Now this is not the 1st of April.
But I was listening to the radio yesterday, an article about Genetically modified animals. This was a BBC station, incidentally - Radio 4.
It was stated that the Chinese have introduced spider genes into a goat, and the resulting animal, when mlked, produces copious amounts of spiders webs. This web material is incredibly strong and is used in "kevlar" type applications.
Can anyone confirm or deny this statement? Is the whole world going mad? Or maybe it's just me and I should stop listening to the radio.....
2007-01-16 20:18:11 · 11 answers · asked by Not Ecky Boy 6 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Zoology
Yeah, actually this is old news. I heard about the so-called 'Spider-Goat' a couple of years ago now.
They introduced the spider gene into the goat so the goat produces silk in it's milk. This silk can then be spun into a strong but light material. They're thinking about using it in things like bullet-proof jackets. A company called Nexia in Quebec, Canada is pioneering the technology.
2007-01-16 20:28:32 · answer #1 · answered by Sight 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I don't know if it is the Chinese, but this is not exactly news.
We studied this in one of my undergraduate molecular biology courses years ago.
The goats don't produce spider webs, but rather the protein that spiders use to spin their web. It is produced so that it is secreted by the mammary glands into the milk.
From here, scientists can extract the protein. This is an amazing fibre that could potentially be used to create more effective and lighter bullet proof vests, and other super-strong materials.
Great idea really (in my opinion anyway)
In answer to Carrat, it doesn't actually hurt the goats in any way. The gene is introduced ti the embryo (when it is only a few cells big), and when it grows up, it is perfectly normal in every other way. The protein does not harm or hurt them.
2007-01-16 20:25:32 · answer #2 · answered by Loulabelle 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
America genetically modified cow pies to produce Liberals . And look what a disaster that was!
2016-05-23 23:28:03 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Its true
but the goats that they have created now themselves ll not be able to give the spider web, but thier off spring will give.
This is where technology starts to speak .
ALMIGHTY
2007-01-16 20:37:42 · answer #4 · answered by ALMIGHTY 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
amazing. though i wonder why they chose a goat and a spider. surely a cow and a bee would be more beneficial ie producing honey in large quanties. though i wonder if it would have a sting in its tail
2007-01-16 21:06:41 · answer #5 · answered by Troubled Joe(the ghost of) 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You mean like this.
I don't want to disparage the BBC (in case they put my TV licence up again) but I don't trust these news stories 100%.
2007-01-16 20:22:07 · answer #6 · answered by fatherf.lotski 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
thats crazy...tampering with nature way too much.
looks like it happened years ago though and not heard much about it since so maybe they gave up on the weird idea.
I think animals should be left alone and not have bits added or changed in them its all just playing god a bit too much for my liking
2007-01-16 20:29:34 · answer #7 · answered by Carrot 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
i think you been taking to many of them eccys mate.
2007-01-16 21:02:21 · answer #8 · answered by BUSHIDO 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
God I hope not, that sounds too weird
2007-01-16 20:27:31 · answer #9 · answered by Nobody200 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
What a wonderful idea.............but i think someone was pulling your leg.
2007-01-16 20:27:14 · answer #10 · answered by patti 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋