Chinese Scientists Create ‘Smarter’ Monkeys with Human Brain Gene

To understand human evolutionary, Chinese scientists created transgenic monkeys with extra copies of a human gene.

In an effort to understand the evolutionary process of humans, Chinese scientists have created transgenic macaque monkeys with extra copies of a human gene that is suspected to be playing a role in shaping human intelligence.

Bing Su, the geneticist from Kunming Institute of Zoology who led the experiment told MIT Technology Review:

“This was the first attempt to understand the evolution of human cognition using a transgenic monkey model.”

Bing Su, Geneticist, Kunming Institute of Zoology

Eight such monkeys were generated to take part in a series of experiments involving MRI scans and computerised memory tests. Each monkey has two and nine copies of the human gene, MCPH1, which expresses itself highest during the prenatal stage of brain development.

What Were the Findings?

The results of the gene-editing experiment, published by the National Science Review, revealed that the modified monkeys did not have bigger brain sizes. The introduction of the gene didn’t cause any changes in general behavior as well, such as self-injury, feeding or grooming.

However, they did show enhanced short-term memory as compared to wild rhesus monkeys. The creatures did better on a memory test involving colors and block pictures, and like human babies, their brains also took longer to develop.

But, but, but...

Many scientists are of the opinion that the research has been unable to reveal any new secret to the evolutionary process. The study remains inconclusive with just five monkeys for sample.

“Now we have created this animal which is different than it is supposed to be. When we do experiments, we have to have a good understanding of what we are trying to learn, to help society, and that is not the case here,” said Martin Styner, a University of North Carolina computer scientist and specialist in MRI.

Why it Matters?

First reported by China Daily, the experiment has raised several ethical questions. The introduction of the human gene can cause further mutations due to the multiple functions specific genes have. It’s impossible to predict the harm, making the care of the transgenic animals a priority.

In a paper titled, ‘The Ethics of Using Transgenic Non-Human Primates to Study What Makes us Human (2010),” Jacqueline Glover, a University of Colorado bioethicist, says, “You just go to the Planet of the Apes immediately in the popular imagination.”

“To humanise them is to cause harm. Where would they live and what would they do? Do not create a being that can’t have a meaningful life in any context,” she added.