Genetically-Modified Six-Pack Abs Via Rainbow Trout?

Scientists at the University of Rhode Island have been working, for over ten years, on increasing the musculature of rainbow trout by hindering the protein, myostatin, which slows muscle development.

Their results have yielded fish with up to a 20% increased development of muscle.

Bradley and a team of graduate students spent 500 hours injecting 20,000 rainbow trout eggs with various DNA types designed to inhibit myostatin. Of the eggs that hatched, 300 carried the gene that led to increased muscle growth. After two years, most exhibited a “six-pack ab” effect, even though fish lack standard abdominal muscles. They also have increased musculature throughout, including a prominent dorsal hump that made them look like they had muscular shoulders.

Future research in regard to muscular degenerative diseases in humans may be promising, but sadly, at this point, "Schwartzenegger-at-his-peak" transformations for humans seems still distant.

URI scientist’s development of more muscular trout could boost commercial aquaculture

[edit on 3/25/2010 by Hadrian]

[edit on 3/25/2010 by Hadrian]

Actually this "technology" is kinda old news.

By switching off one or both of the genes that limit muscle growth, scientists have bred bulls and mice with UNBELIEVABLE muscle size, density and very low bodyfat ratios.

These genes produce myostatin to keep muscle growth in check (a liability from an efficiency point of view) but the side effects are unknown at this stage.

G.M. will, and probably is, the next step in performance enhancing techniques. I hear the pro bodybuilders are already on to this.

BY the way, a couple of years ago, a baby was born in Germany with both genes inactive. This is the first recorded case and this child is being monitored to see just what will happen. The parents are unnamed to the public but both are professional athletes.