BioluminescenceNow

AT

Medicine• Cancer

– Identification of the activity of a cancerous cell

• Alzheimer's– Typical activity in the brain

• Malaria– Easy identification of males

• Neurons– Clearly defined, single neurons, specific

Animals

• Many can be made to be bioluminescent– Cats– Rabbits– Worms– Fish– Mice– Pigs

Technology

• Golf Course– Night time golfing with bioluminescent grass

• Lighting in houses– Virtually heat-free– Less destructive to the environment

• Computer Chips and Muscle control– Restoring muscular control to sufferers of

spinal cord injuries

Problems

• Expensive

• Still being studied

• Unknown ecological effects of genetically different animals and bacteria if they escape confinement

• Some scientists think that pets are a waste of the sciences and do not want them out in the public’s grasp