Scientists breed mouse that can tweet

TOKYO: Japanese scientists say they have bio-engineered a mouse that can tweet like a bird.

A team of researchers at Osaka University under the Evolved Mouse Project have been using genetically modified mice for generations to see what would happen, and came upon the 'tweeting' mouse by accident.

The project uses mice because the creatures are said to be prone to having their DNA miscopied during the genetic modification process.

The scientists at the university say they now plan to pass the 'tweeting' trait onto future generations of the rodent.

They also intend to study the mouse in the same way songbirds are studied and hope it may provide clues on how human language evolved.