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15 Mutations Resulted In Increased Brain Size

Posted by timothy on from the goes-the-theory dept.

naoursla writes "Researchers at the University of Chicago think they have identified 15 mutations in a gene responsible for brain development that gave humans abilities of abstract thought and planning. The article is at Discover. They plan to insert the gene into mice to 'to see what affect it has on brain development.'"

20 of 193 comments (clear)

  1. Pinky and the Brain by gavinroy · · Score: 5, Funny

    It doesnt seem too far fetched now does it? How long until global mouse domination?

  2. Someone has to say it. by smack_attack · · Score: 3, Funny

    The result of the experiment? 42.

    --

    Hammer of Truth
    1. Re:Someone has to say it. by Muhammar · · Score: 2, Funny

      Mice-financed, this thing was. This is the End. (But let me read you some poetry first).

      --
      I doubt that we will ever figure out - and I suspect that even if we did figure out we couldn't do much about it
  3. Narf.... by synaptik · · Score: 5, Funny
    It doesnt seem too far fetched now does it? How long until global mouse domination?

    I don't think we have to worry, so long as we don't make rubber pants their size.
    --
    HSJ$$*&#^!#+++ATH0
    NO CARRIER
    1. Re:Narf.... by Directrix1 · · Score: 2, Funny

      Planet of the Mice, just isn't quite as catchy.

      --
      Occam's razor is the blind faith in the natural selection of least resistance and in universal oversimplification. -- EF
  4. Would the skulls get bigger too? by TheLink · · Score: 5, Funny

    Big brains in small skulls might not be such a good idea...

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  5. Frankie and Benjy by jon787 · · Score: 4, Funny

    "These creatures you call mice, you see, they are not quite as they appear. They are merely the protrusion into our dimension of vast hyperintelligent pandimensional beings. The whole business with the cheese and the squeaking is just a front."
    -- Slartibartfast, The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy

    --
    X(7): A program for managing terminal windows. See also screen(1).
  6. They should name the mouse Marvin by blamanj · · Score: 3, Funny

    Here I am, with the brain the size of human, trapped in the body of a rodent.

    I'm sure it would be quite depressing.

    (Apologies to DNA.)

    1. Re:They should name the mouse Marvin by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

      Here I am, with the brain the size of human, trapped in the body of a rodent.

      "And here I am, with the brain the size of a rodent, trapped in the body of a human." - George W. Bush

      They should try the gene on him first!

  7. How about... by georgewad · · Score: 2, Funny

    a beowulf cluster of uber mice

    --
    Karma: It's not just a good idea. It's the law.
    1. Re:How about... by Baikala · · Score: 2, Funny

      It would be a "beowulf cluster of Abstract Thinking uber mice", if you you allow me to embrace and extend on your post. A was about to ask if some one read the article first, but then I remember, this is slashdot.

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      16,777,216 comments ought to be enough for any forum!
    2. Re:How about... by georgewad · · Score: 3, Funny

      Oh, was there an article?

      --
      Karma: It's not just a good idea. It's the law.
  8. Quite simple, actually. by Rufus88 · · Score: 5, Funny

    root# diff gwbush_genome.map jdoe_genome.map

    1. Re:Quite simple, actually. by BillyBlaze · · Score: 2, Funny

      Stop playing root!

  9. NIMH has its Secrets by HTH+NE1 · · Score: 5, Funny

    Let's just hope the experimental subjects don't look at the writing on their cages and comprehend.

    --
    Oh, say does that Star-Spangled Banner entwine / The myrtle of Venus with Bacchus's vine?
  10. Uh oh by Chester+K · · Score: 3, Funny

    They plan to insert the gene into mice to 'to see what affect it has on brain development.

    Pinky: What are we going to do tonight?

    The Brain: Same thing we do every night... try to take over the world!

    --

    NO CARRIER
  11. Re:Devil's Advocate here. by NickFusion · · Score: 4, Funny

    Technically, I think that would make you God's Advocate, which could be an important distinction, for billing purposes.

    But yeah, race of hyper-intellegent rodents, not really getting my vote for the Bright Idea 2004 Sweepstakes.

    I imagine walking out of the house one day into a giant springloaded trapped baited with porn and the latest ATI card.

    --
    What were you expecting?
  12. Re:Might want to look into the 2nd smartest ... by Zugok · · Score: 2, Funny

    opposable thumbs are pointless if there are no fingers.

    --
    "I just can't sit while people are saying nonsense in a meeting without saying it's nonsense" J Watson, Sci Am 288:(4)51
  13. They've already done something similar to this by cpu_fusion · · Score: 4, Funny

    Word is, they've spliced human brain capacity into snakes, 800-pound gorillas, and dinosaurs.

  14. Yay by darllikesdong · · Score: 2, Funny

    Can't wait till I start seeing this in my inbox: Enlarge your brain! 100% natural. Safe and effective!