Introduction
The application of electrostatic fields (ESFs) in biological systems has long been a subject of scientific curiosity. While traditional theories have dismissed the potential influence of static electric fields on chemical/physical processes within living organisms, recent advancements challenge these assumptions. This article explores the innovative fish breeding method described in European Patent EP 0351 357 A1 and its broader implications for agriculture, as highlighted by subsequent research and commentary from experts such as Dr. Guido Ebner, Heinz Schürch, Rolf Keppler, and Luc Bürgin.
Patent Overview: Electrostatic Field-Induced Modifications in Fish
Filed on June 15, 1989, by CIBA-GEIGY AG (now Syngenta), the patent outlines a novel method for inducing permanent beneficial traits in fish through brief exposure to static electric fields. The inventors, Dr. Guido Ebner and Heinz Schürch, proposed that such fields could modify biochemical pathways during early developmental stages, leading to enhanced fertility rates, survival, and long-term advantageous characteristics (e.g., increased size). Notably, these traits persisted even after the removal of the field, challenging conventional scientific paradigms. The patent emphasizes that the underlying mechanism remains unexplained and requires further investigation.
Key findings from the experiments include:
- Enhanced fertilization and hatching rates in fish exposed to ESFs compared to controls.
- Permanent morphological and physiological improvements (e.g., larger body size, improved growth).
- The potential for these modifications to influence future generations of fish, suggesting heritable changes.
The patent also highlights the broader applicability of ESFs beyond aquatic species, as evidenced by its discussion of plant growth experiments conducted by CIBA-GEIGY AG and third-party researchers.
Experimental Findings Beyond Fish
Aquatic Species
The CIBA-GEIGY AG experiments demonstrated that exposure to static electric fields (e.g., 750–4800 V/cm) could significantly alter fish physiology. For example, trout embryos exposed to these fields exhibited traits resembling pre-19th-century European salmon species, suggesting the reactivation of dormant genetic material. Additionally, larger body sizes and improved survival rates were observed, raising questions about the heritability of these changes.
Plant Growth
Subsequent studies, including those by Rolf Keppler, revealed that ESFs could enhance plant growth. Notably:
- Corn (maize) exposed to fields produced multiple ears per stalk instead of one.
- Fern spores under ESFs developed ancient-like leaf structures.
- Wheat seedlings exhibited significantly larger root systems, leading to faster growth and potentially higher yields.
In an experiment by Daniel Kalbermatten (1992), exposure of Sonora summer wheat to a 1500 V/cm field improved water absorption and growth rates, with some trials reporting up to threefold increases in yield compared to untreated controls.
Controversy and Concerns: The Role of Electrosmog and Ethical Implications
While the scientific community has acknowledged the potential of ESFs for agricultural applications (e.g., reducing pesticide use), concerns have been raised regarding electrosmog—the unintended electromagnetic pollution generated by non-sinusoidal or spiky voltage outputs. Rolf Keppler, a researcher and commentator, cautioned that such methods could “form the character” of organisms, potentially introducing aggressive traits in plants or animals. He emphasized the need to eliminate electrosmog entirely during experiments by using large capacitors to smooth voltage output.
Additionally, the abrupt discontinuation of research by CIBA-GEIGY AG in 1990—despite the company’s role as a global leader in pesticide production—has fueled speculation about the method’s broader implications. Could ESFs replace chemical interventions? If so, this might significantly reduce reliance on synthetic pesticides, aligning with sustainable agriculture goals.
Scientific and Ethical Debates
The patent’s findings have sparked ongoing debates:
- Mechanism of Action: The lack of a clear explanation for how static electric fields induce heritable changes remains a critical gap in the research. Some scientists argue that this warrants further rigorous validation before widespread adoption.
- Ethical Considerations: Intervening in genetic expression through ESFs raises questions about long-term ecological impacts and unintended consequences, such as unforeseen mutations or disruptions to natural ecosystems.
Despite these concerns, proponents like Drs. Schürch and Ebner remain optimistic, hoping that independent institutions will continue exploring the method’s potential.
Conclusion
The application of electrostatic fields in aquaculture and plant growth presents a fascinating intersection of biotechnology and physics. While the findings from EP 0351 357 A1 and related experiments suggest transformative possibilities for agriculture, they also highlight the need for interdisciplinary research to address unresolved scientific questions and ethical dilemmas. As Rolf Keppler aptly noted, “What actually occurs in the electrostatic field remains unknown”—a challenge that demands both scientific rigor and caution as we navigate this uncharted territory.
Patent:
Application EP89810461A events
1989-06-15 Application filed by Ciba Geigy AG
1989-06-15 Priority to AT89810461T
1990-01-17 Publication of EP0351357A1
1993-03-03
Application granted
1993-03-03 Publication of EP0351357B1
2009-06-15
Anticipated expiration
Status
Expired – Lifetime
The present invention relates to a novel method which, based on the short-term application of electrostatic fields, leads to permanent useful and desirable properties in fish which are otherwise not possible at all or can only be produced with considerable additional effort. Due to the simplicity of the process measures according to the invention and the significant results, the breeding of freshwater and saltwater fish, in particular edible but also ornamental fish, undergoes a drastic improvement.
The method according to the invention is essentially the short-term introduction of early fish development stages, e.g. of juvenile fish or preferably of eggs, before, during or after fertilization, but especially of eggs in early cell division phases, in electrostatic fields, with the exclusion of flowing electrical currents. The use of eggs during or immediately after fertilization is particularly preferred.
Specifically, within the scope of the method according to the invention, containers (aquariums) filled with fresh or salt water and containing the fish or eggs, which preferably consist of electrically non-conductive material (insulator), are placed between the electrodes of a capacitor. A DC voltage of one to several tens of thousands of volts is applied to said electrodes. Of course, instead of the non-conductive aquarium material, electrodes can also be used which are provided with an insulating coating and which immerse these electrically insulated capacitor plates directly in the containers. It is only important that the fresh or salt water, which acts as a dielectric, is not in conductive connection with the capacitor electrodes. Because in this If no currents flow through the device, no noticeable loss of energy is detected. Accordingly, energy is not a cost factor in this invention.
Another important aspect of the present invention relates to the fact that the chemical identity of the “fish” system is not changed due to the absence of an electrical current flow.
The interest in the investigation of parameters that have an indirect or direct effect on chemical / physical processes in living organisms has so far been concentrated almost exclusively on the influence of temperature, pressure, electromagnetic radiation and electrodynamic fields (alternating fields).
On the other hand, much less attention was paid, for example, to the investigation of possible interactions between electrostatic fields and the development of higher organisms, especially fish.
Only recently have reports of possible effects of gravitation and magnetic fields on biological systems become more frequent. For example, Goodman and Henderson [Bioelectromagnetics, 7 : 23-29, 1986] were able to find signs that there is a connection between electromagnetic fields and the transcription rate in biological material, which is positively influenced by the applied EM field, in the sense of an increase in transcription .
In contrast, the possibility that static electric fields could also have an influence on chemical / physical processes in living beings, especially in early development phases, has apparently been ruled out from the outset. Accordingly, there are no reports of a possible effect of static electric fields on the development of fish.
On the other hand, studies have been described (CA 95 : 165 987b; Vosyliene et al.), In which trout ( Salmo iridens ) and carp ( Cyprinus carpio ) have field strengths of 0.03 – 0.08 V / cm and over longer periods 0.06 – 0.10 V / cm were exposed. Said investigations mainly dealt with the influence of the applied voltage on brain development and noradrenaline release in addition depending on the season.
The fact that the effects of static electric fields are so little investigated may appear to be primarily due to the fact that, according to the current wisdom, it was assumed that a static electric field in a medium filled with charge carriers is shielded by the spontaneous formation of an electrical double layer and thus in its Effect remains inert.
beträgt, worin
d = die Dicke der Doppelschicht
F = die Faradayische Konstante
ε = die Dielektrizitätskonstante
R = die universelle Gaskonstante
T = die absolute Temperatur und
i = Ionenarten der Konzentrationen ci und der Wertigkeiten zi
bedeuten.This doctrine is essentially based on the relationship established by C. Gouy and DL Chapman, according to which the effective thickness of a diffuse double layer for an electrolyte
is what
d = the thickness of the double layer
F = the Faraday constant
ε = the dielectric constant
R = the universal gas constant
T = the absolute temperature and
i = types of ions with concentrations c i and valences z i
mean.
This prejudice with regard to fish has now surprisingly been overcome within the scope of the present invention by using simple process measures.
Contrary to the common teaching opinion characterized in more detail above, it has now been possible for the first time in the context of this invention to develop a method by means of which it is possible, based on a modification of chemical / physical process sequences due to the action of a static electric field, to remain desirable and useful in fish To induce changes.
As said, this can be achieved most simply by introducing said juvenile fish or fertilized or unfertilized fish eggs into a static electric field, so that the chemical / physical processes taking place during cell division and differentiation, which are to be influenced with the aid of the method according to the invention , under the influence of a defined electrostatic field under controllable conditions.
- a) frühe Entwicklungsstadien von Fischen in ein statisches Elektrofeld einbringt, sodass die chemisch/ physikalischen Prozesse, die beeinflusst werden sollen, unter dem Einfluss eines definierten elektrostatischen Feldes unter kontrollierbaren Bedingungen ablaufen, ohne dadurch aber die chemische Identität des Systems selbst zu verändern und
- b) besagte frühe Entwicklungsstadien von Fischen dort für einen Zeitraum belässt, der für eine stabile Ausbildung der gewünschten Modifikation notwendig ist.
The present invention thus relates to a process for producing desirable and useful properties in fish, which is characterized in that
- a) introduces early stages of fish development into a static electric field, so that the chemical / physical processes that are to be influenced take place under the influence of a defined electrostatic field under controllable conditions, but without changing the chemical identity of the system itself and
- b) leaves said early stages of development of fish there for a period of time necessary for stable formation of the desired modification.
The early stages of development of fish are understood here and in the following to mean all stages, from the egg (egg cell), preferably the fertilized egg, through the various embryonic stages to the hatchable or hatched juvenile fish. These are the stages of frequent cell division and differentiation, in which the electrostatic fields achieve positive and lasting results.
Fish eggs that are already fertilized in the static field or that are only exposed to an electrostatic field after fertilization, ideally immediately after, are particularly preferred.
A favorable and therefore preferred within the scope of the present invention for these early developmental stages to remain in the electrostatic field is the time for the eggs to ripen, in particular until Hatch. This period generally depends on external conditions, such as the water temperature, the O₂ content, etc., but especially on the type of fish.
The hatched juvenile fish are then transferred to larger tanks, as is customary in fish farming, where they grow to the desired stage.
The really surprising thing is that these young fish, pretreated in the manner described above and transferred to normal breeding tanks, differ significantly from untreated control groups.
The first thing to note is a significantly higher hatching rate for the treated fish eggs, whereby an increase of 100 to 300%, but also higher values, often occur. These juveniles also make a much more agile and vital impression than the untreated control fish. Very significant is their extremely high survival rate, which extends not only to the first days of life, but practically to the entire life cycle. This becomes even clearer if you do without any drug treatment. Then it is found that the untreated (without a static electric field) control group is reduced in the first days and weeks by the non-artificially suppressed, naturally existing population of disease germs at least twice as much as the fish that have been treated in the electric field. In addition, with the same diet, the treated fish gain weight and size much more quickly and reach the adult stage much earlier and can thus be transferred to natural waters or are available for sale as edible or ornamental fish.
Furthermore, no adverse changes in the offspring of these treated fish are observed. On the contrary, a certain part of the vitality seems to be transferable to the offspring.
All in all, the fish treated according to the invention are much more vital than the untreated control animals and reach the adult stage earlier. For the fish breeder, this means a reduction in the consumption of medication and disinfectants, up to the total elimination of such agents, a significantly more efficient use of the fish food used and a shorter breeding phase. These are advantages that no other currently known measure can provide.
The mechanism on which the method according to the invention is based is currently not known and requires future clarification work.
Overall, the use of the method according to the invention surprisingly leads, for example, to a positive change in development and growth efficiency, morphogenesis, possibly gene expression patterns, susceptibility to stress, resistance to pathogens, etc.
An essential aspect of this invention therefore relates to a method for increasing the efficiency of development and growth of fresh and salt water fish. A method for increasing the efficiency of development and growth in edible fish is particularly preferred.
Also included in the present invention are the modified fish resulting from the use of the method according to the invention, which have increased development or growth efficiency and their offspring, provided that they still have the new and characteristic properties of at least one of the parents modified according to the method.
In the context of this invention, an increased development and growth efficiency of fish is by definition an increase in hatching rates and an increase in the rate of growth.
The present invention further relates to a method which modifies the specific stress reactions of fish in a desirable and useful manner, in particular in the sense that the animals treated according to the invention are more robust and reach the adult stage more quickly.
For example, it is possible to drastically reduce the susceptibility to diseases by using the method according to the invention and thus to cultivate the fish under conditions which are normally critical to its health and which would not permit normal and regulated development without the treatment according to the invention.
The present invention therefore also includes fish whose specific reactions to certain stress parameters are modified in a desired and useful manner by the use of the method according to the invention, in particular those which have an increased resistance to pathogens.
- a) Einbringen von befruchteten Fischeiern in ein statisches Elektrofeld unter Ausschluss von Stromfluss oder Befruchtung der Eier in besagtem Feld,
- b) Einstellen der Feldstärke auf Werte zwischen 1 V/cm und 10⁵ V/cm und
- c) Aufrechterhaltung des statischen Elektrofeldes bis zum Schlüpfen oder zur Ausreifung der Jungfische.
Particularly preferred in the context of this invention is a method for vitalizing fish, which is characterized by the following method measures:
- a) introducing fertilized fish eggs into a static electric field to the exclusion of current flow or fertilization of the eggs in said field,
- b) Setting the field strength to values between 1 V / cm and 10⁵ V / cm and
- c) Maintaining the static electric field until hatching or maturation of the fry.
Of course, the fertilization process can also be carried out in the apparatus according to the invention (aquarium with electrodes) with the voltage already applied.
In the context of the present invention, the static electric field is preferably built up between the electrically insulated plates of a capacitor.
worin U die Potentialdifferenz (Spannung) zwischen den Kondensatorplatten und d den Plattenabstand bedeuten.The electric field strength of the static electric field is given by the following relationship:
E =
where U is the potential difference (voltage) between the capacitor plates and d is the plate spacing.
The electrical voltage U is generated by a high voltage generator. Any high voltage generator can be used in this invention; High-voltage generators based on the transformer principle with rectifier are preferred.
The preferred electrical voltage in the context of this invention is between 1.0 V (volts) and 10⁵ (V) volts.
For the application of the method according to the invention to fish eggs, i.a. Voltages from 1 V to 20,000 V, in particular from 100 V to 10,000 V. A voltage of 500 V to 3,000 V is very particularly preferred.
The plate spacing of the condenser depends on the dimensions of the container (aquarium) and is e.g. between 0.01 mm and 1 m, but preferably between 1 cm and 10 cm.
In practice, the field strength of the static field for a given plate spacing is normally regulated by the amount of voltage on a high-voltage generator.
In the context of the present invention, the field strength values used are preferably between 1 V / cm and 10,000 V / cm, particularly preferably between 50 V / cm and 5,000 V / cm, but in particular between 500 V / cm and 1,000 V /cm.
Very particularly preferred for use in the method according to the invention is biological material which has a high division activity and / or is still not very differentiated, such as e.g. dividing cells. At this point, fertilized or unfertilized eggs as well as early embryonic stages up to the hatchable juvenile should be mentioned in detail.
The fertilization and hatching rate of fish can be significantly increased under the influence of a static electric field.
All these exemplary enumerations serve only to illustrate the present invention and in no way limit the subject matter of the invention.
Particularly preferred in the context of this invention is a method in which the fertilized eggs develop into juveniles in a static electric field, the field strength values preferably being between 10 V / cm and 3,000 V / cm. Field strength values from 500 V / cm to 1,500 V / cm, in particular from 500 V / cm to 1,000 V / cm, are particularly preferred.
- a) Fischeier mit männlichem Samen versetzt,
- b) diese in Brutzellen einbringt, in denen ein statisches Elektrofeld aufgebaut wird,
- c) Feldstärkewerte für das statische Elektrofeld zwischen 10 V/cm und 3’000 V/cm einstellt,
- d) die Jungfische nach dem Schlüpfen aus dem Einflussbereich des statischen Elektrofeldes herausnimmt und
- e) besagte Jungfische nach an sich bekannten Methoden aufzieht.
Specifically, it is a method of increasing the growth and development efficiency of fish, which is characterized in that the fertilization, hatching and survival rate as well as the growth of the fish is increased by:
- a) fish eggs mixed with male semen,
- b) introduces them into brood cells in which a static electric field is built up,
- c) sets field strength values for the static electric field between 10 V / cm and 3,000 V / cm,
- d) after hatching, takes the juveniles out of the sphere of influence of the static electric field and
- e) raises said juvenile fish according to methods known per se.
The treatment of the fish in the static electric field is preferably carried out in the context of this invention in special brood cells, which contain watertight and above all non-conductive cast electrodes in the bottom and in the lid, which are conductively connected to a source for generating a high DC voltage and with the help thereof a static electric field can be built up inside the brood cell. Of course, any other experimental setup can be used for the treatment of the fish, provided that it meets the specified framework conditions.
After hatching of the fry, the electric field is switched off and the further rearing of the fry is continued according to generally accepted methods without the influence of an electric field.
Contrary to all theory and therefore extremely surprising, it can be seen that the young fish hatched in the electric field have other advantageous properties than the controls, in addition to a significantly increased fertilization and hatching rate, which are now also manifested after the field has ceased and affect further development the fish impact.
These include e.g. a strong reduction in the number of juveniles and an increased growth rate compared to the controls. In addition, the treated test animals show a significantly increased vitality compared to the control animals.
Another object of the present invention relates to the use of the method according to the invention for modifying specific stress reactions of fish.
Particularly preferred areas of application relate to the increase in stress resistance, for example to certain environmental factors, such as increased salt concentrations in the culture medium, limitation of essential nutrients, limitation of light and / or O₂ supply, acceptance of contaminants, etc.
One of the most common stress factors in the living environment concerns the lack of stress, whereby one or more factors can have a limiting effect at the same time.
Stress deficiency occurs as soon as one or more of the factors necessary for optimal growth or development, such as light, O₂ / CO₂ supply, nutrient supply, vitamins etc., reaches suboptimal values.
As a result, the organism in question can no longer fully maintain certain synthetic activities necessary for optimal development and growth, which initially leads to a slowdown in growth. If this lack of stress persists over a longer period of time, this ultimately leads to an impairment of essential life functions, which ultimately ultimately leads to an early onset of senescence and thus ultimately to the death of the affected organism.
Not only a deficiency, but also an oversupply of certain critical factors can lead to the triggering of stress reactions. Increased salt concentration in the nutrient medium, for example, leads to an increase in the osmotic value in the medium and consequently to a loss of fluid in the cells therein as a result of an onset of osmosis and thus to a shrinking of the cells. The loss of fluid can generally be compensated to a certain extent by compensatory measures by the organisms concerned. However, if a critical threshold value is exceeded, the affected cells die.
The method according to the invention can in principle be applied to all types of fish, but in particular to species which are bred on a commercial scale.
The treatment of edible fish is of particular importance, since it can be expected that the production costs can be drastically reduced with the aid of the method according to the invention.
To illustrate the more general description and for a better understanding of the present invention, reference should now be made to specific exemplary embodiments which are not of a limiting character, unless specifically pointed out. The same applies to all exemplary enumerations that are contained in the preceding description.Unlimited examplesStructure of the static electric field – experimental setup (hereinafter referred to as “experimental setup “)
All the experiments described below are carried out in static electrical fields that are built up between the plates of a capacitor.
gegeben, worin
U die Spannung (Potentialdifferenz) zwischen den Kondensatorplatten und d den Plattenabstand des Kondensators
bedeuten.The electric field strength is given by the relationship E =
given where
U the voltage (potential difference) between the capacitor plates and d the plate spacing of the capacitor
mean.
The voltage is generated with the help of a high-voltage generator, which is based on the transformer principle with rectifier, whereby voltages between 500 volts and 12,000 volts are generally used.
The plate spacing of the capacitor depends on the dimensions of the sample vessels used in the individual experiments. As a rule, the variable parameters U and d are selected such that the static electric field has field strength values between 250 V / cm and 1500 V / cm.
For the tests with fish, subsequently with trout, a test arrangement somewhat different from this general scheme was chosen, which is described in detail in Example 1.
- a) einem zur Aufnahme der frühen Fischentwicklungsstadien in wässrigem Medium geeigneten Behälter und
- b) einer elektrischen Spannungsquelle sowie einer mit dieser verbundenen Elektrodenanordnung zur Erzeugung eines elektrischen Felds in wenigstens einem Teil des vom Behälter umschlossenen Volumens,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Elektrodenanordnung gegenüber dem im Behälter befindlichen Medium elektrisch isoliert und vorzugsweise als Platten eines Kondensators ausgebildet ist, und dass die Spannungsquelle eine Gleichspannungsquelle ist. (siehe Fig. 1)The present invention also relates to an apparatus for treating early stages of fish development with static electric fields
- a) a container suitable for containing the early stages of fish development in aqueous medium and
- b) an electrical voltage source and an electrode arrangement connected to it for generating an electrical field in at least part of the volume enclosed by the container,
characterized in that the electrode arrangement is electrically insulated from the medium in the container and is preferably in the form of plates of a capacitor, and in that the voltage source is a DC voltage source. (see Fig. 1)Example 1: Effect of a static electric field on the development of fish
In addition to the germination behavior of plant seeds, the development of animal organisms can also be positively influenced with the help of a static electric field, which is demonstrated below using the example of rainbow trout.1.1. Experimental setup
Each 1000 trout fish eggs are mixed with male semen in a basin and immediately entered into brood cells. The brood cells consist of a plexiglass container with the following dimensions: 31.5 x 28.5 x 4.5 cm and 1 l content. Air-tight and watertight sealed aluminum electrodes are cast in the bottom and in the lid (see Figure 2).
The shells are connected to a spring water pipe at 10-12 ° C and the electrodes are conductively connected to a high voltage generator (FUG HCN 14-12500; Weter, Pfaffhausen, CH). The voltage applied is 2150 volts with a plate spacing of 3 cm, which creates a field strength of 716 V / cm between the electrodes. The fertilization and maturation of the eggs takes place in this facility. After about 4 weeks the eye stage is reached, after 8 weeks the brood hatches.
After hatching, the brood is transferred to laminar-flow basins of 50 x 50 x 15 cm and the electric field is removed, so that the further development of the fry takes place without the influence of the field.1.2. Results
Table 4 shows that the number of young fish hatched under the influence of the static electric field is significantly higher than in the control.
The exits immediately after hatching and after 5 weeks, on the other hand, could be reduced by the field to about half compared to the controls.
In addition, a growth-increasing effect of the field can also be demonstrated. The size of the juvenile fish 10 weeks after hatching is between 30% and 40% higher than that of the control fish when hatched under the influence of the static electric field (see Table 1). Table 1 Comparison of the growth and development efficiency of rainbow trout with and without an electric field without field with field Basin 1 Basin 2 hatched juveniles 140 244 469 Leaving after hatching 37 14 19th Departures after 5 weeks 10th 5 6 Size after 10 weeks 2.6 cm 3.4 cm 3.6 cm
The fish incubated in the field show a significantly increased vitality.
Claims (15)Hide Dependent translated from German
1. A method for producing desirable and useful properties of fish, characterized in that one a) introduces early stages of fish development into a static electric field, so that the chemical / physical processes that are to be influenced take place under the influence of a defined electrostatic field under controllable conditions, but without changing the chemical identity of the system itself and b) the said early developmental stages are left there for a period of time which is necessary for a stable formation of the desired modification. 2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that fertilized fish eggs are introduced into the static electric field. 3. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that fish eggs are fertilized in the static electric field. 4. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that the fertilized eggs are left until they mature in the static electric field. 5. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that the fertilized eggs are left until the hatching of the fry in the static electric field. 6. The method according to claim 1 for increasing the efficiency of development and growth of fresh and saltwater fish. 7. The method according to claim 6 for increasing the hatching rates. 8. Process for the vitalization of fish, characterized by the measures: a) introducing fertilized eggs into a static electric field to the exclusion of current flow or fertilization of the eggs in said field; b) setting the field strength to values between 1.0 V / cm and 10⁵ V / cm; and c) Maintaining the static electric field until the young fish mature or hatch. 9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that capacitor plates are used to generate the static electric field, which are in no conductive connection to the water acting as a dielectric. 10. A method for increasing the growth and development efficiency of fish, characterized in that one increases the fertilization, hatching and survival rate as well as the growth of the fish by a) fish eggs mixed with male semen, b) introduces them into brood cells in which a static electric field is built up, c) sets the field strength values for the static electric field between 10 V / cm and 10,000 V / cm, d) after hatching, takes the juveniles out of the sphere of influence of the static electric field and e) raises said juvenile fish according to methods known per se. 11. A method for increasing the growth and development efficiency of fish, characterized in that the fertilization, hatching and survival rate and the growth of the fish are increased by a) fish eggs mixed with male semen, b) introduces them into brood cells in which a static electric field is built up, c) sets field strength values for the static electric field between 10 V / cm and 3,000 V / cm, d) after hatching, takes the juveniles out of the sphere of influence of the static electric field and e) raises said juvenile fish according to methods known per se. 12. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that the field strength values are between 500 V / cm and 1,000 V / cm. 13. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that it is trout. 14. The fish modified according to claim 1 and their descendants, provided that the latter still have at least one of the changed properties of a parent. 15. Device for treating early stages of fish development with static electric fields
a) a container suitable for containing the early stages of fish development in aqueous medium and
b) an electrical voltage source and an electrode arrangement connected to it for generating an electrical field in at least part of the volume enclosed by the container,
characterized in that the electrode arrangement is electrically insulated from the medium in the container and is preferably in the form of plates of a capacitor, and in that the voltage source is a DC voltage source.
References
- European Patent EP 0351 357 A1 (CIBA-GEIGY AG, 1989).
- Luc Bürgin, Götterspuren (1993), pages 44–46.
- Reports by ARD Fernsehen (Report, 05.10.1992) and Basellandschaftliche Zeitung (1992).
- Research by Rolf Keppler and Daniel Kalbermatten, as cited in scientific literature and media analyses.
