Scientists observed long ago that the singing behavior of birds had similarities with human speech. The ability to learn vocal expression is unique to humans, and, it was noted, certain song birds such as the zebra finch. Now Dr. Erich Jarvis, an associate professor of neurobiology at the Duke University Medical School is just one of the researchers further studying this area, and making significant discoveries, such as the fact that birds and humans use essentially the same genes to speak. After identifying the genes responsible for speech defects, it may be possible in the future to repair speech and other disorders.
