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Why are rats not used in laboratory research like mice?
I share my response to a question asked by a reader.
Lab rats
have become the cornerstone of animal research due to their genetic and physiological similarities to humans. Testing on rodents has been ongoing for more than 150 years & the number of rodent-based studies continues to grow.
Studies with rodents address everything from neurology, psychology to drugs & disease—for example, the implants of electronics in rodent brains for testing the addictive properties of cocaine.
The Animal Welfare Act
does not cover 90% of all animals in U.S. laboratories to protect them from cruelty.
For example, researchers & scientists use rats in laboratory research every year.
News reports reveal that inside the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, and the University of Utah, mice, and rats receive infection with painful tumors & deadly illnesses for research studies.
Rats had holes drilled in their skulls for invasive brain experiments. You can obtain more information on this subject through the Freedom of Information Act from the University of California- San Francisco.
Many U.S. laboratories are not subject to Federal Law Regulations. You can make a difference by urging your members of Congress to amend the Animal Welfare Act to protect these little creatures.
Below is an informative video from YouTube — watch it on YouTube for more information.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dSQwnta
Source: peta.org/issues/animals-used-for-experimentation
