The animal gene FOXP2 is involved in the development of language skills, however only humans contain key evolutionary changes in the gene. Scientists state that these changes are perhaps the reason why humans are the only animals able to communicate by multiple languages. Researches found a mutated copy of FOXP2 in a British family with a history of severe language disorders, they struggled to understand language and found it hard to speak.
A team of German researchers bred mice with the human version of FOXP2, attempting to discover the function of the gene. The team compared the traits of the transgenic mice with the traits of the normal mice and found differences in neuron production and ultrasonic calls. One German researcher states that the transgenic mice vocalisations are, “...at best similar to babies’ cries.” However they are still unsure as to how these results relate directly to human speech.
New Scientist http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn17206-human-speech-gene-gives-mouse-a-baritone-squeak.html
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