[Adama]

The game of "cat and mouse" may never be the same after this. Some Japanese scientists have used genetic engineering to create mice that show no fear of cats. This development may shed new light on certain behavior in mammals and the nature of fear itself.


At the University of Tokyo, scientists have said that they were able to successfully switch off a mouse's instinct to cower when they smell or see a cat - showing that fear is genetically hardwired and not a learned response through experience, as is commonly believed.

Team Leader, K. Kobayakawa says "Mice are naturally terrified of cats and usually panic or flee at the smell of one. But mice with certain nasal cells removed through genetic engineering didn't display any fear." In his experiment, the genetically altered mice approached cats, played with them and even snuggled up to them. Kobayakawa said he chose domesticated cats that were docile and less likely to pounce.

He said his findings, published last month in Nature, the science magazine, should help researchers shed further light on how the brain processes information about the outside world.

At the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology in Seoul, Kim Dae-soo, a Neural Genetics Professor who was not involved in the research, said Kobayakawa's research could explain further what fear is, and how to control it. "People have thought mice are fearful of cats because cats prey on them, but that's not the case" he said.

He also said "If we follow the pathway of related signals in the brain, I think we could discover what kind of networks in the brain are important for controlling fear."

This is my issue with this development. If they can do this with mice, are they going to remove from human beings the ability to fight or flight? that is the reason for fear after all. When confronted with insurmountable, terrifying obstacles, it is our choice to either fight or flee, isn't it?

So my question is: What's next? Are they going to genetically alter human beings to create an army of fearless soldiers? Is Artificial Intelligence going to take over your brain, your life, etc.?... If that's the case, Heaven help us all.

Are we going forwards or backwards here? What's YOUR take on this issue?



ps: Sorry for posting this on Answer Line. When I went to create this thread, News Discussion was nowhere to be found. Moderators: If you can, feel free to move it to News Discussion. Thanks.

[kj4k]

Messing with genes and genetic makeup is like editing your registry.

I don't recommend it.

To answer your question, I think we as a civilization are taking a step forward.

Although, not forward in the positive manner, but in the negative manner.

We are creating so much trouble and chaos, that we are digging our own grave.

[Adama]

kj4k said:

Messing with genes and genetic makeup is like editing your registry.
I don't recommend it.

To answer your question, I think we as a civilization are taking a step forward.
Although, not forward in the positive manner, but in the negative manner.
We are creating so much trouble and chaos, that we are digging our own grave.

Hi, kj. Thanks for dropping by this thread. I couldn't agree with you more. I think we also need to remember that we are NOT the makers of Life.

!http://forums.pcworld.com/legacyimages/
1!

I think that when we're done with this Earth, we are gonna have to answer in a major way, to the Big Guy upstairs.

[kj4k]

Thanks for dropping by this thread.

No problem Adama. :D

What get's me is that people don't recognize what was given to us humans.

This world, the Earth is something magnificent.

This planet is like a computer and we are the users, we must maintain our environment or it will become unstable.

I don't mean to go all philosophical on you, but I deem this topic of paramount importance.

I think we also need to remember that we are NOT the makers of Life.

I could not say it better myself and I cannot agree with you any more.

You, I and any other human being have no right taking or tampering with the life of another.

We were all made equal, but our greed have tipped the scale of life and we have made this world what it is today.

We only have ourselves to blame.

[Adama]

I don't know if anybody said this to you when you first came into these forums, if not, let me be the first one to do so: Welcome to PCWorld.

A big, resounding Amen to everything you said. And you can go philosophical any time, kj.

I've seen a bumper sticker that says: Earth does not belong to us, We are the keepers of our Mother... or something to that effect. It makes you think, doesn't it?
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!http://forums.pcworld.com/legacyimages/
1! The Universe rearranges itself to accommodate your picture of reality!

[kj4k]

I'm a positive kind of guy, but if you've been reading my posts on this particular thread you'd most likely think otherwise.

I'm sorry to come of that way, I do apologize.

I don't know if anybody said this to you when you first came into these forums, if not, let me be the first one to do so: Welcome to PCWorld.

Yes, mphenterprises has welcomed me to PC World, but your welcome is also much appreciated! B-)

A big, resounding Amen to everything you said. And you can go philosophical any time, kj.

Thanks my man, but I'd hold of on going all Plato on these forums. :^0

I've seen a bumper sticker that says: Earth does not belong to us, We are the keepers of our Mother... or something to that effect. It makes you think, doesn't it?

Yes, it really does make you think that most of us can't even maintain our own home, and you expect 6.3 billion (and growing) to maintain this beautiful Earth?

There's still hope to turn things around, but with the recent alarming rates of growing population, pollution, and corruption, it seems as if hope is slim.

I don't want to bash anyone, or any particular group of people, but the world leaders who have political and military power can utilize their authority to spark reform in an Earthly, positive manner.

Instead, they fight for more power and money.

Wel, I have news for you, if you ruin the Earth, all your power and money will mean nothing.

You will have no one to rule and your money will be amongst the rank of rocks: worthless.

[Adama]

> Thanks my man, but I'd hold of on going all Plato on these forums. :^0


There's still hope to turn things around, but with the recent alarming rates of growing population, pollution, and corruption, it seems as if hope is slim.
[/quote]


Hi, again, kj. First off, I'm a lady. !http://forums.pcworld.com/legacyimages/
1!

And, I think Plato would be turning over in his grave if he knew how we misuse words in this Country. LOL

There's always Hope, that's what keeps a lot of us still on this beautiful Planet. Whether we know it or not, whether we acknowledge it or not, there IS a Divine Plan and things will work out according to how it was originally intended to be... But I'm not going Metaphysical on you, just sharing what's on my mind.

And, if I know Moderator, he might come in and tell you of the forum rules and advise you about political stuff.

Thank you again for dropping in and enjoy your journey into these forums. :D

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The Universe rearranges itself to accommodate your picture of reality!