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The Oldest Mouse Contest

Posted by timothy on from the games-scientists-play dept.

Shipud writes "Nature reports a contest that was launched in Britain today, to produce the oldest laboratory mouse. Current record in 5 years -- 150 in human years. From the page : ``Researchers can use any technique to boost longevity, including genetic manipulation and stem-cell therapy''. Winners will receive cash for every day beyond the current record. The Methuselah Mouse contest was created in an effort to boost research into human longevity."

7 of 386 comments (clear)

  1. But of course... by taliver · · Score: 1, Redundant

    "The Methuselah Mouse contest was created in an effort to boost research into human longevity."

    Wow! What a concept! Surely there would be no other reason for scientists to look to extend life than a per-day monetary prize! And of course, no scientist would get recognition otherwise! Ponce de Leon may have looked a lot harder if he was just trying to find an old mouse...

    Give me a break.

    How about having a contest for reasonable solutions to a problem of overpopulation, or, more importantly, a contest to see if there is a politician with enough backbone to raise the retirement age to 100.

    (In all seriousness, I'm of the opinion that the retirement age should be set to a value dependant upon the expected lifetime in the society, as well as some level of job availability. Now this formula would be a good thing to reward.)

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  2. No! I Win! by El_Ge_Ex · · Score: 0, Redundant

    Found it!

    -B

  3. I've got a mouse that's 10 years old. by JRHelgeson · · Score: 0, Redundant
    I've been using this old serial bus PS/2 mouse for well over 10 years. It's connected to my 486dx2 66. All I need to do is clean out the ball every so often.

    Oh wait, nevermind. They want lab mice. My basement is nowhere near lab conditions.. Oh well.

    --
    Good security is based upon reality and common sense. Common sense is a function of having common knowledge.
  4. Comment removed by account_deleted · · Score: 0, Redundant

    Comment removed based on user account deletion

  5. I still hve the mouse from my Amiga 500 by Limburgher · · Score: 0, Redundant

    And that was 1986, so that's . . . 17? Right?

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    You are not the customer.

  6. Microsoft InPort Bus mouse by rfmobile · · Score: 0, Redundant

    Is that old enough? I think I've still got one sitting in a very used 286-12 or 386SX-16. -rick

  7. Here's my entry by Caractacus+Potts · · Score: 0, Redundant

    I've got a pretty old mouse to enter in this contest. It's a MS Mouse, serial number 0002224, circa 1983. Five years old ain't nothing! Any challengers?