Japan scientists develop fearless mice

Associated Press ^ | 12-13-07 | KAORI HITOMI

[Pharmboy]

In this undated photo released by Tokyo University's
Department of Biophysics and Biochemistry Graduate
School of Science, a genetically modified mouse
approaches a cat in Tokyo. Using genetic engineering,
scientists at Tokyo University say they have
successfully switched off the rodents' instinct to
cower at the smell or presence of cats, showing that
fear is genetically hardwired and not leaned through
experience, as commonly believed. (AP Photo/Ko
and Reiko Kobayakawa, Tokyo University Department of
Biophysics and Biochemistry Graduate School of Science, HO)

Cat and mouse may never be the same. Japanese scientists say they've used genetic engineering to create mice that show no fear of felines, a development that may shed new light on mammal behavior and the nature of fear itself.

Scientists at Tokyo University say they were able to successfully switch off a mouse's instinct to cower at the smell or presence of cats — showing that fear is genetically hardwired and not learned through experience, as commonly believed.

"Mice are naturally terrified of cats, and usually panic or flee at the smell of one. But mice with certain nasal cells removed through genetic engineering didn't display any fear," said research team leader Ko Kobayakawa.

In his experiment, the genetically altered mice approached cats, even snuggled up to them and played with them. Kobayakawa said he chose domesticated cats that were docile and thus less likely to pounce.

Kobayakawa said his findings, published in the science magazine Nature last month, should help researchers shed further light on how the brain processes information about the outside world.

Kim Dae-soo, a neural genetics professor at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology in Seoul, who was not involved in the research, said Kobayakawa's research could explain further what fear is, and how to control it.

"People have thought mice are fearful of cats because cats prey on them, but that's not the case," Kim said.

"If we follow the pathway of related signals in the brain, I think we could discover what kind of networks in the brain are important for controlling fear."

___

Associated Press Writer Jae-soon Chang in Seoul contributed to this report.

[G8 Diplomat]

Great. So what’s next? Engineering humans to be unafraid of danger? We have fear for a REASON—to warn us when danger is coming that helps as a protection from it. Science like this always leads to something worse.

[Secret Agent Man]

Y’know, there’s a reason why God hardwired mice to be afraid of cats. I don’t see this (and my mice friends can back me up on this) as a beneficial gene alteration from the mices’ point of view.

[usmcobra]

It is only a matter of time before they put these fearless mice in giant robot warriors.

[adorno]

Scientists at Tokyo University say they were able to successfully switch off a mouse's instinct to cower at the smell or presence of cats

That'll be a quick way to extinction for the mice if they all get that genetic manipulation. If they were to do the same for rats, New Yorkers could then easily get rid of a big problem. And PETA will have a new animal on their extinction list.

And, Al-Qaeda will have an animal which they could then easily strap belts of explosives around their waists and send them on the way to America.

[do the dhue]

To lose fear of a natural enemy is not a break through. It’s happened before ... they just didn't get the chance to breed.

[ladyjane]

Years ago I read a small article on one of the back pages of the New York Times. It was about a new disease doctors in New York were seeing that seemed to suppress the immune system. It was seen mainly in male patients and was considered contagious.

I remember getting a chill when I read that brief article. I get the same feeling now.

[Luke Skyfreeper]

I don’t think though that these mice have much of an evolutionary future.

Dang, ain't that the truth.

[G8 Diplomat]

And, Al-Qaeda will have an animal which they could then easily strap belts of explosives around their waists and send them on the way to America.

They do already....themselves.

I was thinking how this could potentially be used in warfare...an army of genetically-engineered 'fearless' troops facing bullet fire and IEDs without an ounce of fear?? That'll make them stupid--they'll get too close to an IED or something because they're not afraid of it and get themselves killed. And from the terrorists side, the number of suicide bombers would increase since they all have 'no fear' of getting blown up. We have the fear instinct for a reason. To react to danger and protect ourselves. I can't imagine what kind of nightmarish world it would be if we weren't afraid of anything...everyone's genes tampered with to make them 'perfect' and fearless....scary times in the future if this continues.

[do the dhue]

LOL

perfect

[Pharmboy]

Well, they're not trying to improve the species, only to test the hypothesis that fear is hard-wired.

[G8 Diplomat]

If these mice weren’t afraid of jumping off a cliff would they do it?

[G8 Diplomat]

For now. But I wouldn’t be surprised if someone comes along and takes the next step later.

[BenLurkin]

RIght on time, though.

How else would the glow in the dark cats have a chance?

[do the dhue]

What ever they gave the mice, they need to give it to the terrorist who hide behind woman and children.

[Daffynition]

[namsman]

Marine Corps DI’s perfected this years ago! Having never been through bootcamp, I can’t say with certainty, but I think it has nothing to do with altering genes.

Namsman (Proud Marine dad of Cpl. Namsman Jr.)

[grey_whiskers]

Put this together with glow-in-the-dark cats, and we have some SERIOUS favoritism (speciesism?) going on here.

Coyote, has this shown up on the other site^TM yet?

I think the mice will soon qualify for Darwin Awards--they will be the ones "volunteered" to put the bell on the kitty.

Not much survival value there, eh?

Cheers!

[Revel]

And what if mice are not afraid of humans. Do they craw on you in your sleep then?

[camle]

what’s the big deal? Johnny Walker has been making people fearless for decades!