Mouse model provides clues to human language development

Scientists of the German Mouse Clinic at Helmholtz Zentrum Muenchen have generated and analysed a mouse model in which parts of the human Foxp2 gene were introduced. Foxp2 is known to be a key gene for language. Since the human and chimpanzee lineages diverged, only minimal genetic alterations have occurred, even with reference to the mouse: The alterations, as scientists surmised, are closely associated with speech and language ability. However, proof on a functional level has been lacking until now...

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