ago?
Given a research paper and a few years, Chinese scientists seem to be able to invent anything.
Re:Chinese scientists invent a new type of dupe (Score:1)
Party Animals (Score:2)
The other day at ShopRite... (Score:2)
soylent (Score:1)
Pigs (Three Different Ones) (Score:1)
Good job (Score:2)
Odd article (Score:3, Interesting)
Another article I have read explained that the Taiwanese pigs where superior due to their much stronger glow throughout their bodies which can be seen in the picture.
Link to the other article:
ahref=http://www.theregister.co.uk/2006/12/29/flu
And here is where the pic came from:
ahref=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacif
Re:Odd article (Score:2)
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/4605202.s
And now we can make green SPAM as well (Score:1)
http://www.spam.com/ [spam.com]
sure, that's what they want us to think. (Score:5, Funny)
what really happened is that kermit finally knocked up miss piggy.
Re:sure, that's what they want us to think. (Score:1)
Something missing (Score:2)
Re:Something missing (Score:1)
FINALLY! (Score:2)
Thanks China!
I, for one, (Score:2)
(Sorry, I couldn't resist....and it is one of the cooler "overlord" sayings possible for the last few months.)
Call Marvel Comics (Score:1)
Teenage Mutant Ninja Pigs, the X-Pigs...
Green Eggs and Ham? (Score:1)
Re:Green Eggs and Ham? (Score:2)
Obligatory Simpsons MisQuote... (Score:1)
Looks like something out of (Score:1)
Science Fiction - Reality (Score:1)
Didn't anyone notice that..... (Score:3, Informative)
What we call a black light doesn't make an area black - it causes things which are flourescent in nature to glow. White objects look purple, reds take on more of an orange glow, and greens really look saturated. Pigs are not the cleanest of creatures and biological refuse (such as blood, offal, urine, and such) glow under flourescent lights as well. Even the cleanest creature will glow somewhat due to the various substances which are brushed up against or contained within the skin. None of that shows up in the picture.
The picture is a circular area which shows the backs and tops of the pig's head, it's shoulders, and ears. None of which are the mouths, feet, or tongue. Had the picture had dim outlines of the pigs with their mouth's glowing and their feet glowing - it would have been believe-able. Because it would have matched what was said. But this picture does not.
Creepy (Score:1)
foot n mouth (Score:1)
cook in the dark? (Score:1)
It's like hunting scorpions (Score:2)
FAKE! (Score:1)
Can't wait (Score:2)
Re:FIRST POST (Score:2)