![\"Chinese](\"https:\/\/wp-assets.futurism.com\/2019\/04\/chinese-scientists-super-monkeys-human-brain-genes-300x158.png\")
<\/div>Big Brain<\/h2>
For the first time, scientists have used gene-editing techniques to make monkey brains more humanlike.<\/p>
The monkeys, rhesus macaques, got smarter — they had superior memories to unaltered monkeys, according to recently-published research<\/a> that’s kicked off a fiery debate among ethicists about how far scientists should be able to take genetic experimentation.<\/p> The team of Chinese scientists edited the human version of a gene called MCPH1<\/em> into the macaques. The new gene made the monkeys’ brains develop along a more human-like timeline<\/a>. The gene-hacked monkeys had better reaction times and enhanced short-term memories compared to their unaltered peers, according to China Daily<\/em><\/a>.<\/p> <\/a><\/p> But not everyone is on board.<\/p> “The use of transgenic monkeys to study human genes linked to brain evolution is a very risky road to take,” University of Colorado geneticist James Sikela told the MIT Technology Review<\/em>. “It is a classic slippery slope issue and one that we can expect to recur as this type of research is pursued.”<\/p> Pinpointing the gene’s role in intelligence could help scientists understand how humans evolved to be so smart, MIT Tech<\/em> reports.<\/p> While altering one gene to enhance memory in some macaques won’t throw Darwinism off-kilter — there’s no risk of a “Planet of the Apes”-style uprising, yet — it could teach us how humanity became so intelligent and gives us hints as to why.<\/p> READ MORE:<\/strong> Chinese scientists have put human brain genes in monkeys—and yes, they may be smarter<\/a> [MIT Technology Review<\/em>]<\/p> More on gene editing: <\/strong>Scientist Who Gene-Hacked Babies “Likely” Boosted Their Brainpower<\/a><\/em><\/p> The post Chinese Scientists Gene-Hacked Super Smart Human-Monkey Hybrids<\/a> appeared first on Futurism<\/a>.<\/p> See the article here: Big Brain For the first time, scientists have\u00a0used gene-editing techniques to make monkey brains more humanlike. The monkeys, rhesus macaques, got smarter \u2014 they had superior memories to unaltered monkeys, according to recently-published research that\u2019s kicked off a fiery debate among ethicists about\u00a0how far scientists should be able to take genetic experimentation Continue reading Cognitive Gap<\/h2>
Evolutionary Roadmap<\/h2>
Chinese Scientists Gene-Hacked Super Smart Human-Monkey Hybrids<\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"