GloFish were America's first genetically engineered pet. Made from a combination of DNA from the zebrafish and either sea anenome or coral, these tiny neon swimmers glow under black or blue light. These fish are readily available for purchase around most of the USA and are popular among individuals of all ages. Despite their seemingly innocent appeal, GloFish are actually a biotechnical innovation that have raised many ethical questions and concerns.
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But they are cute glowing fish - what is there to consider? Concerns have been voiced over the ethics of genetically modifying an animal for human benefit in general. Additionally, GloFish may pose an environmental threat if they were to be released into the wild. GloFish have also been shown to have a shorter life span than non genetically modified fish. And, some people worry that genetically engineering pets is a dangerous step towards the widespread adoption of genetic engineering for all sorts of purposes.
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In fact, GloFish were banned in the state of California for many years. You might be thinking, "why would a state ban a cute little pet?" Well, California's Department of Fish & Wildlife had concerns of environmental consequences, policy, and precedent. After further review, the state of California legalized the sell of GloFish in 2015, concluding "GloFish pose no foreseeable risk of harm to native fish and wildlife in California." Even still, GloFish serve as the perfect example for examining how our values interrelate with ethics, communication, and government.
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