Scientists “humanise” Foxp2 gene in mice to probe origins of human language | Hacker News Reader

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

scienceblogs.com

13 pointsmrb7 comments

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?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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