The Ear-Shaped Experiment
In 1996, a laboratory mouse became famous for having what appeared to be a human ear on its back. The “ear” was actually a cartilage structure shaped like an ear, grown using cow cartilage cells seeded into a biodegradable mold. The mold was implanted under the mouse’s skin, with an external splint maintaining the ear shape as the cartilage grew.
The Scientists Behind It
The experiment was conducted by Charles A. Vacanti, Linda Griffith, and Joseph P. Vacanti at Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, and MIT. They used a nude mouse, an immunocompromised strain, to prevent transplant rejection. The work built on earlier research in cartilage regeneration and tissue engineering.
Public Controversy
Photos of the mouse, taken after briefly removing the splint, sparked global fascination and misinformation. Many believed it was a fully functional human ear, leading to protests against genetic engineering—even though no genetic manipulation was involved.
The Mouse’s Fate
Joseph Vacanti humorously claimed the mouse lived a “happy, normal life” after the ear was removed. However, standard lab protocols required the mouse to be euthanized, as noted in the original research paper.
In 1996, a lab mouse made headlines for growing what looked like a human ear on its back. This bizarre experiment, blending science and spectacle, sparked global fascination and controversy.🧵👇 pic.twitter.com/hTYcp8pUQX
— Detective Tiger's Stories (@TigerDetective) March 5, 2025