December 14, 2007

Mice bred not to fear cats

Researchers from Tokyo University have been breeding mice that have been genetically engineered so that they do not fear cats, the first thing that springs to mind is “Why?” Prof. Ko Kobayakawa has discovered that these mutant mice now have no fear what so ever, so instead of freezing on the spot or running for its life, the mouse will just carry on as normal when it comes face to face with the cat.

This is done by shutting down certain receptors in the brain that are responsible for smell, it is this that a mouse would sense and therefore run away its part of their genetic makeup which they have inherited, but by removing this the fear is lost.

However obviously a mouse that does not fear a cat is not going to live long, fear is something that keeps us all alive!

Source [Guardian]