Fluorescent pigs raise human transplant hopes

A pig whose genes were altered to make it glow fluorescent green has passed on the trait to its piglets, a Chinese university reported today.

The development could lead to the future breeding of pigs for human transplant organs.

Two of the 11 piglets born this month glow fluorescent green from their ears, nose and trotters, according to Northeast Agricultural University, located in the city of Harbin.

Their mother was one of three pigs born with the trait in December 2006 after pig embryos were injected with fluorescent green protein.

“Continued development of this technology can be applied to... the production of special pigs for the production of human organs for transplant,” the report said.