Glowing in the Dark: Rare Pictures of Genetically Engineered Fluorescent Animals (PHOTOS)

The last decade saw an upcoming market segment – the world's first “glow-in-the dark pet” market.

Ruppies were the world's first transgenic dog which carries fluorescent genes.

Genetic engineers took a fluorescent protein, much like that produced by some sea anemones, and inserted it into the cell of a beagle. The offsprings of such dogs possess the same fluorescent gene as their mothers.

The name "Ruppy" is a combination of the words "Ruby" and "Puppy".

Then the transgenic fluorescent green pigs got underway in Taiwan, which is also the home to the world's first transgenic glowing fish.

In 2006, a research team at National Taiwan University successfully bred three male transgenic pigs by injecting fluorescent green protein into embryonic pigs that they hoped would boost the island's stem cell research.

In January 2008, a fluorescent green pig in China gave birth to two piglets which shared their mother's transgenic characteristic after she mated with an ordinary pig.

Below are some of the most rare and spectacular pictures of the genetically modified glowing animals.

Photo: REUTERS/Nicky Loh

A genetically engineered Convict Cichlids (Amatitlania Nigrofasciata) glows inside a water tank while being displayed at the 2010 Taiwan International Aqua Expo in Taipei October 29, 2010.

Photo: REUTERS/Jo Yong hak

A combination photo shows the foot of a cloned fluorescent puppy, a three-month-old beagle, glowing in the dark under ultra-violet light (L) and under normal lighting at Seoul National University's College of Veterinary Medicine in Seoul May 13, 2009.

Photo: REUTERS/Richard Chung

A handout photo shows transgenic fluorescent green pigs glowing in dark (L) and walking with normal pigs in Taipei January 13, 2006. in Taipei January 13, 2006.

Photo: REUTERS/Simon Kwong

A few genetically modified Medaka fish glow in the dark as they swim in a fishtank in Taipei September 6, 2001.

Photo: REUTERS/Nicky Loh

Genetically engineered Archocentrus Nigrofasciatus Var fish glow in a tank under a blacklight while being displayed at the 2010 Taiwan International Aqua Expo in Taipei October 29, 2010.

Photo: REUTERS/Nicky Loh

Genetically engineered Angelfish (Pterophyllum Scalare) glow in a tank under a black light while being displayed at the 2010 Taiwan International Aqua Expo in Taipei October 29, 2010.

Photo: REUTERS/Nicky Loh

Genetically engineered Angelfish (Pterophyllum Scalare) glow in a tank under a black light while being displayed at the 2010 Taiwan International Aqua Expo in Taipei October 29, 2010.

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