4 ms·

Anyone else envious of mice always being on the cutting edge of science?

HWR_14 3y ago
As I understand it, you can order 400 genetically identical mice very easily. Eliminating confounds, easy access, quick lifespans (for iteration) and mammals with at least some transferability to humans is the primary reason. Plus, unlike monkeys, no one cares.
- Someone 3y ago
  > you can order 400 genetically identical mice very easily. And in many variants, for example one’s likely to be diabetic, get Alzheimer’s disease, etc. If you want to know more of mouse dystopia, visit https://www.jax.org/jax-mice-and-services https://www.jax.org/jax-mice-and-services > Plus, unlike monkeys, no one cares. Animal welfare groups do, as does the law in some (most, I hope) countries. I do, too, but I do realize I benefit from that mouse dystopia, too.
  - aydyn 3y ago
    No one cares = the vast majority of people dont care fyi.
  - HWR_14 3y ago
    Some groups care, and I certainly don't want the mice treated cruelly. But I also am willing to let some mice get experimented on to save human lives. I feel most people are. I've seen protests against and heard about attempts to free lab monkeys. To the best of my knowledge, there are no similar issues around mice in any significant numbers.
nine_k 3y ago
The cutting edge most literally, that is, the scalpel, and other sharp tools. I don't know how enviable is that on average. Most experiments don't end up with a discovery, let alone a discovery of something beneficial.
bartman 3y ago
As a pet rat owner of over 8 years, medical research on rodents actually rarely results in benefits for pets of that species. The main advantage we have found so far is that drug studies done on rats can serve as a reference for safe and potentially effective dosages, as there's very little veterinary literature on rodent care otherwise. All meds for rats are typically repurposed cat, dog or human meds and determining the dose needed for treatment is trial and error more often than not – even in the hands of an experienced vet.
- neom 3y ago
  Came here to say the exact same thing, I'd love for my rats to live even 6 years, I always find it a little disappointing so much research is done on them yet they still live such a short amount of time. I suppose a heart that beats at 320bpm doesn't help... Also: much love to my fellow ratto parents out there, best pet on earth imo.

As I understand it, you can order 400 genetically identical mice very easily. Eliminating confounds, easy access, quick lifespans (for iteration) and mammals with at least some transferability to humans is the primary reason. Plus, unlike monkeys, no one cares.

Someone 3y ago
> you can order 400 genetically identical mice very easily. And in many variants, for example one’s likely to be diabetic, get Alzheimer’s disease, etc. If you want to know more of mouse dystopia, visit https://www.jax.org/jax-mice-and-services https://www.jax.org/jax-mice-and-services > Plus, unlike monkeys, no one cares. Animal welfare groups do, as does the law in some (most, I hope) countries. I do, too, but I do realize I benefit from that mouse dystopia, too.
- aydyn 3y ago
  No one cares = the vast majority of people dont care fyi.
- HWR_14 3y ago
  Some groups care, and I certainly don't want the mice treated cruelly. But I also am willing to let some mice get experimented on to save human lives. I feel most people are. I've seen protests against and heard about attempts to free lab monkeys. To the best of my knowledge, there are no similar issues around mice in any significant numbers.

nine_k 3y ago

The cutting edge most literally, that is, the scalpel, and other sharp tools. I don't know how enviable is that on average. Most experiments don't end up with a discovery, let alone a discovery of something beneficial.

bartman 3y ago

As a pet rat owner of over 8 years, medical research on rodents actually rarely results in benefits for pets of that species. The main advantage we have found so far is that drug studies done on rats can serve as a reference for safe and potentially effective dosages, as there's very little veterinary literature on rodent care otherwise. All meds for rats are typically repurposed cat, dog or human meds and determining the dose needed for treatment is trial and error more often than not – even in the hands of an experienced vet.

neom 3y ago
Came here to say the exact same thing, I'd love for my rats to live even 6 years, I always find it a little disappointing so much research is done on them yet they still live such a short amount of time. I suppose a heart that beats at 320bpm doesn't help... Also: much love to my fellow ratto parents out there, best pet on earth imo.