Scientists accidentally create super-vicious hamsters in a lab after the gene editing experiment goes wrong and causes aggressive rodents to chase, bite, and stare at each other.
- Genetic editing lab test inadvertently causes a horde of rabies-fed hamsters
- Scientists removed the key hormone in hopes of boosting animal cooperation
- But he turned them wild, causing them to chase, bite and stick between hamsters
- ‘We [thought] it would reduce aggression. But the opposite happened ‘: no evidence
- “We don’t understand this system as well as we thought,” the professor added
By Adam Solomons for Mailonline
Posted: 09:15, 4 June 2022 | Updated: 9:35 AM, June 4, 2022
Scientists inadvertently bred a horde of unusually aggressive hamsters after a gene-editing experiment to “reduce aggression” failed.
Researchers at Georgia State University produced new vasopressin-free rodents in an effort to increase “social communication” between rodents.
However, the chemical change turned the Syrian hamsters into savages, causing fights inside the cages.
Ultraviolet hamsters were photographed staring, biting and chasing each other.
The scientists shared images of the genetically modified hamsters going into their cages
Hamsters are usually social animals with low levels of aggression and ease of cooperation
Professor Elliott Albers, principal investigator, said: “We anticipated […] we would reduce both aggression and social communication, but the opposite happened ”.
The main hormone Avpr1a was thought to regulate friendship and bonds, and its elimination was expected to increase harmony between animals.
In contrast, the laboratory experiment recorded “high levels of aggression toward other individuals of the same sex.”
Professor Albers said: “We were very surprised by the results.”
Vasopressin was thought to affect the social behaviors of hamsters, including aggression and communication.
CRISPR is a gene editing technique in which scientists can “cut” a section of someone’s DNA.
To further investigate, the scientists turned off Avpr1a, removing a receptor that interacts with vasopressin in key regions of the brain.
Now immune to the hormone, it was thought that rodents would become more friendly.
The results were anything but, with a high frequency of fights, biting, chasing and trapping between hamsters in their cages.
The study’s surprising findings challenge scientists’ understanding of the relationship between biology and behavior.
The teacher added: We do not understand this system as well as we thought.
“Counterintuitive findings tell us that we need to start thinking about the actions of these receptors across entire brain circuits, not just specific regions of the brain.
“Developing genetically edited hamsters was not easy. But it is important to understand that the neurocircuit involved in human social behavior and our model has […] relevance to human health. ‘
Professor Albers said gene editing tests are aimed at helping find solutions to neuropsychiatric disorders such as autism and depression.
HOW DOES CRISPR DNA EDITING WORK?
The CRISPR gene editing technique is being used more and more in health research because it can change the basic components of the body.
Basically, CRISPR works as a DNA clipping and pasting operation.
Technically called CRISPR-Cas9, the process involves sending new strands of DNA and enzymes to organisms to edit their genes.
In humans, genes act as blueprints for many body processes and characteristics: they dictate everything from eye and hair color to whether or not you have cancer.
The components of CRISPR-Cas9, the DNA sequence and the enzymes needed to implant it, are often sent to the body in the back of a harmless virus so that scientists can control where they are going.
Cas9 enzymes can then cut DNA strands, effectively inactivating a gene, or remove sections of DNA to replace them with CRISPRs, which are new sections sent to change the gene and have an effect that has been preprogrammed to produce .
But the process is controversial because it could be used to change babies in the womb, initially to treat diseases, but it could lead to an increase in “design babies,” as doctors offer ways to change the DNA of embryos.
Source: Broad Institute