Ocean pout
| Ocean pout | |
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| Ocean pout at the New England Aquarium | |
| Scientific classification | |
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| Species: | Z. americanus
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| Binomial name | |
| Zoarces americanus | |
The ocean pout (Zoarces americanus) is an eelpout in the family Zoarcidae. It is found in the Northwest Atlantic Ocean, off the coast of New England and eastern Canada. The fish has antifreeze proteins in its blood, giving it the ability to survive in near-freezing waters.
Scientists have done studies wherein genes are taken from the ocean pout and implanted into salmon in an attempt to make the latter grow faster.[1][2] These genes transfer the ocean pout's tolerance for extremely cold waters to the salmon, allowing it to grow year-round. The promoter for the antifreeze protein gene is also used in conjunction with the growth hormone taken from a chinook salmon, which leads to a higher concentration of the growth hormone in the blood; causing the genetically modified salmon to grow much more rapidly than it would naturally. Controversy has arisen, as some view the altered fish as a potential threat to wild salmon stocks if it escapes or is ever released into the wild.[3] Chefs and grocers in numerous US states have agreed not to sell the new fish over these concerns, citing concerns over its safety for human consumption.[4]
In June 2006 the Unilever company announced that it would use genetically modified yeast to grow antifreeze proteins based on a gene from the ocean pout, and use it to improve the consistency and storage properties of its ice cream brands.[5]
Notes
References
Gorman, James (22 September 2002). "Dumb and Dumber: Here's a Fish Story With Legs". The New York Times. Retrieved 20 November 2007. {{cite news}}: Invalid |ref=harv (help)
Burke, Monte (19 February 2001). "Cannery Roe". Forbes.com. Retrieved 20 November 2007. {{cite news}}: Invalid |ref=harv (help)
Somers, Terri (14 March 2004). "Fast-growing genetically engineered salmon raise the specter of environmental calamity". Union-Tribune Publishing Co. Retrieved 20 November 2007. {{cite news}}: Invalid |ref=harv (help)
Burros, Marian (18 September 2002). "Chefs Join Campaign Against Altered Fish". The New York Times. Retrieved 20 November 2007. {{cite news}}: Invalid |ref=harv (help)
Moskin, Julia (26 July 2006). "Can a bit of Arctic pep up ice cream?". The New York Times. Retrieved 23 February 2013. {{cite news}}: Invalid |ref=harv (help)
External links
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