USATODAY: DayGlo Dog Cloned in South Korea

[Beam Me Up]

Personally, I don't find this the least bit humorous but you have to admit the headline catches your attention:

DayGlo dog cloned in S. Korea

outh Korean scientists have cloned a DayGlo dog to serve humankind — as a disease model, NewScientist reports.

A beagle named Ruppy — short for Ruby Puppy — is the world's first transgenic canine. In this case, researchers led by Byeong Chun Lee of Seoul National University took a cloned cell and inserted a fluorescent protein produced by sea anemones that glows red under ultraviolet light. Four other beagle pups have since been cloned.

"The next step for us is to generate a true disease model," said team member CheMyong Ko of the University of Kentucky.

Other researchers expressed skepticism that transgenic dogs would become used widely as human disease models. One said the process is laborious, expensive and slow.

(Ruppy the beagle puppy glows red under ultraviolet light. The red protein can be seen in Ruppy's skin and fur in normal light. Photos by Byeong Chun Lee via NewScientist.)

PIX at link: http://blogs.usatoday.com/ondeadline/2009/04/dayglo-dog-cloned-in-s-korea.html

[undeterred]

1. Ever since I got him neutered my dog has been asking

if he can clone himself, since he can't reproduce. Seems only fair. :shrug:

[Duer 157099]

2. Not humorous?

How can it not be?

I mean, yeah, it's a serious matter and an incredibly valuable tool, but it can still be funny.

No?

[Beam Me Up]

4. I'm a sap. I feel sorry for animals used in research. n/t

[Duer 157099]

6. Yeah, me too

But I still recognize the value of the technique (and it's not new either, it's been around for at least a decade)

[Beam Me Up]

7. ESPECIALLY puppies. :-( n/t

[petronius]

3. Great! Plenty of serious issues in the world, and these scientists spend their days

creating a designer pet for the ectasy-popping rave crowd...

Still, it's pretty cool!

[Beam Me Up]

5. I bet they haven't even thought of that market angle -- yet. Gee, now maybe I want one!

[Deja Q]

8. Pics of frankenfido:

http://blogs.usatoday.com/.a/6a00d83451b46269e20115704f3472970b-pi

http://blogs.usatoday.com/.a/6a00d83451b46269e201156f58f5aa970c-pi

Drat. Didn't go through. Oh well. At least I got to mention 'frankenfido'... :)

[Lorien]

9. They've already created glow in the dark cats:

http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-9833107-1.html





The cats they're using are Turkish Angoras; a very ancient breed that nearly went extinct 40 years ago and is considered "sacred" by Muslims (I wonder how they feel about this)? I have two Turks of my own; they're like feline border collies-very active, smart, curious and extremely social. I can't imagine how difficult it would be on a Turk to be kept in a cage in a lab! Can you imagine doing such a thing to a border collie?? (it's horrible for any intelligent animal-but even harder on some). Though I do have to admit; I sometimes wish that my Turks would glow in the dark so I wouldn't step on them at night!

Pippin and Puck:

[Beam Me Up]

10. Pippin is stunningly beautiful! Thanks!! n/t

[rug]

11. Just in time for the Dead reunion.