Smart mice

I came across a statement that these were accidentally developed by turning off a gene in mouse brains. The suggestion was that this gene made the mice inflexible in new situations, so turning it off improved the success rate of behaviour modification. Does anyone have any information on this?

Originally posted by MissOleum
I came across a statement that these were accidentally developed by turning off a gene in mouse brains. The suggestion was that this gene made the mice inflexible in new situations, so turning it off improved the success rate of behaviour modification. Does anyone have any information on this?

Are you worried they'll beat your cats at chess?

Originally posted by MissOleum
statement that these were accidentally developed by turning off a gene in mouse brains. The suggestion was that this gene made the mice inflexible in new situations, so turning it off improved the success rate of behaviour modification.

I do not know how improved success of behavior modification or improvements in behavior modification implies smarter mice.

I have looked into some of the research regarding human-mouse chimeras. But I expect that this is about something different. Could you please mention the source for the statement and concordant suggestion that you mentioned? Thanks.

Originally posted by Yuga
I do not know how improved success of behavior modification or improvements in behavior modification implies smarter mice.

I have looked into some of the research regarding human-mouse chimeras. But I expect that this is about something different. Could you please mention the source for the statement and concordant suggestion that you mentioned? Thanks.

I haven't seen the paper but removing this "inflexibilty" may have enhanced the ability to make decisions instead of acting autonomously with certain tasks, thus using their brain more.

Just a guess?

Can't find the article I originally saw, but here's another reference:

http://www.physorg.com/news99495055.html

maybe I COULD teach a cat to play chess.
probably wouldn't be any better a player than its teacher though.

I think it is a good and serious question that needs an answer,
why DONT they make mouse flavoured cat food ?

Originally posted by eamon o
I think it is a good and serious question that needs an answer,
why DONT they make mouse flavoured cat food ?

... and mailman butt flavoured dog food?

Originally posted by eamon o
I think it is a good and serious question that needs an answer,
why DONT they make mouse flavoured cat food ?

Probably because they would need some human tasters to get the taste right.

Originally posted by twhitehead
Probably because they would need some human tasters to get the taste right.

Nah. I doubt it.

Originally posted by FabianFnas
... and mailman butt flavoured dog food?

as a marketer, how would you describe the flavour of mailman butt?

Originally posted by MissOleum
I came across a statement that these were accidentally developed by turning off a gene in mouse brains. The suggestion was that this gene made the mice inflexible in new situations, so turning it off improved the success rate of behaviour modification. Does anyone have any information on this?

I think I read about them in the hitch hiker's guide to the galaxy.

Originally posted by twhitehead
Probably because they would need some human tasters to get the taste right.

that answer worries me........

Originally posted by twhitehead
Are you worried they'll beat your cats at chess?

You, mister, win the thread.