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Glofish, the Genetically Modified Pet

Glofish have been in our pet stores and homes for more
than ten years. These florescent fish are a trademarked
organism that has been genetically modified by introducing
glowing genes from coral into a zebrafish. This is the first
genetically modified organism sold as a pet in United States.
The actual development of this glowing zebrafish occurred
as part of a much larger research project. In 1999, Dr.
Zhiyuan Gong and his colleagues, at the National University
of Singapore, took a gene that produces the green
florescent protein (the gene responsible for making jellyfish
fluoresce) and placed it in a zebrafish embryo. The
genetically modified zebrafish glowed green and was able to
pass the glowing gene to its young. The culminating goal of
Dr. Zhiyuans research project is to develop a fish that will
fluoresce only when it is in the presences of pollutants.


How is a Glofish made?


How did Yorktown Technologies get the Glofish approved?

The approval of the Glofish by the FDA on December 9, 2003 was due to Yorktown Technologies careful
work and research to address possible concerns about their product. It had to provide documentation to the
FDA to show that the genetically modified Glofish would not have a negative impact on the environment or
on public health. Yorktown Technologies conducted risk analysis and safety assessment of fluorescent
protein to verify that they would be safe. These assessments were conducted by several scientists and each
document is posted on their website ( However,
approval in California is pending a formal review of the Glofishs impact on the environment. The CEO of
Yorktown Technologies, Alan Blake, asserts that the cost of this formal review would not be feasible and
suggests that residents of California should talk to their state representatives if they want Glofish available
in their state. Listen to the Pet Life Radio podcast interview of Alan Blake in 2009.
What are some other applications for glowing zebrafish?
The video Fishing for Answers highlights the work of Dr. Len Zon, a researcher at Harvard Medical School and
practicing oncologist at the Childrens Hospital in Boston.

The Science of Glofish: (from the companys webpage)
Glofish and the Environment: (from the companys webpage)
FDA Statement Regarding Glofish
California Band on Glofish: (from the companys webpage)

Recombinant DNA Technology and Transgenic Animals

By: Leslie Pray, Ph.D. 2008 Nature Education
Citation: Pray, L. (2008) Recombinant DNA technology and transgenic animals. Nature Education 1(1):51