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12 bizarre examples of genetic engineering: Web-spinning goats
12 bizarre examples of genetic engineering
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Brad Spiszer
Aug 21 2012 at 10:23 PM
So can we insert the DNA into a random guy named Peter Parker and create spiderman?
anber
Jun 10 2012 at 7:04 AM
Spider Sheep! Spider Sheep!
Does whatever a spider Sheep does!
can he swing from a web?
Yes he can cause he's got webby glands! Lookout!
Here comes the spider Sheep!!
oalem
May 03 2012 at 11:15 AM
I won't be impressed until they make a goat that poops platinum, or a monkey that has diamond boogers. Or a goose that...
Guest
Feb 29 2012 at 5:24 PM
It is entirely humane and it is used for great things, like the examples given and to make bullet proof vests for our Service men
Bryan
Jan 20 2013 at 5:43 AM
These are actually some of the most pampered and happiest goats in the world, they are very well treated.
Guest
Apr 16 2012 at 1:45 PM
Unfair? How? Is this more unfair than raising goats to be slaughtered and eaten, or to make kid gloves or expensive handbags? Or raising goats to make goat's milk?That's their milk, for THEIR KIDS, NOT human kids to drink! We are stealing their babies' milk essentially. I wouldn't say that's exactly a good thing, but is it any more unfair than raising goats with specially modified genes whose milk will be used to make some kind of super strong fiber for commercial use?
lora
Sep 05 2011 at 9:51 AM
Sigh. This is one of those examples of just cause you can, doesn't mean you should. -_-
Hashana
Aug 30 2011 at 9:57 PM
Doesn't anyone have a problem with GMOs?? How about the long term effects on not only the animal or plant but on the environment and the consumer?
Guest
Sep 06 2011 at 8:42 AM
thats why you test it and find out the long term effects. Nothing is wrong with this. In fact its quite genius, to be able to take something that is in high demand and be able to produce it naturally. its no different than taking a vaccine to make you immune to certain diseases. Have you had your tetnus shot? You're a GMO!
Pip
Apr 03 2012 at 11:19 AM
A 'GMO' is a genetically modified organism. You are very welcome Mr/Mrs Anon ;] .
Jim Sullivan
Feb 13 2011 at 9:24 PM
Biosteel - just what is needed for making all that equipment in order to assimilate you.
ray
Dec 01 2010 at 10:27 PM
put this gene in everyone and everything and we'll have plenty of silk to go around. fix everyone's ligaments 10times over.
Delicia Ambrosino
Dec 01 2010 at 6:10 PM
I'd rather the use of silk worms than the goat. Biosteel? Heaven help us.
Guest
Jan 23 2012 at 2:13 PM
"silk" created by a silkworm is no where close to the strength of spider "silk". If you are going to post a comment at least get a rudimentary education on the subject at hand.
Web-spinning goats
Strong, flexible spider silk is one of the most valuable materials in nature, and it could be used to make an array of products — from artificial ligaments to parachute cords — if we could just produce it on a commercial scale. In 2000, Nexia Biotechnologies announced it had the answer: a goat that produced spiders’ web protein in its milk.
Researchers inserted a spiders’ dragline silk gene into the goats’ DNA in such a way that the goats would make the silk protein only in their milk. This “silk milk” could then be used to manufacture a web-like material called Biosteel.
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