Genetically modified mongrel takes drugs, glows at nighttime

Labradoodles, Cockapoos and Puggles better make way, there is a new designer breed lighting up the pound — blacklight-style. Using an analogous somatic cell transfer technique that birthed the 1st puppy clone, Korean researchers at Seoul National University created Tegon, a glow-in-the-dark female beagle. The four years within the making, 3.2 billion won ($3 million) genetically modified pup fluoresces when exposed to UV light after ingesting a doxycycline antibiotic. Indisputably this Frankenweenie must have Uptown girls and Party kids scrambling for a bank loan, but a high-end canine accessory end will not be what the team had in mind. Citing the 268 diseases mutt and man share, lead scientist Lee Byeong-chun believes future lab-made pooches could include “genes that trigger fatal human diseases,” paving the way in which for all times-saving treatments. If any of here’s ringing your PETA alarm, we do not blame you. We’d much rather see this lambent hooch take the starring role in Tim Burton’s next, great reboot.

[Image credit via Reuters ]

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This post is tagged: female beagle, frankenweenie, human diseases, korean researchers, paving the way, seoul national university, somatic cell transfer