Scientists create Mighty Mouse
Researchers at Rutgers University have discovered that deactivating a specific gene transforms meek mice into daredevils. Mice that lack an active gene for the protein ‘stathmin’ are not only more courageous, but are also slower to learn fear responses to pain-associated stimuli.
In some of the experiments, the stathmin-lacking mice wandered out into the centre of an open box, in defiance of the normal mouse instinct to hide along the box’s walls to avoid potential predators.
In both mice and humans, the amygdala area of the brain serves as the control centre of basic fear impulses. Stathmin is found almost exclusively in this and related brain areas.
This research could one day help people suffering from fear – in the form of phobias or anxiety disorders.
24. November 2005 um 01:40
Wow, I wonder when they’ll start testing this on human subjects. Like Clark Kent said “There’s a super being inside all of us.”
lol
25. November 2005 um 15:45
The Mighty Mice sound like Florida cockroaches to me…
4. December 2005 um 08:32
Great graphic!! Scary article.
Sound like they are trying to create a race of human weapons, like in lame sci-fi movies.
13. December 2005 um 19:54
I’m sure this would have put a spin on Steinbeck’s Novel…