Scientists breed see-through frogs

[M.D. Holloway]

Scientists breed see-through frogs

Oct. 1: Scientists in Japan say they have genetically engineered frogs with clear skin so they can research their internal organs without harming the frogs. Msnbc.com's Dara Brown reports. MSNBC.com, updated 11:39 a.m. CT, Mon., Oct. 1, 2007

HIROSHIMA, Japan - Scientists at Hiroshima University have succeeded in breeding see-through frogs — an innovation that could cut down on future dissections.

Transparent fishes have been around for a long time, but Professor Masayuki Sumida said the new line of frogs were the world's first transparent four-legged animals.

Sumida, an amphibian specialist who led the university's research team, said the transparent-skinned frogs could become widely used in scientific research because internal organs and blood vessels can be observed without dissecting the creatures.

Frogs are frequently used for research, but such projects have come in for increased criticism from animal protection groups.

Scientists have long known that certain recessive genes resulted in pale-skinned frogs, Sumida explained. The researchers were delighted to find that, under the right conditions, second generations of pairs of frogs with those recessive genes produced transparent offspring.

"It was the first time in the world, so I wanted to shout for joy," Sumida said.

The skin of the tadpoles was nearly without pigment, and researchers could observe how the organs grew in the body as they transformed into full-grown frogs. Sumida said there was still a small amount of yellow pigment in the skin of the frogs, and he was working to breed it out.

Although the new breeding methods could lead to more humane amphibian research, Sumida said there won't be any see-through mice or humans anytime soon. Mammalian skin is different from frog skin, so the methods will not work with mammals, he said.

[Palum6o]

Sorry, this sounds great and all, but you're not a real scientist unless you have the experience of pithing a frog.

[widebody911]

Originally Posted by Palumbo

Sorry, this sounds great and all, but you're not a real scientist unless you have the experience of pithing a frog.

Did that in high school biology class - does that make me a real scientist?

[Palum6o]

You bet it does...

Actually, it is a disturbing experience.

http://www.frogsite.org/Anti_Pithing.html

[Nostril Cheese]

never dissected frogs in school. We had fetal pigs for some reason. Very interesting.

[stealthn]

Sure they can make see through frogs, but can they get my Xray glasses to work that I ordered from the back of a magazine?

[legion]

Originally Posted by Nostril Cheese

never dissected frogs in school. We had fetal pigs for some reason. Very interesting.

That's what I had as well. I couldn't stand the smell of them--the preservative to be exact...made me ill. Even then I'm sure the enviro-police had made sure they weren't preserved in formaldehyde. The actual dissecting didn't bother me so much.

[M.D. Holloway]

I took a class in College - Comparative Anatomy - had to cut 18 different animals with vertebrates and proceed to compare all their systems. From the lowly amphioxus which is a worm with a backbone all the way to a cadaver which provided me a new respect for people who donate their bodies to science. I will say the turtle is by far the strangest as far as viscera placement was concerned and the mink is the smelliest.

Two tricks that helped with the smell of formaldehyde - putting a little Vicks under your nose and to chew Double Mint.

[Palum6o]

What would happen if one decided to lick a clear frog? Would you see clearer?

[WolfeMacleod]

Originally Posted by LubeMaster77

HIROSHIMA, Japan - Scientists at Hiroshima University ....

hmm...I think that explains it right there....

[frogger]

This whole clear frog thing is just sick.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Money well spent!

[scottmandue]

Originally Posted by LubeMaster77

Although the new breeding methods could lead to more humane amphibian research, Sumida said there won't be any see-through mice or humans anytime soon.

Well, what is the point then!

[Porsche-O-Phile]