Fluorescent zebra fish were specially bred to help detect environmental pollutants. By adding a natural fluorescence gene to the fish, scientists can quickly and easily determine when our waterways are contaminated.
The first step was to create fish that would always be fluorescent. To achieve their goal, scientists are in the process of adding a 'switch' that will cause the always fluorescing zebra fish to selectively fluoresce in the presence of environmental toxins.
A non-fluorescing fish will signal that the water is safe.