Animals in Genetics Research
Confession time. I am a scientist who has used laboratory animals for research; both human and not. It’s not that I don’t understand what animal rights activists are fighting for, it’s that sometimes I believe human needs supercede animal ones.
Medical research using animals is absolutely necessary for us to understand how biological systems work. Animal models of behavioral genetics were featured in the New York Times this week. Over 30 social behavior genes have been identified in animals like roundworms, flies, mice and voles.
The animals and genes mentioned include:
- Prarie voles - Gene for monogamy and gene for parenting.
- Fruit flies - Gene, fruitless, for courtship behaviors.
- Dogs - Gene in the brain involved in modulating stress.
Scientists try to protect both human and animal rights to the best of their ability.
“The problem with humans is that it is extremely difficult to prove anything,” Dr. Catherine Dulac of Harvard said. “Humans are just not a very good experimental system.”
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POSTED IN: General Genetics and Health
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4 opinions for Animals in Genetics Research
» Implications of the Dog Genome Genetics and Health
Dec 8, 2005 at 9:38 am
[…] Animal models are an indispensible part of understanding genomic function. We may no longer look or act like dogs (most of us, anyway), but there is still much that we share with them underneath the surface. […]
Genetics and Health » Collagen IV α1 and Stroke
Apr 13, 2006 at 1:54 pm
[…] I’m sure animal rights supporters would disagree. I, however, side with Pro-Test. […]
Cotton-Pickin’ Days » Blog Archive » Don’t Dump on Science
Apr 20, 2006 at 7:54 am
[…] In an ideal world, we would conduct a randomized trial in which we forced women to bear children at varying intervals as dictated by scientific protocol. And we’d do every invasive medical test available to determine the biology behind any perinatal outcome we observed. Humans are animals and we support animal testing for the good of humans, right? […]
hoshiar
Jun 16, 2008 at 10:01 pm
I will take exchange for study Can you help me?
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