Five people, including the owner of a medaka store, were arrested by the Metropolitan Police Department for illegally breeding and selling genetically modified medaka.
More than 10 years ago, medaka eggs were leaked from a university research facility, and it seems that they were traded among hobbyists.
A total of five people were arrested, including Tomio Masuda (67), the owner of a medaka store in Kasukabe City, Saitama Prefecture.
Five people are suspected of illegally breeding and selling genetically modified medaka at home etc. from last year to last year.
Transactions of genetically modified organisms are regulated by a law called "Cartagena Law" to prevent adverse effects on biodiversity and the environment.
According to the Metropolitan Police Department, the medaka that was traded was genetically modified for research at a university facility, and has the characteristic of emitting red fluorescence when exposed to ultraviolet rays.
From 2009 to the following year, it seems that a graduate student at the time took out about 30 eggs, which spread among enthusiasts and were repeatedly sold.
This medaka was spread to about 50 people, including the five who were arrested, so about 1,400 were seized in this investigation.
All five have admitted to the charges, saying, ``I sold it because it was a beautiful medaka that I had never seen before.''
It is said that no adverse effects on ecosystems have been confirmed so far, but the Metropolitan Police Department and others are calling for attention.