This week I am writing about more of a controversial topic. I am going to tell you about 7 genetically engineered animals you may not have known about and their purposes. Let’s start with the basics. GMO’s (Genetically Modified Organisms) are organisms that have been altered using certain DNA methods, gene modification, or transgenic technology. Genetic Engineering is also called genetic modification. I know those are some pretty big words, but don't worry because it is more of a broad category, I decided to only talk about a few genetically engineered animals that exist among science today to benefit us humans. I’ll let you decide, though, just how beneficial they are to us!

1. Web Spinning Goats

Back in 2000, a company named Nexia Biotechnologies helped create a goat that produces the protein found in spiders’ webs in its milk. They injected a dragline silk gene from spiders into goats. They later discovered that you could use the silk milk produced by the goats to create Biosteel, a web like material. Biosteel comes in handy for its toughness and elasticity. Scientists are hopeful that this will lead to even more uses such as parachute cords, artificial ligaments, and so on.

2. Fast-Growing Salmon

The company named AquaBounty contributed by their own form of the fish, salmon. The “Fast-Growing Salmon” is able to grow two times as fast as the ordinary species. Although it does smell, look, and taste the same, this is no normal fish. From the Atlantic Ocean, these fish were genetically altered to keep the growth hormone of Chinook salmon able to produce throughout the whole year. The hormone is kept active because of a gene from ocean pout, which is an eel like fish.

3. Glittering Gold Seahorses

Vietnamese scientists are to thank for this interesting creature, as it is the first genetically modified animal to come from Vietnam. The species was created using "gene shooting", a method used to insert jellyfish proteins with gold dust into the eggs of the seahorse. Catching the eye is not the only use for this animal; gene shooting has led to other discoveries, such as treating diabetes and other non-curable diseases. How? Problematic DNA is simply replaced within the body!

4. Mostly-Male Tilapia

Tilapia is a species of fish that have been through a lot of testing and genetic modifications. In doing so, it has helped them in growing or maturing faster and larger and surviving on a lower food supply. The farmers of Tilapia still aren’t satisfied, though. Their goal is to make male Tilapia more common than female. Female Tilapia go through a phase called "mouth brooding". During this extensive time period the females hold their eggs in their mouths. Due to their eggs’ safety, the mothers will not eat in caution of swallowing their offspring. The outcome of this is smaller fish, which leads to the farmers choosing the male fish over the females.

5. Glow-in-the-Dark Kitties

Yes, y’all, glow in the dark cats do exist. These eye-catching felines were created as a way to fight Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV). Feral cats are mostly affected by this disease, but how is that related to us? FIV is related to HIV in humans. In 2011, American and Japanese scientists decided to inject certain genes into cats to help them resist FIV. They also inserted a fluorescent green protein to track the cells more easily. They discovered that both resistant genes did pass on to the cats’ offspring. Scientists then were able to see exactly how this resistant gene came about by examination under a microscope. Can this lead to a gene that is resistant to HIV?

6. Featherless Chicken

Israel is where this strange prototype originated. The chickens are a part of the scientists’ project to develop more environmental friendly, low fat poultry. The naked chicken would be cheaper to raise due to needing less ventilation. Less hair equals no overheating. Also, the poultry does not require "plucking" which saves time, too. Scientists bred a naked neck species with a standard broiler chicken. The outcomes are not all good, however. Chickens have feathers to protect them, not only from weather, but also harsh parasites.

7. Hypo-Allergenic Pets

What can you do if your allergies won’t allow you to own a furry friend? Well, there are some options. You could either get a goldfish, vacuum, an air humidifier, or simply take some allergy medicine. Or finally, you could save up $7,000 and buy a hypo-allergenic pet. Thanks to the company, Lifestyle Pets, your furry friends can be bred by choosing cats and dogs that do not produce certain types of pet allergens responsible for causing us humans to have allergic reactions. Keep in mind that cats have four allergens, while dogs possess six of these allergens. Whether or not the animals are harmed during this process has not been uncovered, but for $3,000 shy of $10,000, you might just want to settle for a goldfish, anyways.

I hope my article has left you as mind blown as I was! Please reach out if you are interested in knowing more!