Morality and Musical Mice

In Frankenstein’s Cat, Emily Anthes goes into many of the ethical concerns surrounding biotechnology, including the controversy surrounding genetic engineering. She briefly mentions a gene called FOXP2, which is associated with speech and language functions in humans. I was very interested in this gene’s effect when expressed in mice and decided to find some more news on the subject. 

An article on Phys.org called “Of mice and melodies: Research on language gene seeks to uncover the origins of the singing mouse” explains the findings of Stephen Phelps, a researcher at the University of Texas at Austin. The research focuses on a species of Costa Rican mice that communicates through song. These male mice use chirping sounds for displays of dominance, attraction of mates, and long-distance communication. Phelps’ research focuses on the FOXP2 gene and how it differs in these signing mice compared to lab mice and humans.

In humans, a mutation of the FOXP2 gene can cause many language problems and is implicated in language deficits in individuals with autism. As a transcription factor, FOXP2 regulates the expression of other genes. Therefore, a mutation in FOXP2 can cause the malfunction of all the other genes it regulates. As a result, individuals with mutations of FOXP2 show a variety of language deficits: difficulty with grammar and mouth movements needed to speak clearly being two examples. Studying this gene may lead to greater understanding of its role in vocalization.

Emily Anthes describes the research of another lab in Germany that actually engineers lab mice to express the human form of FOXP2. These mice show alterations in their neurons’ size and shape as well as alterations in the sounds they produce.

This research raises ethical concerns for many people.  If we begin altering the cognitive functions of animals using human genes, at what point do these animals become more man than mouse? If this research significantly improves the quality of life of individuals with autism, is the cost of these alterations offset?  Furthermore, how much responsibility do scientists have in ensuring future research in the field does not cross these ethical boundaries? These are ethical grey areas will need to be addressed as biotechnology continues to advance.

Sources:

Anthes, E. (2013). Frankenstein's Cat: Cuddling up to Biotech’s Brave New Beasts. New York, NY: Scientific American / Farrar, Straus and Giroux.

Of mice and melodies: Research on language gene seeks to uncover the origins of the singing mouse. (2012, August 10). In Phys.org. Retrieved October 11, 2013, from http://phys.org/news/2012-08-mice-melodies-language-gene-uncover.html