Post date: Feb 05, 2012 1:23:32 PM
CCTV BEIJING - Chinese scientists have successfully cloned pigs with fluorescent protein and leptin gene in southwest China's Yunnan Province.
Ten genetically modified piglets whose feet glow green in darkness have been born in the lab of the Yunnan Agricultural University.
A team of scientists led by Professor Wei Hongjiang successfully cloned the pigs after inserting the jellyfish's fluorescent protein gene and leptin gene to the pig's germ cells.
"This is the first time we've successfully cloned the pigs with the leptin gene and the fluorescent protein gene. How effective the leptin gene is in controlling fat can be seen half a year later," said Wei Hongjiang, professor from faculty of animal science and technology, Yunnan Agricultural University.
The leptin gene technology can help find out a cure for obesity, according to Wei.
"This technology is to build the animal model for human diseases such as the Alzheimer's, tumor and diabetes. We could find out the cause of these diseases and develop new medicines," said Wei.
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