Shane+M.

= = =Genetically Modified Miniature Pigs=

A Chinese biotech firm BGI successfully genetically engineered Bama pigs to not grow up to their full size of 40 kilograms. BGI's modified pigs will only grow to be about 17 kilograms fully grown. The pigs, originally designed to help research human ailments will soon be sold for $2109 (canadian) as household pets like dogs. these pigs unlike other small pig breeds are designed to stay small. BGI says in the future they will also, let you chooses the colors and patterns the pig's fur will be through gene editing.

At first Beijing Genomics Institute stunt the growth of the pigs to study human stomach bacteria and medicine. This is because pigs physocology is similar to humans physocology. They can additionally, be used for stem cell research. Also, the smaller pigs makes studying pig's in labs easier and cheaper, because they are smaller, faster breeding, eat less and poop less. They modified the pigs DNA by cutting out the code that determined how big the pig is supposed to grows. This was done by using TALEN's (Transcription activator-like effector nuclease) a gene editing enzyme that are artificial restriction enzymes (enzymes that cut DNA at a certain location) made by putting together a TAL effector DNA-binding domain to a DNA cleavage domain. The cloned pigs are then bred with non cloned Bamas females to prevent health problems from cloning.



Micro pig's as pets as BGI was going to sell them as to help fund research can be an issue because gene editing can affect the life and well-being of the pigs and animals. The pigs for example, could suffer from painful disabilities like purebred dogs, like the pug which can have breathing difficulties due to their flat faces. Also, pig naturally need to dig in dirt and without it can become destructive and unhappy. Also, many non-modified pet pigs have already been abandoned because they grew too large.



Video:
media type="youtube" key="ZkiMdK6xY90" width="858" height="488" This video is a brief summary of what is happening with micro pigs.

References:
http://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/1600-you-can-own-genetically-altered-micropig-180956811/?no-ist

http://www.smh.com.au/technology/sci-tech/tiny-genetically-modified-micropigs-from-china-could-be-boon-for-science-and-pet-sellers-20151018-gkcbkm.html

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/micropigs-teacup-pig-genetically-engineered-china-bgi-a6700411.html

http://www.businessinsider.com/chinese-genetically-engineered-mini-pigs-2015-9

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-10-08/dna-edited-micro-pigs-hit-the-market/6835494

Further Reading:
Link to a web page about the CRISPR/Cas9 not used to make micro pigs but another method of modifying DNA. https://www.neb.com/tools-and-resources/feature-articles/crispr-cas9-and-targeted-genome-editing-a-new-era-in-molecular-biology

If you want to read more on pigs. http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/animals/pig/#pig-fence.jpg

Website about other animals that make good domestic pets like cats. http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/domestic-cat/

Website about GMO's genetically modified organisms manly food. http://www.davidsuzuki.org/what-you-can-do/queen-of-green/faqs/food/understanding-gmo/


 * Date: 23 october 2015**
 * Posting number:1**

=Evolution of Domesticated Cats From Wild Cats=

The domestic cat is the most popular household pet in the united states with more than 90 million cats living in houses today. The Domestic cat or //Felis catus domestic// grow to be about 46 centimeters long and weight about 3.3 kilograms to 4.6 kilograms. They also, live on average of 10-15 years. The house hold cat evolved from the wild cat or //Felis sylvestris// that was around 70 000 to 100 000 years ago in the middle east. The //Felis catus// and the //Felis sylvestris// are similar but their are many differences.

Around 10 000 years ago when humans began to settle down in the middle east the //Felis sylvestris// started hanging around and hunting the mice around the humans (Homo sapiens) crops. Over time the cats that were around humans started to get friendlier then the other //Felis sylvestris.//





The //Felis sylvestris// got mutations on the genes that bring out aggressive behavior, form memories and control the ability to learn from reward based stimuli and mated with other cats with similar traits and slowly became different from the non friendly cats that don't live with people. Today the //Felis Catus// has a smaller brain then the wild ancestor. Also, wild cats are hyper carnivores meaning that they only eat meat and don't get nutrition from vegetables however the domestic house cat evolved from eating scrap to get nutrition from some plants, and beacuse of this house cats have a slightly larger large intestine and a higher metabolism.

The appearance of the cats also, changed over time like curly tails and floppy ears and coat color. The coat color for example changed for different reasons. All black cats first happened in Egypt and was a genetic error 4 000 years age and stayed. But, the orange coat color was selected for by the viking, because they liked orange cats.

media type="youtube" key="RW4Pg2cTdF0" width="631" height="359" align="center"

This video shows how cats and other animals evolve over time.

=Reference:=

http://www.wired.com/2014/11/genes-cat-domestication/

http://news.softpedia.com/news/The-Origin-of-the-Domestic-Cat-Revealed-by-DNA-58638.shtml

http://www.sms.si.edu/irlspec/Felis_catus.htm

http://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/a-brief-history-of-house-cats-158390681/?no-ist

http://www.iflscience.com/plants-and-animals/genome-comparison-shows-how-wildcats-became-housecats

http://www.cbc.ca/natureofthings/episodes/the-lion-in-your-living-room

https://answersingenesis.org/mammals/how-domestic-cats-differ-from-wildcats-and-other-carnivores/

=Further Reading:= A link to a documentary about cats. http://www.cbc.ca/natureofthings/episodes/the-lion-in-your-living-room

A link to how dogs got domesticated. http://www.the-scientist.com/?articles.view/articleNo/38279/title/Origin-of-Domestic-Dogs/

If you want to learn more on cat behavior check to link below. http://cats.about.com/od/behaviortraining/qt/catbehavior101.htm

List of cat breads. http://www.animalplanet.com/pets/cat-breed-photo-gallery/

Posting number: 2
=//Toxoplasma gondii//=

//Toxoplasma gondii// is a single celled parasite that can affect the brain of any warm blooded ani mal including humans, but is only know to reproduce in cats. // T. gondii // is a protozoan and is related to the single celled organism the paramecium. The parasite causes the disease toxoplasmosis which affects about one third of the people on the planet and most of them don't even know it. the parasite is also, more common in warmer climate on the planet. The parasite can be ingested or through the air.



=In Mice and Rats=

//Toxoplasma gondii// enters mice and rats when they dig in infected soil. Once inside the parasite infects the rodents brain and cause the animal to be less afraid of cats and the even become attracted the scent of cats. Also, they become less shy and timid. This would cause the mouse or rat to become an easier target for cats the catch. Additionally, even when the infection is no longer detectable in the body of the rodents, the effects the parasite had stayed.

media type="youtube" key="XQ4Y27RQaZk" width="560" height="315" align="center"

This video shows how the rats fear of cats was no longer present, and the the rats would even attack the cats. making them an easier target.

=In Cats=

If the parasite gets inside cats who are the definitive host, it will reproduce in the cats intestines and then be pooped out. Symptoms of the parasite in cats are vomiting, loss of appetite and diarrhea. Cats will also, build immunity for the parasite over a period if time. Dogs and other mammals from pigs to otters can get the parasite but it can't reproduce inside them.



=In humans= Humans can get the parasite by eating contaminated uncooked meat, drinking contaminated water or coming in contact with contaminated cat poop or soil. Once to parasite is in side it cant affect anyone else, unless the individual just got the parasite and is pregnant.

Most people with a good immune system won't even now the have to disease, but young kids, seniors and people with a bad immune system could experience a verity of symptoms. The symptoms are flu like feeling, brain damage, eye damage and liking the smell of cats pee. Also, //Toxoplasum gondii// has been linked to schizophrenia and other mental illnesses bipoloar disorder. Additionally, the parasite causes men to be more rule breaking and less intelligent, and women to be more rule following and more intelligent. As well, people with toxoplasmosis have a slower reaction time and statistile get in more car accidents.

=References:=

http://www.cdc.gov/parasites/glossary.html#protozoa

http://www.petmd.com/cat/conditions/infectious-parasitic/c_ct_toxoplasmosis

http://www.cbc.ca/natureofthings/episodes/invasion-of-the-body-snatchers

http://www.medicaldaily.com/toxoplasma-gondii-parasite-cat-feces-linked-schizophrenia-and-other-mental-illness-337030

http://www.cdc.gov/parasites/toxoplasmosis/gen_info/faqs.html

http://www.nature.com/news/parasite-makes-mice-lose-fear-of-cats-permanently-1.13777

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XQ4Y27RQaZk

=Further Reading:=

Information on different mind control parasites. http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2014/10/141031-zombies-parasites-animals-science-halloween/

A link to a list of diseases in humans. http://www.cdc.gov/DiseasesConditions/az/a.html

A video on parasites similar to //Toxoplasum gondii.// http://www.cbc.ca/natureofthings/episodes/invasion-of-the-body-snatchers

A link to information on chimpanzees. http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2014/07/140710-intelligence-chimpanzees-evolution-cognition-social-behavior-genetics/