Why not try inserting the human FOXP2 into, say... a chimpanzee? Wouldn't that be a much better guide to how this gene influences language?

According to the NYT article, "There is no good way of genetically engineering chimps, even it were ethically acceptable, so the mouse is the testbed of choice, in Dr. Enard%u2019s view."

Is this the real "Secret of the NIMH?"

Discovery channel just ran a Monsterquest episode on NY giant rats too, lol...

Would be interesting to see results.

Maybe the real reason they don't implant chimps is that the chimp might tell us what he thinks of the conditions he's being kept in, and give his opinions on being genetically modified.

What are we going to do tonight, Brain?
Same thing we always do... try to take over the world!

Do we _really_ want talking mice? Aren't we asking for trouble here?

The way I see it, is it's simply connecting autitory organs more directly to the brain.

The brain, being the magical multi-purpose device that it is, might start using whatever it connected to it, to it's benefit.

Just hooking up vocal cords to the brain, is not enough to get you talking however - that would take several generations of conditioning and possibly coordinating with other organs/muscles to get anything useful out of it...

My uninformed 2 cents ;)

And geez, why do u guys have to be so cynical? It would be amazing to have your horse be able to tell you why it's in such a bad mood today... thing is, it's more just about hooking up vocal cords... most animals can already make noises, its probably more about muscle control - and search on Youtube - it's just uncanny how certain dogs' barks sound like words and sentences when you play it in slow motion. There is one movie clip of a dog that speaks whole sentences, when played in slow motion... Super eerie!!

Point is, you don't need words to communicate.