Biology Findings/Experiments

I think it is cool how nearly every week, scientists find a new gene that is linked to a specific human trait. In a study on laboratory mice, Neurobiologist, Steven Thomas, and molecular biologist, Richard Palmiter, tested if genes could be responsible for the nurturing traits of a mother. Laboratory mice are usually very attentive parents their pups, regularly checking up on them and making sure they are fed and warm. In the study, Thomas and Palmiter inactivated the gene in mice responsible for preparing them for motherhood. When the pups were born, the mother did not pay any attention to them. The female left the babies scattered around the cage, resulting in the death of 3 out of four of the babies. The surviving pups were given to foster mothers, where 85% of the pups continued to survive.

I think it really fascinating how there can be certain genes that contribute to traits like mothering or nurturing. I guess it makes sense that your brain be "programmed" or prepared for motherhood before the baby is actually born. I guess there's new meaning behind a "mother's intuition."