Genetically modified glowing fish run away from the farm

Striped fish genetically engineered to glow in different colors escape livestock farms, possibly disrupting biodiversity in the Atlantic forest.

Genetically modified zebrafish (Danio rerio) can glow in red, blue and green.

Scientists have found the presence of genetically modified zebrafish in southeastern Brazil and found them to breed in waters near nearby fish farms, new research published earlier this month in the journal Neotropical. Fauna and Environment. The transgenic zebrafish are bred with modified genes to give them different properties, in this case the effect of glowing under certain lighting conditions. Genetically modified animals are very common in aquariums and commercial fish markets. The glowing striped fish is even commercially known as Glofish.

Although bred in captivity, some fish escape to the countryside surrounding the farm. They are in the early stages of invasion and are likely to continue, according to researcher André Magalhães at the Federal University of São João.

Magalhães and colleagues studied the biology of zebrafish in watersheds near the aquaculture center in Muriaé, north of Rio. The fish breeding center and research team suspect they escaped from commercial cages. They report that the genetically modified zebrafish are thriving in the area. Their food includes aquatic insects.

Striped fish are native to Southeast Asia and have been familiar to geneticists since the 1990s because of many features, including embryos that develop outside of the body, that make them the choice of animals. genetic engineering and analysis scientists. The colorful glowing zebrafish is a recent commercial success and an attractive choice for aquariums. Striped fish are often modified by adding genes from luminous animals such as jellyfish or corals so that they can glow in the same way.

The existence of this zebrafish on the edge of one of Brazil's most biodiverse areas in the Atlantic forest is worrying because if it succeeds in spreading further, it could disrupt ecosystems. ecological balance nearby.