Mutated genes account for speech.

August 14, 2002 9:48 PM

Mutated genes account for speech. Evidence now suggest that our ability to speak is based on a slight mutation in a particular gene. The mutation is only slightly off from other animals. What genetic discovery thus far do you think will have the most rewarding results?
posted by mhaw (22 comments total)

Not sure what you mean by rewarding. I find most of it rather frightening really.
posted by Witty at 10:02 PM on August 14, 2002

oops humans
posted by folktrash at 10:07 PM on August 14, 2002

Don't get me wrong... it's absolutely fascinating. It amazes me every day how science continues to simplify the once unexplained. But the meddling, that's where it all goes awry.
posted by Witty at 10:15 PM on August 14, 2002

what a zany fuckup on natures part. oops.
posted by fuq at 10:25 PM on August 14, 2002

[mouse voice]
"Hello Pluto!"
[/mouse voice]

"The next logical step for the researchers is to create a research animal, probably a mouse, that carries the human mutations in FOXP2 [the beneficial 'speech' gene] -- then analyze the animal to see how its brain and behavior are altered....If the mouse talks, then the circumstantial evidence will be pretty good."

Dr. Frankenstein? Meet Walt Disney....

(",)
posted by dash_slot- at 11:20 PM on August 14, 2002

Wouldn't it make more sense to try it out on a chimp ?
posted by zeoslap at 11:29 PM on August 14, 2002

From the looks of the threads i've been seeing, we're going to have a super strong race of talking space mice with sperm on their back and control over large sparkling insects, who will do their bidding. In their free time, they'll be all hopped up on those millipedes. And there will be goats. And squid.
posted by redsparkler at 12:12 AM on August 15, 2002

so genes' mutate eh, well how'd have thought.
posted by johnnyboy at 4:39 AM on August 15, 2002

What's odd about this one is how a gene which starts off as altering the pattern of facial growth should produce language-specific disabilities when it mutates.

Or maybe there's some kind of alternative splicing going on.
posted by alloneword at 4:56 AM on August 15, 2002

Talking monkeys! Talking monkeys! I want talking monkeys!

Of course they'll probably end up in pet shops unsold and terrorizing diminutive, balding proprietos.
posted by plinth at 4:56 AM on August 15, 2002

A Nobel Prize to the scientist who can turn off the gene which compels people to end posts on Mefi with a "what's you opinion?" question.
posted by ParisParamus at 5:01 AM on August 15, 2002

Talking monkeys! Talking monkeys!

Didn't you learn anything from Planet of the Apes?

It's a madhouse. A MAAAAAADHOUSE!!!!
posted by MrBaliHai at 5:14 AM on August 15, 2002

Talking dogs!
posted by pjdoland at 5:34 AM on August 15, 2002

Talking dogs......... who mentioned mariah carey.
posted by johnnyboy at 5:49 AM on August 15, 2002

Didn't you learn anything from Planet of the Apes?
I, for one, welcome our new simian overlords. I'd like to remind them that as a trusted internet personality, I can be helpful in rounding up others to toil in their underground banana caves.
posted by plinth at 7:52 AM on August 15, 2002

Mutated genes? Funny I thought that's what evolution was all about.
posted by dirtylittlemonkey at 9:10 AM on August 15, 2002

I wonder if there is a way to make a concoction that would deprive a coworker or two of this gene.
posted by adampsyche at 9:12 AM on August 15, 2002

I, for one, resist our recent and numerous zoological Overlords. To hell with the lot of them!

(Excepting the coming age of Lobster.)
posted by Spiny Delicacy at 9:35 AM on August 15, 2002

From the looks of the threads i've been seeing, we're going to have a super strong race of talking space mice with sperm on their back and control over large sparkling insects, who will do their bidding. In their free time, they'll be all hopped up on those millipedes. And there will be goats. And squid.

... Don't forget Pancakes...
posted by KnitWit at 10:49 AM on August 15, 2002

From the article: Researchers are likely to try to introduce the genetic mutations into mice as part of their work, but they said many other genetic changes would likely be necessary to produce a talking animal, and several said they doubted anything of the sort would ever be possible, let alone desirable.

Great line.
posted by gsteff at 10:53 AM on August 15, 2002

what about parrots?
posted by mdn at 4:41 PM on August 15, 2002

Chimps have no vocal cords (unless this too can be corrected bwahahahahah!)
posted by xammerboy at 12:55 PM on August 16, 2002