In The Beginning, We Were Ordinary Street Rats...

"We can no longer live as rats. We know too much."

- Nicodemus, The Secret of NIHM

Wild stuff.  Tuesday's China Post reported that scientists have spliced one (among many) human speech genes into mice:

Intriguingly enough, the genetically altered mice also have "qualitative differences in ultra-sonic vocalizations" they use when placed outside the comfort of their mother's nests.  In other words, they squeak differently from other baby mice.

Meanwhile, New Scientist reports the new mice are the rodent equivalent of baritones.  There are some brain changes, too.

(Mrs. Brisby & Nicodemus image from Babs Sweet World blog)