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title: ""The very satisfying answer is that the gene did exactly everything…"
date: 2020-06-20
source: facebook
type: Archer T. Ships shared a link.
---

# "The very satisfying answer is that the gene did exactly everything…

*June 20, 2020 · Facebook*

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[https://interestingengineering.com/scientists-grow-bigger-monkey-brains-using-human-genes-replicating-evolution](https://interestingengineering.com/scientists-grow-bigger-monkey-brains-using-human-genes-replicating-evolution){target="_blank"}
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\"The very satisfying answer is that the gene did exactly everything that you could have hoped for.\"\
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The results can be broken down into four sections. By inserting the gene:\
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The size of the monkeys\' neocortex increased\
Folding of the brain, similar to how a human brain is folded was induced\
The relevant pro-generative cell type, which produces neurons, was increased\
Specifically, it increased upper-layer neurons, which are the neurons that increase during evolution\
\"This shows, basically, that the gene --- and its expression in humans --- is sufficient to expand and to fold the primate, or the monkey, brain,\" co-author of the study, Michael Heide said.\
\...\
After about 100 days after the fetus had been growing, the international team unanimously agreed to remove the fetus through a C-section. Bringing a \"new human-gene-influenced monkey into this world would step over the ethical line,\" said Huttner. \"
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