Researchers have come up with a blue strawberry by splicing them with Fish genes! – Scientists are genetically modifying strawberries in order to let them resist freezing temperatures better. They are doing it by artificial transfer of genes from a species of fish called the Arctic Flounder Fish.
The Arctic Flounder Fish produces an anti-freeze that permits it to protect itself in freezing waters. They isolated the gene that creates this anti-freeze and introduced it to the strawberry. The result is a strawberry that looks blue and doesn’t turn to mush or degrade after being placed in the freezer. Although they are not in production, research is ongoing.
The question is how did scientists make it blue and why, aside from the cool factor? When researchers discovered the Arctic Flounder Fish produces antifreeze to protect itself in frigid water, they were surprised what’d happen if they introduced the gene that produces the antifreeze into a strawberry plant.
They didn’t set out to make it blue, it just happened that way. Something else happened, too. They’ve discovered the blue strawberry plant can withstand freezing temperatures. This is an important discovery meaning it won’t turn to mush when placed in the freezer. This gives the idea that strawberries could be stored longer, increasing their shelf life.
We can imagine that it looks breathtaking, that atomic blue color is quite a novelty and is exceptionally attractive. But at the same time, would you feel safe eating it? Let us know in the comments, would you like to eat blue strawberries?
