Meanwhile in Siberia

Since 1959, the Institute of Cytology and Genetics in Russia has been running an experiment to recreate the process of domestication, in order to see if there are genes specifically geared towards domestication factors (ie: retention of juvenile morphological and behavioral traits, dampened aggression, obedience to humans). What humanity has accomplished with dogs over thousands of years, Soviet scientist Dmitri Belyaev sought to accomplish in one human generation.

So far, the prog...more »

Since 1959, the Institute of Cytology and Genetics in Russia has been running an experiment to recreate the process of domestication, in order to see if there are genes specifically geared towards domestication factors (ie: retention of juvenile morphological and behavioral traits, dampened aggression, obedience to humans). What humanity has accomplished with dogs over thousands of years, Soviet scientist Dmitri Belyaev sought to accomplish in one human generation.

So far, the program has come close (the foxes are 'emotional' and seek out human companionship, play, etc), but they still lack the inherent obedience that domesticated dogs possess. The program is in financial trouble, but Lyudmila Trut and her staff soldier on.

Edit: Baby foxes are called kits, not pups...yes, OP fucked up

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Domesticated_silver_fox - Because you knew that was coming
www.slate.com/articles/health_and_science/science/2012/03/domesticated_foxes_in_siberia_an_experiment_in_peril_.html - Fantastic article about the financial troubles plaguing the program
www.domesticfox.com/ - Want one? Buy one