|
|
Article: Japanese scientists create genetically modified "fearless" mouse
- Article from:
- AP Worldstream
- Article date:
- December 13, 2007
- Author:
CopyrightCopyright 2007 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. (Hide copyright information)
|
The age-old animosity between cats and mice could be a thing of the past with genetically modified mice that Japanese scientists say show no fear and shed new light on mammal behavior.
Scientists at Tokyo University say they have used genetic engineering 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," research team leader Ko Kobayakawa said. "But mice with certain nasal cells removed through ...