Scientists accidentally create super-vice hamsters in a lab after a gene editing experiment goes wrong and chases, bites and knocks each other down aggressive rodents
- Gene editing lab test inadvertently creates hordes of angry hamsters
- Scientists remove key hormone in hopes it will promote animal cooperation
- But it made them wild, prompting them to chase, bite and pin among hamsters
- ‘We [thought] This will reduce aggression. But opposite happened’: exam chief
- ‘We don’t understand the system as we thought we did’, said the professor
Scientists inadvertently breed a multitude of unusually aggressive hamsters after a gene editing experiment to ‘reduce aggression’ went wrong.
the researchers Georgia State University produced new rodenticides without the hormone vasopressin in an effort to increase ‘social communication’ between rodents.
Yet the chemical change drove Syrian hamsters into the wild, triggering fighting inside the cages.
Ultra-vicious hamsters were depicted pinning, biting and chasing each other.
Scientists share images of genetically modified hamsters in their cages
Hamsters are generally social animals with low levels of aggression and ease of cooperation
Lead researcher Professor Elliot Albers said: ‘We guessed’ […] We will reduce both aggression and social communication – but the opposite happened.’
The key hormone Avpr1a was thought to regulate friendship and bonding, with its removal expected to increase harmony between animals.
instead of this, laboratory experiment ‘Higher level of aggression towards other same-sex individuals’ was recorded.
Professor Albers said: ‘We were really surprised at the results.’
it was thought that Vasopressin affects hamsters’ social behavior, including aggression and communication.
CRISPR is a gene editing technique in which scientists can ‘snip’ a part of someone’s DNA
To investigate further, the scientists disabled Avpr1a, removing a receptor that interacts with vasopressin in key areas of the brain.
Now being immune to the hormone, it was thought that the rodents would become friendlier.
The results were anything but with an increased frequency of fighting, biting, chasing and pinning among hamsters in their cages.
The study’s startling findings challenge scientists’ understanding of the relationship between biology and behavior.
The professor said: We don’t understand the system as we thought we did.
‘The counterintuitive findings tell us that we should start thinking about the functions of these receptors throughout brain circuits, not just specific brain regions.
‘Growing gene-edited hamsters was not easy. But it is important to understand that the neurocircuitry involved in human social behavior and our model is […] Relevance to human health.’
Professor Albers said the gene editing trials are intended to help find solutions for neuropsychiatric disorders, including autism and depression.
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