Peng Peng

Something happened in the world of science recently that brought us, suddenly, one step closer to something so breath-taking, so amazing, that it will change the way we perceive our athletes, our selves, and our very humanity.

It may, in fact, have brought us one step closer to the edge of humanity.

On March 26^th, 2012, in China, Peng Peng was born.

Peng Peng and the creators

Peng Peng is a sheep. Happy birthday Peng Peng, and here’s to many more!

“Big deal,” you say. “A sheep turned two.”

Peng Peng is a cloned sheep.

“Been done already, old news,” you say. Yes, we all remember Dolly. And  Scamper, the barrel racing gelding pony.

But this is bigger than that. Deeper.  Much more profound.

Peng Peng is also transgenic.

This sheep had been genetically manipulated by scientists working with BGI, the world’s largest genomics organization, to produce meat with increased unsaturated fatty acid content. To us, that means reduced risk of heart disease and increased support for the development of the brain, eye, and neurons.

According to scientists involved, people will gain the benefits associated with unsaturated fats by simply drinking milk and eating meat.

“I’m not worried about heart disease! Yet.” you say.

If you did say that, you need to step back and look at a much bigger picture. Forget the cloning part. Forget the fatty acids for a moment.

Focus on the key words – genetically manipulated.

Sure, there are people out there who would watch diet more closely, or clone themselves. Some individuals might wish to add slight genetic enhancements; but it’s still bigger than that. Scientists have already experimented with implanted genes in fish and animals, with some remarkable successes.

Have you not seen the muscular trout?

If you want to fight this transgenic trout, pack a lunch.

The marathon running lab rat named “Lance?” Or his training partner, “Hercules?” All transgenic.

Now step a little farther back.

Here’s the big picture, the difference maker in this research:  Dr. Yutao Du, Director of BGI Ark Biotechnology Co., LTD., said “The most difficult task has been accomplished, the transgenic sheep production platform is established, we are ready for the industrial-scale development.”

Here’s another thing: the sheep was born through a technique called “Hand-Made Cloning.” Every step was simplified as much as possible in this process. Bulky, expensive equipment? Gone. Laboratory environment? Compromised. Intentionally, to make it easier.

Industrial-scale development implies many things, not the least of which is compromised security.

In other words, genetic manipulation will be available widely much sooner than previously thought.

Dr. Du: “I expect more breakthroughs on transgenic and cloned animal research in the foreseeable future.”

Industrial scale development might be the way to go when such research involves food, but what of the industrial-scale security risks?

In an exercise I call “Follow the Money,” flashback to those East German Olympic teams of dubious gender. The “trainers” of those athletes fled over the Great Wall when the Berlin Wall was crumbled, taking their research notes with them. We would be naïve to believe those notes will not be shared with the highest bidders.

Athletes and agents have money in gobs to start the auction. So do many others.

No, cloning is not news. 

Genetic manipulation in industrial scale development?  That is breath-taking news.

What is amazing is that science learned from the trout that the implanted genes can be passed to the next generation.  Imagine!  A family tree could spring from one or two transgenic humans.

The next – and last – news is that the way we perceive our athletes, our selves, and our very humanity is soon to change.  We are that much closer to the edge of humanity as you and I will remember it.

All hand-made.