12 Bizarre Examples of Genetic Engineering

Here’s a look at some genetically engineered plants and animals.

M. Rehemtulla / Wikimedia Commons / CC by 2.0

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Glow-in-the-dark animals? It may sound like science fiction, but they’ve been around for years. Cabbages that produce scorpion poison? It’s been done. Oh, and the next time you need a vaccine, the doctor might just give you a banana.

These and many other examples of genetic engineering exist today because an organism’s DNA has been altered and combined with other DNA to create an entirely new set of genes. Genetic engineering (also known as genetic modification) involves using laboratory-based technologies to alter the DNA sequence of an organism. This could mean changing a single base pair (which forms the “rungs” of the DNA ladder), deleting a region of DNA, or adding a new segment of DNA to transfer a desirable trait from one organism to another. As the National Human Genome Research Institute explains on its website, “Used in research and industry, genetic engineering has been applied to the production of cancer therapies, brewing yeasts, genetically modified plants and livestock, and more.”

There are different forms of genetic modification. For centuries, farmers have relied on traditional crop modification, by selectively breeding and cross-breeding plant and animal species based on the traits they wanted to see continue. Lab-based genetic engineering was developed in the 1970s and copies desired traits from one organism into another. Genome editing (or CRISPR) is a newer method that’s more precise and targeted at making changes to DNA sequences for altered outcomes; these could be aimed at changing physical traits like eye color or reducing disease risk. From the National Human Genome Research Institute: “These technologies act like scissors, cutting the DNA at a specific spot. Then scientists can remove, add, or replace the DNA where it was cut.”

You may not realize it, but many of these genetically modified organisms are already a part of your daily life—and your daily diet. In 2020, 92% of U.S. corn, 94% of soybeans, and 96% of cotton were genetically engineered. Many of these plants are used to make ingredients used in other products, which is why it’s estimated that 60% to 70% of processed foods on grocery store shelves contain genetically engineered ingredients.

Here’s a look at some of the weirdest genetically engineered plants and animals already in existence—and many that are coming your way soon. Fortunately, there are no humans on this list!

Banana Vaccines

genetically engineered banana, which is full of virus proteins, their immune systems build up antibodies to fight the disease—just like a traditional vaccine.

Enviropig

Enviropig, or “Frankenswine,” as critics call it, is a pig that’s been genetically altered to better digest and process phosphorus. Pig manure is high in phytate, a form of phosphorus, so when farmers use the manure as fertilizer, the chemical enters the watershed and causes algae blooms that deplete oxygen in the water and kill marine life.

So scientists added an E. coli bacteria and mouse DNA to a pig embryo. This modification decreases a pig’s phosphorous output by as much as 70%, making the pig more environmentally friendly.

Fast-Growing Salmon

AquaBounty #salmon has been shown to grow from hatch to market size in 18-20 months vs 28-32 months for conventionally farmed salmon. We can responsibly raise more salmon in less time to help meet the growing demand for a safe source of healthy protein. https://t.co/10C7IzxPJO pic.twitter.com/RXOCzLTPud

— AquaBounty (@AquaBountyFarms) June 27, 2022

AquaBounty’s genetically modified salmon grows twice as fast as the conventional variety. The company says the fish has the same flavor, texture, color and odor as a regular salmon, and can help address overfishing problems. However, the debate continues over whether the fish is safe to eat or good for the environment.

Genetically engineered Atlantic salmon has an added growth hormone from a Chinook salmon that allows the fish to produce growth hormone year-round. Scientists were able to keep the hormone active by using a gene from an eel-like fish called an ocean pout, which acts as an “on switch” for the hormone.

Some opponents are concerned that if this fish were ever to escape or be introduced into ecosystems, it might be about outcompete native species and become invasive.

The FDA approved the sale of the salmon in the U.S. in 2015, marking the first time a genetically modified animal was approved for sale in the U.S.

‘Flavr Savr’ Tomato

Flavr Savr tomato was the first commercially grown genetically engineered food to be granted a license for human consumption. By adding an antisense gene, the California-based company Calgene hoped to slow the ripening process of the tomato to prevent softening and rotting, while allowing the tomato to retain its natural flavor and color.

The FDA approved the Flavr Savr in 1994; however, the tomatoes were so delicate that they were difficult to transport, and they were off the market by 1997. On top of production and shipping problems, the tomatoes were also reported to have a very bland taste: “The Flavr Savr tomatoes didn’t taste that good because of the variety from which they were developed. There was very little flavor to save,” said Christ Watkins, a horticulture professor at Cornell University.

Genetically Modified Trees

altered to withstand freezing temperatures, and loblolly pines have been created with less lignin, the substance that gives trees their rigidity.

However, critics argue that not enough is known about designer trees’ effect on their natural surroundings—they could spread their genes to natural trees or increase wildfire risk, among other drawbacks. Still, the USDA gave approval in May 2010 for ArborGen, a biotechnology company, to begin field trials for 260,000 trees in seven southern states.

Glow-in-the-Dark Animals

line of cattle that creates 25% less methane than the average cow.

Medicinal Eggs

genetically modified hens that produce cancer-fighting medicines in their eggs. The animals have had human genes added to their DNA so that human proteins are secreted into the whites of their eggs, along with complex medicinal proteins similar to drugs used to treat skin cancer and other diseases.

What exactly do these disease-fighting eggs contain? The hens lay eggs that have miR24, a molecule with potential for treating malignant melanoma and arthritis, and human interferon b-1a, an antiviral drug that resembles modern treatments for multiple sclerosis.

Pollution-Fighting Plants

engineering poplar trees that can clean up contamination sites by absorbing groundwater pollutants through their roots. The plants then break the pollutants down into harmless byproducts that are incorporated into their roots, stems and leaves or released into the air.

In laboratory tests, the transgenic plants are able to remove as much as 91% of trichloroethylene—the most common groundwater contaminant at U.S. Superfund sites—out of a liquid solution. Regular poplar plants removed just 3% of the contaminant.

Super Carbon-Capturing Plants

researchers hope to create bioenergy crops with large root systems that can capture and store carbon underground. Scientists are currently working to genetically modify perennials like switchgrass and miscanthus because of their extensive root systems.

Venomous Cabbage

produce scorpion poison that kills caterpillars when they bite leaves—but the toxin is modified so it isn’t harmful to humans.

Web-Spinning Goats

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