Teenage Mutant Ninja Trout?

According to an article published by National Geographic in March, a team led by Terry Bradley from the University of Rhode Island's Department of Fisheries has created hundreds of genetically modified mutant rainbow trout possessing bulging six pack abs and shoulders. The team injected 20,000 trout with DNA from other species intended to suppress myostatin, a protein known to keep muscle growth in check in mammals. Apparently, based on the results from these experiments, it does the same for aquatic species. 

Despite the fact that fish possess no abdominal muscles, these mutant trout sport the appearance of a six pack along their midsection as well as a prominent hump on their back. Other genetically modified trout programs are also in the works intended to engineer trout for faster growth, disease resistance, and frigid-water survival (anti-freeze genes).

Though some genetically altered fish have been approved for release into the wild, never has such approval been given for trout with added DNA from other species. However, if met with regulatory approval, Bradley states the fish-gene modifications could mean cheaper trout for consumers, as farmers would be able to grow larger fish without having to feed them more. These fish provide 15-20 percent more flesh than the standard trout. See the photo to the right for a side by side comparison of a mutant trout and a normal trout.

But what happens if these fish escape into the wild? Can they reproduce with native trout? Will we all be left catching these monstrosities? Let's hope not. Let me know what you think.

Photography on this page from National Geographic

Courtesy Terry Bradley