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Monkeys With Autism Gene

Monkeys With Autism Gene
Monkeys With Autism Gene

A team of researchers at the Institute of Neuroscience in Shanghai have engineered monkeys to have a human autism gene in the hope that they can find a treatment for the condition, according to the scientific journal, Nature. They say the macaques, the second generation to have the gene, showed asocial behavior at 11 months. “This work demonstrated the feasibility and reliability of using genetically engineered non-human primates to study brain disorders,” a statement from the institute read, CNN reported. Until now animal studies of autism have relied on lab mice, far removed from humans in terms of genes and behavior. Alysson Muotri, who doe research on stem cells, autism and Rett’s syndrome at the University of California, San Diego told Nature that “it remains to be seen if the model can actually generate novel insights into the human condition.”

Financialtribune.com