Ruby was an ewe lamb destined for research. Resulting from a research program of the National Institute of Agronomic Research (INRA), the animal saw its guinea pig life suddenly shortened in October 28, 2014. The lamb genetically modified with a jellyfish protein ended at the slaughterhouse, before ending up on the plate of an Ile-de-France. INRA has reported to the courts to have introduced the “lamb-jellyfish” into the food circuit. The agency specifies on its site that the sheep, although genetically modified, does not present any risk for the environment.
How did Rubis end up on a consumer’s plate? INRA points to “tensions and dysfunctions in the structure where the lamb was kept”, as well as “individual behavior incompatible with the missions falling under the public research service”. After the revelation of the facts, an internal administrative investigation was launched in December, followed by specific measures (suspension of all livestock sales, protective suspension of the agent having concealed the marketing, stopping of the experiments and destruction of all genetically modified materials on the site of the Unit concerned), explains the agency.
The author of this malicious act risks one year in prison and a fine of 75,000 euros, said the Parisian, Benoît Malpaux, director of the Inra site in Jouy-en-Josas (Yvelines). The case was transmitted to the public health pole of the Paris Tribunal de Grande Instance.
The jellyfish protein in question
The marketing of this “lamb-jellyfish” in a country which prohibits the marketing of genetically modified animals raises concern, after the sanitary scandals of mad cow and horse meat. Not to mention that this research program to which the lamb belonged is unknown to the general public. On its site, INRA explains that the objective of the experiment on sheep was to understand the “transplant of cells to restore a failing heart function after a heart attack”.
To do this, the researchers are counting on a protein called “GFP” (Green fluorescent protein), derived from a jellyfish, which makes the cells of the host animal fluorescent. But this jellyfish protein is benign for humans, says INRA. “This protein has no toxicity. It is commonly used in research protocols, in oncology or in the field of orphan diseases”. As for the Ruby lamb, it did not express this protein.
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