Evolution reversed in mice

[DoYouEverWonder]

7 August 2006

US researchers have taken a mouse back in time some 500 million years by reversing the process of evolution.

By engineering its genetic blueprint, they have rebuilt a gene that was present in primitive animals.

The ancient gene later mutated and split, giving rise to a pair of genes that play a key role in brain development in modern mammals.

The scientists say the experiments shed light on how evolution works and could lead to new gene therapy techniques.

"We are first to reconstruct an ancient gene," said co-researcher Petr Tvrdik of the University of Utah. "We have proven that from two specialised modern genes, we can reconstruct the ancient gene they split off from.

"It illuminates the mechanisms and processes that evolution uses, and tells us more about how Mother Nature engineers life."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/5245950.stm

Ah, just what humanity needs, devolving mice.

[iconoclastic cat]

1. we are not mice

[MercutioATC]

3. Maybe not, but we're, like, 92% banana, aren't we?

I don't think there's that much difference between us and mice, genetically speaking.

[sweetheart]

7. Are you saying our kids look like bananas?

ARe you saying that the collective humanity today is less intelligent
than a cluster of fruits?

Ok you're right. . . agreed! :-)

[Solon]

36. Actually we share about 50% of our DNA with Bananas...

And most likely about 90% or more of our DNA with other Mammals, Chimps being our closest relatives.

[Buns_of_Fire]

37. Works for me. I always knew there was a REASON for this...

[WhiteTara]

38. only if we're potted

lol Seriously, IIRC there are only about 19 gene differences between us and cockroaches too.

[DanCa]

4. Dubya is a big rat

Is that why he's more stupid than his old man? I mean evolution is supposed to work forwards :)

[iconoclastic cat]

10. I was looking for, "We are Devo."

Come on, now, pay attention!

[DanCa]

13. Okay let me take a hit of coca -cola.

Ah caffine, that's much better. I am awake now.

[IndianaGreen]

22. Bush is human evolution in reverse

I thought the scientists would have come up with a big prehistoric rat, as big as a large dog.

[billyoc]

2. Say, can you guys do the same thing to the Republican Party?

Help a brother out. ;)

[nam78_two]

5. They seem to be doing that pretty adeptly without any help ;) /nt

[rug]

6. At last a biology conservatives can embrace.

[pitohui]

8. forget 500 my, i'll settle for 30 yrs

share this tech w. the plastic surgeons and they'll make their fortune

[everythingsxen]

9. So, how many sci-fi/horror films start with this premise.....

This seems to be a "good" idea......

:nuke:

[Posteritatis]

15. 'Cause sci-fi and horror films are highly indicative of reality... (n/t)

[everythingsxen]

20. Nyuh huh...

And The Siege was just a movie that just coincidentally happened to come true. (in premise, not in specific events)

Just because something is fiction does not make it an impossible scenario....

I just think that screwing around with genetics too fast will cause bad problems down the line....

[Fridays Child]

11. Many who deny evolution will benefit from the medical advances...

...that result from this research. And they'll continue to deny evolution. :eyes:

[TommyO]

12. The evolved and devolved lab mice

[azurnoir]

18. does this mean they will lay little eggs now? n/t

[BadgerKid]

21. LOL * is Pinky.

Who's the Brain?

[w4rma]

28. Either Cheney or Rove. (nt)

[whistle]

14. That's nothing, republicans have reversed human evolution ...

...by 1 million years

[Crunchy Frog]

16. They've done it in people too.

It's a little known fact that Dubya is the product of a highly successful genetic experiment.

[DoYouEverWonder]

19. LOL

You owe me a keyboard.

[Judi Lynn]

27. Possibly the oddest photo of a President in the world!

I wonder what he was thinking.... Oh, right! Never mind.

[mdelaguna2000]

30. Hahahahahaha

[AnnieBW]

17. The Repugs

Are taking women's rights back 100 years. Is that similar?

[Lindacooks]

23. That experiment is actually pretty cool.

One more nail in the coffin for creation 'science'.

[daleo]

24. Clearly, Satan was in the lab manipulating results

And/or God was testing our faith.

[Lindacooks]

26. Oh yes, I forgot the whacko right "God's testing us" mantra.

Thanks for reminding me!

:)

[sofa king]

25. So they made it watch the 700 Club and listen to Rush, eh?

[symbolman]

29. That's great

NOW we can build a WORSE mousetrap..

This is utterly ridiculous and impossible, everyone knows the earth is only 6000 years old, so if they took a mouse back 500 million years then that mouse would... have ..to be...well..

GOD.

Holy shit, and I just set out mousetraps all over the house.. time to disarm them before the GODMOUSE gets angry..

Maybe "Hitchiker's Guide to the Galaxy" was right, this would seem to prove it, that the universe was nothing more than one big computer/illusion experiment designed by MICE to realize the Meaning of Life itself..

Which of course is 42.

SPOILER ALERT. :)

[HuffleClaw]

31. they created republicans ?

[The2ndWheel]

32. Poor mouse

Nobody ever asks them if they want to be poked and prodded...or genetically altered. But hey, all in the name of science.

[whosinpower]

33. So...can we finally put it to rest?

Here is the proof that evolution is not just a theory.

[TommyO]

35. That would be nice

but there are far too many people that will cling to illogical fantasy even when the facts are easily understood.

[Dark]

34. Utah REALLY wants to go back to the 'good ole days'. . . n/t