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04/12/2004: "Rock On, Yoda"

Yoda, University of Michigan Medical School's oldest mutant mouse, celebrated his fourth birthday today, according to the AP, making him the human equivalent of 136 years old. What a mouse! Click more.. below.

Though genetic modifications affecting his pituitary and thyroid glands have left him a third smaller than average and very sensitive to cold, Yoda is still mobile, sexually active and "looking good," said Dr. Richard A. Miller, associate director of research at the school's geriatrics center. Not too bad, since the average lab mouse lives only slightly more than half Yoda's age.

Yoda lives in a carefully maintained lab with roughly 100 "also ran" male geriatric mice as part of a lifespan study. His cage mate, Princess Leia, is a much larger and, of course, younger female who uses her body heat to keep the mighty mutant warm.

Researchers are studying Yoda to determine how his selectively altered hormone levels have slowed his aging process while maintaining his high quality of life. The doctors hope to figure out how this technology eventually could be applied to human males.

Is this fair to the girls? Well, without exception, the women I interviewed expressed a preference for being hotter, younger, and larger than their mates. So be it.

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