- How did you get
NeonMice™ to glow?
- Do NeonMice™ glow in the dark?
- Are these mice dangerous or an
environmental concern?
- Do you have to insert Fluorescent
genes into each mouse?
- Are NeonMice™ as healthy as normal mice?
- What are other examples of genetically
modified pets?
- Can I choose the sex of your NeonMice™?
- How are the the mice useful for
science?
- What is the best light to use as a display for my
NeonMice™?
- Why are NeonMice™ only available in the USA?
- Are NeonMice™ safe to use as feeders?
- Are NeonMice™ ethical pets to have?
- Who should I contact for wholesale purchasing?
- How do I care for my
NeonMice™?
- What
different types of NeonMice™ are available?
- Are you considering
making other animals glow?
- Why can't they actually glow in the dark?
- How are NeonMice™
shipped?
- Are NeonMice™
harmed or experimented on in any way?
The mice are produced in a laboratory by inserting
fluorescent genes into the mice. The genes were originally
extracted from jellyfish and reef coral, which naturally glow.
The mice are genetically modified so they will glow for their
entire lifespan, however their fur is the only part of their body that does
not glow. Thus, we have hairless varieties of NeonMice™ as well.
No they do not Glow In The Dark, but they are Fluorescent.
This means that they glow very brightly under UV or blue light.
Since normal fluorescent and incandescent bulbs give off blue
spectrum, they will also glow to some degree under these 'normal'
lights. You can see the different appearance of our mice under
various lights in the 'photo gallery'
section.
NeonMice™ are neither dangerous, nor an environmental concern.
They are not radioactive and act the same as any normal mouse
available at any pet store. NeonMice™, as with all mice, may
bite if mishandled or physically abused; however this poses no more
risk than getting bit by a normal mouse.
All NeonMice™ available commercially are sterile, and thus have no
ability to reproduce. This ensures there will be no mixing of NeonMice™ genetics with normal wild mice. If our mice were released into
the wild, and we must insist that you do not, they will have no
advantage over normal mice. On the contrary, due to their
glowing bodies, they will be prime targets for natural predators.
Since NeonMice™ are virtually the same physically as normal mice, the
ingestion of the mice by other animals will have no deleterious
effect whatsoever.
No, the Fluorescent gene is genetically inherited, so there is
no need to reinsert the genes for each one of our NeonMice™.
All of the NeonMice™ available commercially are both male and
sterile. This ensures the Fluorescent genes are not passed
on outside of our breeding facility.
Are NeonMice™ As Healthy As Normal Mice?
Yes, they are just as healthy as any normal mouse. We take
special care to mix new genetics into our breeding stock (mixed
alleles) to ensure NeonMice™ have as healthy and disease free
lifespan as possible.
The most common commercially available GM pet are Glofish™, which
are found throughout the U.S. in fish stores. Since the
inception of GloFish™ over 7 years ago, they have become one of the
best selling fish in the industry. As with Glofish™, the
breeding of NeonMice™ by individuals or pet shops is strictly
prohibited.
(GloFish.com)
All NeonMice™ available commercially are both male and sterile.
Since we feel it is important to ensure the Fluorescent genes do
not leave our breeding facility/laboratory, we neuter all NeonMice™.
Neutering a male mouse is much easier and less of a health risk than
spaying a female mouse, thus we only sell male NeonMice™. This
is also beneficial for the consumer as neutered mice have less odor,
are less aggressive, and may live longer.
How Are NeonMice™ Useful For Science?
Fluorescent laboratory mice, similar to NeonMice™, are used
around the world to help cure human diseases. The fluorescence
in their organs allows scientists to uncover all sorts of functions,
often without having to hurt the mouse. This results in more
effective experiments, and has led to many breakthroughs in the
medical industry. Just think, if you know anyone that has
checked into a hospital for cancer, tumors, or any other disease;
their life may be saved thanks to scientists and glowing mice!
What Is The Best Light To Use As A Display For My NeonMice™?
NeonMice™ are viewed best with a blue light during the day; however fluorescent,
incandescent, and LED light work extremely well for daytime viewing.
At night we recommend using a black light or actinic light for best
results. As with all mice we suggest a 12 hour of light and 12
hour of darkness to give your NeonMice™ an adequate resting
photoperiod.
Why Are NeonMice™ Only Available In
The USA?
Some countries such as Canada, Europe, & Australia have strict
regulations on genetically modified animals. The permits and
laws in these countries are a hurdle we do not wish to overcome
currently. Although based on the success of NeonMice™ in the
US, we may expand to other countries worldwide. If you are a
wholesaler with genuine interest please feel free to contact us.
Although NeonMice™ are both cost prohibitive to use as feeders,
and sterile which makes them ideal pets, we have had received
questions about their use as feeders. NeonMice™ are 100% safe
to ingest by any animal since they have the same nutritional value
as a normal mouse. The fluorescent protein in their skin is
broken down as it is digested, just as with normal tissue. If
your animal eats a GloMouse™ it will NOT glow, nor will it give your
pet special powers. It will however waste a neutered,
expensive, and beautiful mouse that would make a much nicer pet than
food. NeonMice™ are NOT to be ingested or in any way consumed
by HUMANS!
Virtually all existing pets have been the subject to extreme
genetic breeding for modified traits. Over 150 breeds of dog
were selectively chosen for specific traits that do not occur for an
'advantage' in the wild. Although NeonMice™ are genetically
modified in a laboratory, like dogs and cats, are still the
subject of 'unnatural' genetic traits. Although ethics are a
personal questions each person must find within themselves, we feel
that scientifically and morally NeonMice™ are not only safe, but also
wonderfully ethical pets.
You may contact us direct at
sales@NeonMice™.com or 888.PET.GLOW and we will forward you our
distribution data..
Go to our CARE page to learn about the
ideal conditions and diet for your NeonMice™.
Currently our main focus is expanding our Emerald Green and Ruby
Red NeonMice™ lines. We are also working on blue and yellow
NeonMice™, which we intend to call Sapphire Blue and Yellow Quartz.
These mice will be covered in white or black body hair.
Our 'Gremlin' line of NeonMice™ will be completely
hairless green, red, blue, and yellow animals. The hairless
characteristic allows for the mice to better glow under UV light
conditions. This is due to the hair lacking Fluorescent
(glowing) pigment.
Yes, we may work other animals in the future.
In order to make an animal truly glow in the dark it usually
involves multiple mechanisms interacting at more than just the
genetic level. A firefly for example has the genetic encoding
to produce an enzyme compound called Luciferase, which interacts in
their abdomen with a chemical called Luciferin. It is not
difficult to genetically encode a mouse's body to produce the enzyme
Luciferase, but currently there is no way to have the mouse create
the chemical Luciferin. However, Luciferin can be added
through injections or through an inhalant, which can make organs
such as the lungs glow in the dark. This makes for great
scientific applications, but isn't practical as a glow in the dark
novelty pet.
Although we can ship NeonMice directly to your home, we always
recommend you buy them from your local pet store if possible.
They are more expensive online due to the shipping costs, and the
transportation of the animals can be stressful. However, if
NeonMice are not available in your local area you can order online
and they will be shipped in a special rodent shipping container
right through your door. The website shopping cart lists UPS
and FEDEX as shipping options, however depending on your area and
the time of year we may ship via a different carrier. There
may also be shipping limitations depending on the weather.
No, they are not harmed in any way. The genes that cause
NeonMice™ to glow come from the genetics
of their parents. They are not injected with dye or harmed in
any way in order to glow. They are also not experimented on or
laboratory surplus. To the contrary, they are treated
and cared for to a degree far above normal mouse breeding
facilities. They are bred and raised to be pets in loving
homes.
|
