Scientists Surprised After Gene-Editing Experiment Turn Docile Hamsters Hyper Aggressive: Study

Researchers thought the genetic modification would make hamsters more social and peaceful, but surprisingly, the docile animals became more aggressive

A team of neuroscientists were “genuinely surprised” after gene-editing experiments performed on hamsters turned docile creatures into “aggressive” monsters. Researchers highlighted new research published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS).
Scientists used Syrian hamsters and his CRISPR-Cas9, according to a press release. CRISPR-Cas9 is a revolutionary technology that allows you to switch genes in your cells on or off. This technique turned off vasopressin receptors, a hormone associated with increased aggression.

The research team believed that genetic modification would make hamsters more social and peaceful. But surprisingly, the calm animals became more aggressive. “We were really surprised by the results,” H. Elliott Albers, one of the study’s principal investigators, said in a statement, noting that “eliminating vasopressin activity reduced both aggression and social communication.” I assumed…but the opposite happened.”

The researchers explained that hamsters without receptors exhibited “much higher levels” of social communication behavior than hamsters with intact receptors. We observed that the hamsters exhibited “high levels of aggression” toward other same-sex individuals, thus eliminating typical gender differences seen in aggression. The study found that the behaviors included chasing, biting, and grabbing behaviors.

This suggests a surprising conclusion,” Albers said in a statement. “We know that vasopressin increases social behavior by acting in many brain regions, but its more global effects on Avpr1a receptors may be inhibitory.”

Furthermore, the principal investigator added that the “counterintuitive results” show that scientists “do not understand this system.” said.