Glow in the Dark Pet Fish Endanger Fish Stocks

B. McPherson

Does food as entertainment justify chancing the genetic pollution of our wild animals?


The commercial distribution of GMO fish as pets has biologists worried about wild fish stocks. A genetic engineering company, Yorktown Technologies, debuted a glow in the dark variant of the zebra fish as GloFish in 2003. The natural variety is a native of south east Asia and is not found in N. America. They originally were marketed as pets glowing green in the dark. Now they are available in five colours – Starfire Red, Electric Green, Sunburst Orange, Galactic Purple and Cosmic Blue. The GloFish are touted as the first genetically modified organism as a pet.

Recently GloFish has made available to the public, glowing green tetras for the home hobbyist . While the GM zebra fish are unable to survive in the wild in N. America, the tetras can. South Florida is particularly at risk for these creatures to establish themselves. S. America is also at risk.

The GM fish are banned in California over concern for the wild stocks of fish, but most of the US has allowed their distribution.

The bizarre fish are now being promoted as conversation starters for topping sushi.

The uncontrolled release of genetically altered organisms, whether animal or plant endangers the purity of our wild stocks. The uncontrolled distribution of genetically altered animals for the entertainment of bored people and financial gain of corporations borders on the criminal.

Food porn:  glow in the dark sushi

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