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[GSAS-Member] RE: question for article on aquarium fish - Greater Seattle Aquarium Society
Hi Marcel,
I posed your research to our club via the group email list.
Here are the results.
Rick Rose
GSAS President
Here is my presentation of your topic.
GSAS Members,
Here is your chance to be heard. I've been contacted by a German
Scientist/Author who is doing research for an upcoming article. The subject
is "Genetically altered ornamental fish." The "GloFish" was introduced and
made available in the US a few years ago. At the time, there were very
strongly held opinions on both sides of the issue - some thought they were
REALLY COOL and others wanted such "un-natural science" BANNED.
Remember, we are NOT talking about the very unpopular practice of injecting
dye into tetras, etc. with needles. The fish in question have been
genetically altered to be born with new characteristics using (and don't
quote me on this specific detail) jellyfish dna.
1) Have you seen these "Glow-in-the-Dark" fish for sale locally - if
so, WHERE?
2) Have you seen them for sale via mail-order - if so, WHERE?
3) What was your INITIAL opinion on the issue?
4) Has your opinion changed over time?
5) Would you buy and keep these fish?
6) Do you currently have (or have you ever had) these fish in your
tanks?
And here are the results.
1) Yes Men (3)
Women (3)
No Men (2)
Women (1)
2) Yes Men (0)
Women (1)
No Men (5)
Women (2)
3) Initial Impressions?
* What Issue?
* I feel this is a dangerous use of technology
* I tend to be uncomfortable with the unnatural (would never happen in
the 'real' world) genetic alteration of organisms. When combining the
genetic structures of two (or more) organisms, all of which potentially
carry latent retroviruses which may now recombine in potentially new,
potentially fatal combinations is a scary thing. I don't see the point in
risking this for a strictly ornamental purposes.
* Initially, it was that this is much better than the poor tortured
dyed fish for those who feel the need to have such artificial creatures.
Mostly little kids and trendy types...
* I think they are cool.
* So long as the wild type is preserved and there is no cruelty, I
have no ethical issues with GM creatures. As a former biochemistry guy, I
think these fish are a neat demonstration of an important technology and I
hope they will inspire people to learn more about biology.
* Cute and weird all at the same time. I thought - why is someone
wasting time on this? But then is time really ever wasted when anything is
learned? I have no problem (never had) with genetically alteration - I see
no difference between it and selective breeding - And I am with the guy who
was against parrot Cichlids - Well not about the cichlids I don't mind them
- But those weird eyed Gold fish?! Now that is an abomination!! They should
not be released in the wild but then my angelfish and guppies (all hybrids)
should not be either.
4) Yes Men (1)
Women (0)
No Men (3)
Women (4)
5) Yes Men (3)
Women (2)
No Men (2)
Women (2)
6) Yes Men (1)
Women (0)
No Men (4)
Women (4)
Additional Comments.
There are plenty of genetically altered things in our world and things that
wouldn't happen in nature normally. I think it's harmless to have a glowing
fish. It probably wouldn't survive long if it escaped anyway.
Susan Welenofsky, Mill Creek, WA
Some of these fish will escape from captivity (ie by flushing) and will
become a vector for allowing genetic material to combine in unnatural ways
in nature. I think the term gene-jumping represents one way this can happen.
They have added animal dna to plants already (porcine dna in tomatoes to
make the skin tougher). There are so many potential problems. I see
allergies in many sick patients in my practice. What will happen to someone
when a food they currently can eat causes a reaction because of some foreign
dna? Some allergic reactions are life threatening, and all make life less
enjoyable. Some strains of rice, worldwide the most important staple crop,
are already contaminated through genetic engineering.
Dr. John Ruhland, Seattle, WA
As long as they are kept separate from the natural fish (so that the
original form is preserved), I don't see a huge problem. There are a lot of
different types of people who keep fish, not everyone is a purist.
Sometimes these sorts of things can be the starting point for people who
later move onto more serious fish keeping. We selectively breed several
different species (bettas, discus, angles, goldfish, guppies...) in order to
change their appearance, it's something humans seem compelled to do.
Victorea Earnst, Seattle, WA
These fish don't glow in the dark! They are fluorescent, which means that
they radiate light of a specific wavelength (red) as long as they are being
illuminated with light of sufficient energy. (White or even uv). I don't
have any problem with them being produced or sold. I prefer the "wild" type
of most fish but can enjoy bettas, angels, guppies, platties etc. I
seriously doubt that they pose a threat to the natural populations of zebra
danios in Asia.(at least those sold in North America).
Dave Sanford, Renton, WA
I don't particularly care for zebra danios, glowing, long finned or any
variety, so No, but I have no problem if the fish becomes someone's intro
into the aquarium hobby. We need more hobbyists. I do draw the line at the
hideous 'parrot cichlid' mutants though. *That's* a revolting abomination
and should be eradicated. But, I guess that fish was a forced hybridization
instead of something generated through gene-splicing (though the results are
the same.)
Matt Kaufman, Redmond, WA
-----Original Message-----
From: marcel robischon [mailto:marcel.robischon@web.de]
Sent: Thursday, February 16, 2006 10:01 AM
To: rick-rose@comcast.net
Subject: question for article on aquarium fish - Greater Seattle Aquarium
Society
Dear Mr. Rose
I am working on a small popular science article on the issue of genetically
ornamental fish. I am trying to find information on how well the transgenic
GloFish that is on sale in the US or the GM Medaka fish that was at times
sold in the country too were received by aquarium hobbyists. Could I
possibly ask you for a comment or some advice, how to find out more about
this? Has the initial craze about the fish - whether as an enthusiastic
positive reaction, or a vehement rejection changed over the last two years?
Is there a prevalent attitude on the issue among your members? Is the fish
regularly sold in your area? Do members of your society keep it - and do
they think of it as an interesting fish to keep and observe?
Any comment or suggestion whom to ask on thi! s topic would be of great help
and I thank you very much in advance
with my greetings and best wishes
Marcel Robischon
Dr. M. Robischon
Lassbergstr. 14
D-79117 Freiburg
Germany
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