Sunday, December 16, 2007

Genetically Engineered Mice Not Afraid of Cats


The Guardian reports about the story of a genetically engineered mouse that has no fear of cats. Here is a sample:

The Tokyo University professor has just unveiled mutant mice that have lost their innate fear of cats.

Rather than flee or freeze when confronted with their feline enemy, the mice sniffed and even played with them, blissfully unaware of the potential dangers.

Kobayakawa developed the fearless mice by shutting down receptors in their olfactory bulb - the area of the brain that processes information about smells - which would normally induce panic as soon as they get so much as a whiff of a cat.

Cheers,
Colin