Ratatouille come true?

Disney/PIXAR©

So Laboratory for symbolic cognitive development and biolinguistics at Brain Science Institute in Japan have found that even rodents - in this case Degu (Octodon Degus) - can be trained to use tools.

They have recently published an article “Tool-use Training in a Species of Rodent: The Emergence of an Optimal Motor Strategy and Functional Understanding” on PLoS ONE, an online science magazine.

According to the article, degus - rodent native to Peru - when given a T-shaped stick, used it to move closer the food that was out of reach.

Significance of this finding is that the study of such cognitive function and development in rodents will provide us with insights into the mechanisms of cognitive function in general. In other words, by studying how these degus learn to use tools, we can deepen our understanding of how our brain functions.

In addition, with rodents the scientists will be able to directly study the development of cranial nerves and DNA without the troubles of keeping and hurting primate for research purposes.

…which brings up the question of the value of life, whether or not it should be considered relative to the level of intelligence.

 

 

…but maybe not tonight.