Glow Kitten Mayo Clinic
Genetically modified glow-in-the-dark cats not only make stylish, futuristic pets, but now provideinsight into feline AIDS as well. The cats were injected with an antiviral gene from a rhesus macaque monkey that helps them resist feline AIDS, along with one that produces the fluorescent protein GFP. The latter gene, which is naturally produced by jellyfish, is regularly used in genetic engineering as a way to mark cells. If the cats aren't glowing, then the AIDS-resisting gene might not have made it into the cell either.
Infection-fighting proteins called restriction factors, made by both cats and humans, are powerless against their respective versions of AIDS. But monkey versions of restriction factors, like the ones produced by the gene from the rhesus macaque, are able to fight HIV and FIV, as the viruses' counter-weapons are designed to fight against human or cat proteins.
The team of American and Japanese scientists injected the antiviral gene and the GFP gene into feline eggs. Almost all of the offspring from these modified eggs had the restriction factor genes, with both fluorescent and AIDS-fighting proteins made throughout their bodies. Cells taken from the animals were found to be resistant to FIV, and the team plans to eventually expose the cats themselves to the virus to see if the restriction factors will protect them. Proof that these genes can protect cats from feline AIDS would be a huge step towards figuring out how to protect humans and prevent HIV.
What do we have to do after we read this ?
ReplyDeleteI think it is fascinating that they are able to do this with cats . its neat that their genetics were able to sustain the gene given to them. I would love to have one of these.
ReplyDeleteI think that glow in the dark cats would be helpful because what if you lose your cat some where in the house and you could find them when they are glowing in the dark.
ReplyDeleteThis would be a great pet , you could not lose it in your house, you could turn off the lights and then find it very easily. Like what ej said its neat their genetics were able to substain the gene, also it would be a very good thing if these genes can protect cats from feline AIDS , it could possibly protect humans from AIDS and HIV
ReplyDeleteI think this is pretty cool that you can cure aids or HIV with these studies. I am worried that they could possibly get a different disease from this. Kids might like the cat but i seriously doubt they will sell these cats at the pet store cheap if at all.
ReplyDeleteThis article is very instercting with an antiviral gene from a rhesus macaque monkey that helps them resist feline AIDS. Also the cats will be easy to find inside and both outside a house. This could possible help improve and protect humans from AIDS and HIV.
ReplyDeleteI think it would be a nice and mobile night light for those who are scared of the dark and does the glow in the dark represent that the cat has aids?
ReplyDeleteI honestly don’t care for the glowing cats. It could really be annoying seeing a green cat walking around. This article has talked about cats possibly getting injections with the AIDS fighting proteins. Besides cats, couldn’t they test other organisms, as in humans, on this kind of thing? It could really save a lot of lives. But even if they tested on humans the same way with cats, they would probably need to find another way on us not being able to glow, something that we really don’t need.
ReplyDeleteHaving a glowing cat would be cool but then annoying as well. It'd be easy to find my cat if it was glow-in-the-dark and nice to tell people my cat glows, but at night when I'm trying to sleep I wouldn't want my cat to jump on my bed and wake me up from the glow.
ReplyDeleteI mean, this is a great idea and all, but has anyone checked to make sure that the cats won't develop an entirely different disease? If I new the cats would be perfectly safe in this I would more easily support the cause. Especially since a glow in the dark cat would be really neat to see out in the world, just not if it's dying, y'know?
ReplyDeleteI think having a glow in the dark cat would be annoying & scary. But I also think it was a good idea because it can possible fight off viruses that we usually can fight. Then again there might be other viruses that can come from the glow in the dark. I think they should study it on a human to see what happens.
ReplyDeletei think having a glow in the dark cat would be weird but cool. The cat would be glowing like all the time which would be annoying but it prevents aids and hivs. I think they should find other ways to prevent these diseases for cats.
ReplyDeleteI think it is neat how their genetics allow them to do this
ReplyDeletei think having something that could prevent aids and hivs is awesome. i think that the glowing of the cat would be the down fall about it but i think it would be cool too. i think that if they can find this way for preventing diseases for cats then they can surly find another way so that they don't glow.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Emily, I think they should find a way where the side effects are less harsh. If they started testing on humans it would be weird and awkward if they glowed in the dark
ReplyDeleteI think it is good that it can prevent aids and hiv. The cat would be annoying though. It would glow all the time, even when you want it to be dark. I wish you could turn off the glow in the dark when you didn't want it on.
ReplyDeleteI think it is cool that cats with the glow-in-the-dark ability can hass less of a chance to get AIDS or HIV. The cat could be annoying at some points tho. Like at night time when you are trying to sleep it couls keep waking you up. Afterall I think this is idea has its pros and cons
ReplyDeleteI think it's great to have something that could prevent hiv and aids but this could also be dangerous and cause other problems. They should test it on other animals and humans to see if it affects them the same way or not. I think it would be really cool to have a cat that glows in the dark.
ReplyDeleteI Think glow in the dark cats is neat because if your scared of the dark the glow cat can be your night light. Or it can be something cool to have.
ReplyDeleteA glow in the dark cat would be very useful. This could help you know where your cat is at all times, it also could help you around the house when its dark.
ReplyDeleteI think that it's cool that Mr.Dunn can still keep this going. To me all it means it that here really is just a great teacher. Stay great Mr.Dunn. Good Luck.
ReplyDeleteI think it is a great idea if it can help cure HIV or AIDS. To many people have died from this disease. I think it can also help kids who are afraid of the dark and use for a night light.
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