"Spider goats"

[frogmarch]

A specific gene that codes for the silk protein that makes the very strong silk dragline that trails behind an orb-weaver spider is implanted into a female goat embryo. When mature, the goat produces milk containing one extra protein - the spider silk protein. The fat from the milk is filtered out, and from the purified protein comes actual silk fiber. Amazing! It’s used in the medical field for ligament repair and other procedures.

I dislike the "Playing God" title, but I think it's a good video.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

1. When I first started reading the article

I thought they'd developed a goat that spins webs.


Eek.

[frogmarch]

2. That will be next. :-)

There's much more in the video besides the part about spider goats. The overall focus is synthetic biology. I think it's fascinating.

[AlecBGreen]

3. they sure can CLIMB like spiders

check out this dam picture (hehehe)

[frogmarch]

4. yeeks! Are those photos for real?

[WillParkinson]

5. If they are...

Those are some baaaaaaaa-d ass goats.

[frogmarch]

6. For sure! :-D

[Posteritatis]

9. Yep. Some species of goat consider physics a suggestion. (nt)

[frogmarch]

10. haha! Good one!

And true, so it would seem.

[Posteritatis]

11. Seriously though, they are real pictures - mountain goats are kinda amazing. (nt)

[d_r]

7. Dam!

[NBachers]

8. Plus, they all look like they're really enjoying themselves