genetically enhanced fish

Here's a thought... would you by genetically modified fish that have no different external appearance, but have been modified to either
A) secretes an enzyme that breaks down ammonia, Nitrates, and/or nitrites
B) secretes an enzyme that attacks chlorophyll (no live plants, but no algae either)
C) secretes urea as pellets that do not dissolve in water instead of as a liquid.

These are a couple of GM mods that might be beneficial to hobbiests.
no, the effects if this was spread to the natural environment somehow would be comlpetely disastorous
 
no, the effects if this was spread to the natural environment somehow would be comlpetely disastorous

I believe you should rethink this answer. Think about all the fish available online and at stores. Think about all the plants available online and at stores. Think of our entire hobby. If you release those back into the wild in areas that they are not native, they could decimate native species (zebra muscles, kiobab deer, wild dogs, etc). There is really no real difference.
 
I stand by the answer, but should explain....

a) secretes an enzyme...amonnia etc will occur in nature to feed bacteria and is therefore necessary
b) attack chlorophyll...all river plants would die
c) pellets that dont dissolve...not bothered really.

So, I was replying specifically to the points in question for the reasons stated...
 
from a strict environmentalist, of course it is. we are taking creatures out of their habitat and keeping them in "fish bowls" for our own pleasure. But I think this standpoint is a little too harsh. So long as our tanks are not over crowded and are maintained properly, the fish live a great happy life and are actually safe from predators and other things that would kill them in the wild. Again, its all in the eye of the beholder.
 
I stand by the answer, but should explain....

a) secretes an enzyme...amonnia etc will occur in nature to feed bacteria and is therefore necessary
b) attack chlorophyll...all river plants would die
c) pellets that dont dissolve...not bothered really.

So, I was replying specifically to the points in question for the reasons stated...

Actually, I think C) pellets would be too much stress on the fish, since they would biologically have to pull the water out internally. Lizards and birds do it (secrete pure urea) to conserve water. They are pretty dry animals.

As for A), if a fish secretes enzymes like that, would they then even secrete ammonia then, or something else (like tri nitro toluene?)
 
Oh, I agree totally that these fish, if released into the wild would be a total nightmare. Of course, the same thing is happening with pet Boas released into the Everglades right now. Anytime you release something non-native, the results are almost always a BAD THING.

However, I was thinking of some things that all these genetics companies might consider to make a quick couple of bucks to support all their research. Some people would snap them up looking for a quick cure to their tank issues. Of course, those are the same people that would release them into the wild... sigh.

No, my thing is more of a marketing plan rather than a what's a good idea thing. Like Ian Malcolm said in Jurassic Park, "They were so busy trying to figure out if they could, they didn't think to figure out if they should."
 
while i find this entire debate wonderful and mind boggling...i still can't get the image of a glow-in-the-dark lizard out of my head...
 
i still can't get the image of a glow-in-the-dark lizard out of my head...

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