A group of genetically modified monkeys with glow-in-the-dark feet could help advance research into neurological illnesses such as Parkinson’s and Huntington’s.
Genetically modified monkeys in scientific research are not uncommon, however, these are the first family to pass a manufactured genetic trait onto a second generation.The monkeys, which were created by Japanese scientists, are expected to further research projects into hereditary diseases in the future.A team led by Erika Sasaki, of Keio University, spliced the green fluorescent protein gene into 91 marmoset embryos using a modified virus.After the embryos were placed in a surrogate mother, the resulting monkeys were then used to fertilise further embryos creating GM offspring.”The successful creation of transgenic marmosets provides a new animal model for human disease that has the great advantage of a close genetic relationship with humans,” the researchers wrote.Monkeys are not susceptible to Alzheimer’s however, so the new breed is unlikely to be used in this line of research.