But the project is rather frivolous. Kac pointed out, accurately, that breeders have been manipulating rabbit genes for centuries. The amazing variety of rabbits displayed each summer at county fairs are a testament to the ability of old-fashioned breeders to create creatures not found in nature. This is even more obvious with more traditional pets, especially cats and dogs. Afghans, Airedales and Akitas all descend from common ancestors that looked nothing like them.
Most folks have some sort of opinion about genetic engineering.
Personally, I think it's the greatest medical advance since Pasteur discovered that germs cause disease. Most of the publicity on gene splicing focuses on efforts to cure disease or improve agriculture, but Alba the jellyrabbit demonstrates that certain types of people will insist on using it for less noble means. Kac feels that Alba is a work of art, and I suspect that breeders of exotics pets feel the same way about their odd-looking creations. I, however, question the artistic taste of someone who would use genetic manipulation to create an odd-looking animal instead of trying to make it healthier and happier. The jellyrabbit demonstrates something important, something not generally recognized by the public.