A question in Genetic concerning the FOXP2 gene?

Question

If the DuPont company can modify the genes in corn to produce more edible fats then why can't we modify the FOXP2 gene in animals to give them the ability to speak?

Answer 1

although foxp2 is involved in speech, there is more to being able to speak than just that one gene, for example, the animal has to have the correct physiology to articulate it's mouth in ways to form words and such

Answer 2

Because speech, like most complex traits is not due to the state of one gene alone (see epistasis).  The ability to speak relies on both correct anatomy and physiology to occur.  Speech in the human sense requires a both a proper larynx and brain coordination along with learned lip and tongue arrangements.  Really, how much could a frog say using positive pressure breathing with a tongue attached at the front?