This handout photo released in Seoul by the Ministry of Science and Technology shows a combo of cloned cats that have a fluorescence protein gene and glowing under ultraviolet beams. (Xinhua/AFP Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

This handout photo released in Seoul by the Ministry of Science and Technology shows a combo of cloned cats that have a fluorescence protein gene and glowing under ultraviolet beams. (Xinhua/AFP Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    BEIJING, Dec. 13 (Xinhuanet) -- South Korean scientists on Wednesday showed off three genetically modified cats, which glow in the dark when exposed to ultraviolet beams, media reported.

    A team of scientists led by Kong Il-keun at Gyeongsang National University cloned the cats after manipulating a fluorescent protein gene to change their skin colour, the Ministry of Science and Technology said.

    "It marked the first time in the world that cats with RFP genes have been cloned," the ministry said in a statement.

    "The ability to produce cloned cats with the manipulated genes is significant as it could be used for developing treatments for genetic diseases and for reproducing model (cloned) animals suffering from the same diseases as humans," it added.

    The cats were born in January and February. One was stillborn while two others grew to become adult Turkish Angoras, weighing 3.0 kilograms and 3.5 kilograms.

    The researchers said their work could help unravel mysteries of some 250 genetic diseases suffered by both humans and cats. The findings also could be used to clone endangered tigers, leopards and other animals.

    Scientists have concocted cloned and transgenic animals for years, although debates about the ethics and safety of the practice continue to rage.

    California officials in 2004 banned the sale of GloFish, the world's first transgenic pet. British scientists injected jellyfish genes into chickens and pigs to make them glow several years ago. Last year, scientists in Taiwan said they also spawned glow-in-the-dark pigs.

    (Agencies)