Of Voles and Men

The journal Nature, and subsequently the Gainesville Sun, have reported that genetic engineer Larry Young at Emory University has succeeded in transforming males of the eastern vole (Microtus pennsylvanicus) from being promiscuous to being monogamous.

The prairie vole (Microtus orchogaster) is a rare mammal species in that the males are monogamous. The gene responsible for vole monogamy was isolated, multiplied, attached to a virus and injected into the brains of young eastern voles.

As a result, eleven of eleven genetically altered young voles that received the genes from the prairie voles were tested and found to be monogamous. Eastern voles that did not receive the genes (the control group) acted promiscuously.

Since a rare subspecies of the eastern vole was found near Cedar Key, as reported in the last issue of Cedar Key News, one might wonder about the habits of our local voles. More likely, one might wonder what this has to with anyone except the voles.

Consider, however, that many mammal species share identical genes for fundamental components such as hormones and enzymes. Humans and chimpanzees share about ninety-eight percent of the same genes. (What a difference two percent can make.)

Heart disease victims accept transplants of pig heart valves to save their lives. There may come a day when we can avoid Alzheimer's Disease or diabetes with the injection of genes into our brain or pancreas. This editorial is not about voles. It is about what science can do to fight and cure diseases.