News this morning that science has brought us not a better mousetrap - but a better mouse. This "supermouse" is a genetically modified rodent with extraordinary physical abilities and an appetite to match.
The squeaker can apparently run for hours at 20 metres per minute without getting tired.
It eats up to 60% more food than an ordinary mouse but does not put on weight, it lives longer and is capable of breeding at three times the normal maximum age.
The abilities came about as a result of a standard genetic modification to a single metabolism gene shared with humans, and the American researchers accept that it may be possible to use the findings to develop new drugs to "enhance" the natural ability of athletes.
Helen Wallace, the director of GeneWatch UK, calls the research "disturbing" and says that he creation of mighty mice is "hard to justify ethically since there is no obvious need for the suffering inflicted on these animals". She calls for an independent inquiry into the use of GM and cloned animals in research.
This is an edited extract from the Wrap, our digest of the daily papers.
