God help us. Scientists have combined human brain cells with mice brain cells.
To Make Mice Smarter, Add A Few Human Brain Cells.
Have Hollywood and famous literature taught us nothing???
The Rats of Nimh. The Island of Dr. Moreau. Frankenstein. Bride of Frankenstein. And my favorite-
To quote Dr. Susan McCallister (Saffron Burrows) from Deep Blue Sea- “The shahks gaht smahtah.”
Ooh, I can’t resist - you know it’s the best unintentionally hilarious scene from any move… evah…
Oh those poor pathetic mice, infected with that awful human condition we call self awareness. The horror. Think of those poor mice worrying. Wondering. Asking questions.
I’m seriously opposed to this. Don’t be sticking human brain cells in beasts. As if we don’t have enough to be concerned about, what with the impending creation of Skynet. Now we have to give serious consideration to Planet of the Apes. For reals boys and girls.
Best scene ever!!!!!!!!!! Haaaa! I totally love this movie!
I only wish I’d been there when Sam Jackson first read the script. “Monologue, uh huh, good, serious, moving, then a shar- Wait? What?”
Mice are pretty smart without any human help. This truly can only go one way. Sigh.
Now I’m undecided is this scene or Snakes On A Plane, Samuel Jackson’s finest moment?
This one, Kat!
I know, Jaye. Funny! And yes, this experiment is headed down a dark dark road.
Hey Penny - but what about the poor mice??? And yeah, best scene evah!
Hi Julia,
Thanks for commenting on Novel Travelist.
I am a biological research scientist (immunology) and work with several neuroscientists. I realize your post and fears of “Smart mice” is not entirely serious.
In fact I enjoyed it, thanks for the laugh.
But I did want you to know why this sort of research is done. There are many diseases that affect the brain and particular brain cells, like autism, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and schizophrenia. A researcher’s goal is to understand how damage occurs to a particular brain cell, like an astrocyte. However we obviously can’t experiment on humans. We have several mouse models for the diseases I just mentioned, but the mouse immune system and brain structure is slightly different than a human. In a mouse slightly different molecules, particularly cytokines, will cause different reactions. But the research is great because it guides us toward our answers in humans. Yet, we still can’t experiment on humans. However if we “humanize” a mouse by replacing some of his mouse cells with human cells, then we can study exactly which human molecules have a direct effect on the brain in particular diseases. Then we can develop medicines and attempt to treat the diseases in clinical trials in humans. But have no fear, simply by swapping out a few mouse cells for human cells doesn’t affect their intelligence. They still get lost trying to find the cheese.
Great post.
Sara - thank you so much for stopping by! Yes, I’m not entirely serious, although I am concerned the mice may begin to wonder about their place in the universe, which is a little disconcerting. Wouldn’t wish that on a poor mouse.
I’m a hospice nurse married to a physician so I am aware of how important this research is, especially when it comes to understanding the causes and finding possible cures for diseases like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, M.S., and my least favorite - ALS. My grandfather died of ALS.
I’m so glad you’ve filled in some blanks.
Come visit any time!
I suspect there will always be those researchers (perhaps on the ethical edge) who will want to “just see” what happens if they do…something. Education does not = intelligence or even common sense. Answers we need. But I hope those answers are tempered with thoughts toward the future consequences. We’re already paying for the rash decisions of the past in our food supply chain…
Hey Anny. I do understand we need to experiment with mice. It is a little disconcerting tho!
Hmmm, the mouse was probably smarter before.
Ah, poor mouse.
LOL to Sandra - Yes, the mouse probably was smarter before accepting human brain cells. Ha-ha.
In response to Anny and anyone concerned about mice, please understand that any animal research, even mouse research, is heavily monitored by the government. Any animal experiment has to be proposed at least 2 months in advance and approved by a committee of vets, researchers and laymen. It’s such a pain in the arse that a “just see” experiment is never worth it, and would never get approved. So fear not, the mice have a very protective army.
But the food industry… Well that’s a whole big Frankensteined mess.
Ah, Sara… the food industry… now there’s a can of worms I won’t touch with a ten foot pole. I do love little mices - ever since we had our pet mouse, Chocolate. He was a great mouse.