3 ms·

Scientists “humanise” Foxp2 gene in mice to probe origins of human language

13 points by mrb 14y ago

btilly 14y ago
Why is it obviously not OK to genetically modify chimps with a gene that will likely let them talk to us? We'd have the responsibility of taking care of the chimp. Yes, that is difficult. But it is doable, and we'd learn a lot from it. If it works, I think the chimp will like being the way that it is. What am I missing?
- hackinthebochs 14y ago
  It's the visceral reaction to creating a more human-like chimp. A mouse is dissimilar enough that we don't have an innate revulsion to tweaking mouse genes. But for chimps it's another story. Most people are already uncomfortable with the idea that we're closely related to chimps. Tweaking their genes to give them what is a uniquely human feature? No way will the unwashed masses go for that.
  - alexsb92 14y ago
    Sometimes I wish there would be a country somewhere with an incredible driving force behind science where things like this would be possible. Still partake in ethical research, but reject the knee jerk emotional reactions that some experiments might cause. Would probably advance some fields quite a bit. It also always happens that when i imagine it, it's on a big island.
    - atlantic 14y ago
      Yes, the island of Dr. Moreau. Wells was hardly a member of the great unwashed masses, yet he perceived the dangers of this particular line of research over a century ago. It might be worth a read - scientists are often not the best people to pass judgement on the ethics of their own activities.
      - alexsb92 14y ago
        Thanks! I'll check it out. And i generally agree with your last statement, so by no means do i wish for an island completely ruled by scientists, but I think it would be neat to have a country/city state type thing incredibly renowned by their scientific breakthroughs.
  - btilly 14y ago
    Ah, the uncanny valley. I've long noticed that I have less of that reaction than most. I'd be more curious at the prospect of talking to a chimp than repulsed by it. But yes, that would explain a lot.
ekianjo 14y ago
This article is fairly old (well, 2009), any idea if there has been some progress in that FOXP2 research since then ?

13 points by mrb 14y ago

Why is it obviously not OK to genetically modify chimps with a gene that will likely let them talk to us? We'd have the responsibility of taking care of the chimp. Yes, that is difficult. But it is doable, and we'd learn a lot from it. If it works, I think the chimp will like being the way that it is. What am I missing?

hackinthebochs 14y ago
It's the visceral reaction to creating a more human-like chimp. A mouse is dissimilar enough that we don't have an innate revulsion to tweaking mouse genes. But for chimps it's another story. Most people are already uncomfortable with the idea that we're closely related to chimps. Tweaking their genes to give them what is a uniquely human feature? No way will the unwashed masses go for that.
- alexsb92 14y ago
  Sometimes I wish there would be a country somewhere with an incredible driving force behind science where things like this would be possible. Still partake in ethical research, but reject the knee jerk emotional reactions that some experiments might cause. Would probably advance some fields quite a bit. It also always happens that when i imagine it, it's on a big island.
  - atlantic 14y ago
    Yes, the island of Dr. Moreau. Wells was hardly a member of the great unwashed masses, yet he perceived the dangers of this particular line of research over a century ago. It might be worth a read - scientists are often not the best people to pass judgement on the ethics of their own activities.
    - alexsb92 14y ago
      Thanks! I'll check it out. And i generally agree with your last statement, so by no means do i wish for an island completely ruled by scientists, but I think it would be neat to have a country/city state type thing incredibly renowned by their scientific breakthroughs.
- btilly 14y ago
  Ah, the uncanny valley. I've long noticed that I have less of that reaction than most. I'd be more curious at the prospect of talking to a chimp than repulsed by it. But yes, that would explain a lot.

ekianjo 14y ago

This article is fairly old (well, 2009), any idea if there has been some progress in that FOXP2 research since then ?