Nude Mice and Naked Chickens

There's a difference between a genetically modified organism (GMO) and a selectively bred animal. Selective breeding involves grabbing a boy animal and a girl animal, a comfy nest or bedding material, low lights and lots of Barry White. -This is the "traditional" method.

GMO organisms involve the manipulation of specific genes in a lab (under ultra sterile conditions), lots of petri dishes, and the ambiance akin to a dentist's office with a running drill. In both cases, the organisms come out with (hopefully) traits that we want.

Take the featherless chicken, which was created purely from selective breeding. This "greener" chicken produces no feathers to clog up landfills and pollute the environment like a typical chicken would. There's a lot of opposition towards its existence even though, in the traditional sense, these chickens are no more Frankensteinish than your pure bred German Shepherd. It's hideous looking, as you can see, and more susceptible to sunburns, parasites and other things.

Another selectively bred animal is the nude mouse. Bred since 1937 (before GMO technology), this mouse has no immune system. Because of that, nude mice have helped studies such as leukemia, cancer, organ transplantation and many, many others. From the picture, you can probably surmise why the nude mouse got it's name.

Seriously though....

...aren't all mice nude?