I find this video to be disturbing. Are these clowns trying to get people used to the idea of eating fluorescent, glow-in-the-dark, genetically-modified foods?
The GloFish® is a patented and trademarked brand of genetically modified (GM) fluorescent zebrafish sold by Yorktown Technologies. Although not originally developed for the ornamental fish trade, it is one of the first genetically modified animals to become publicly available as a pet. Although not originally developed for use in sushi, it is one of the first genetically modified animals to become publicly available as meat.
If you want your food to glow in the dark, don't cook it! Proteins like GFP will become denatured. However, you can freeze GloFish® and they will not be denatured. Frozen and raw GloFish® will still fluoresce, and therefore make a visually exciting addition to experimental sushi recipes.
NOTE: be careful, vinegar can also denature proteins. In order to safely prepare GloFish® you may want to freeze them to kill bacteria and parasites. You will also need to inquire about what chemicals (antibiotics and such) the fish have been exposed to prior to purchase.
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Stop and Glow Nigirizushi
1. Andrew Cubitt (formerly at Anaptys BioSciences Inc. now at Global Patent Group ) on Toxicity of Fluorescent Proteins [undated] (.pdf)
In this letter to Alan Blake, Andrew Cubitt, Ph.d, analyzes and comments on the the toxicity of fluorescent proteins that are commonly used in transgenic organisms. He goes on to do a literature review and reports that:
- Fluorescent proteins have been widely used without apparent toxic effects.
- Fluorescent proteins are already present in the food chain.
- Fluorescent proteins do not appear to share significant homology to known allergens.
- Fluorescent proteins would be predicted to act like other proteins and undergo rapid digestion in the gut.
- ???? (missing).
- CONCLUSION: “It is concluded that there is no basis for believing that fluorescent protein expression in transgenic fish would represent a toxological risk, to either the environment or consumers, if the fish should enter the ecosystem.”
Kryptonite Roll
If YOU get bored, you can also make the
Kryptonite roll any of these four colours!
DISCLAIMER
This website is intended to be educational and entertaining.
The authors take no responsibility for any actions you take.
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http://www.treehugger.com/green-food/glowing-sushi-glow-in-dark-fish.html
"Not In California" Rolls
Available only in the US (but banned in California due to fears of it contaminating wild fish stocks) the GloFish comes in colours like Starfire Red, Electric Green, and Sunburst Orange and Galactic Purple.
Now, the Center's dedicated website at GlowingSushi.com offers videos demonstrating how you can make some transgenic sushi yourself, "[using] everyday ingredients and some simple kitchen chemistry to explore cutting edge biotechnology." In the least, it's definitely guaranteed to stir up conversation at a dinner party.
© GlowingSushi.com
Coming with names like Kryptonite rolls, Stop and Glow nigirizushi and ‘Not in California’ rolls (due to the ban), these strange concoctions will light up under aquarium-type actinic lights or UV blacklights. In order to stay aglow, the fish must be raw, rather than cooked.
Is Glow-in-the-Dark Sushi Safe to Eat?
The studies quoted by GlowingSushi.com seem to say yes, but the Advanced Aquarist cautions that the fish should be frozen properly for 48 hours prior to consumption to kill any parasites or bacteria, like all sushi-grade fish. People should also check into the living conditions of any GloFish purchased from a pet store, as antibiotics or malachite green might have been used during cultivation.
Though the glowing factor distinguishes this sushi from the rest, it seems that this bizarre sushi would be best kept as an experimental project rather than a widespread culinary trend. More over at Glowing Sushi.