The Chinese have created macaques with the human gene: what has changed

If the global community is negative about genetic experiments with people and most countries condemn such work, then there are no prohibitions on animals. What about introducing human genes into animals? And here everything turned out to be not so simple, from an ethical point of view. Chinese geneticists as a result of their experiments received rhesus monkeys that carry the human gene. According to scientists, the individuals obtained differ from their relatives in the best brain function. But Western experts condemned the genetic experiments, urging Chinese colleagues to refrain from this in the future.

As experimental primates, Chinese researchers from the Kunming Institute of Zoology used rhesus monkeys. And in order to check whether the brain function of these animals can be improved, they introduced the microcephalin gene, which was taken from humans, at the stage of the embryo. According to genetic research, this gene appeared in humans in the process of mutation relatively recently - about 50,000 years ago. Along with other genes, he is responsible for the volume and development of the brain, which still continues to evolve. According to studies, this gene is present in only 70% of the world's population.

It was this gene that Chinese genetics decided to introduce rhesus monkeys to see if changes in the functioning of the brain of primates would occur. It turned out that genetically modified animals really show better performance compared to their usual relatives. As a result of a series of tests, they showed better memory and also a high reaction rate. In addition, the gene also influenced the growth rate of animals - “improved” macaques began to grow more slowly.