Animals are good research subjects for various reasons when conducting scientific studies. They serve as models representing some aspects of a biological phenomenon to study. They are also biologically similar to humans and are susceptible to many of the health problems that we encounter.
In the U.S. alone, it is estimated that tens of millions of animals are being used in laboratory experiments every year. Using animals in experiments is legal, although some species are more suitable for a specific study. Here are some of the commonly used animals in scientific research.
1. Non-human Primates
More than 110,000 non-human primates are held in research laboratories, with macaques making up the majority. Other species include baboons, owl monkeys, marmosets, vervet monkeys, and squirrel monkeys.
According to the Scientific Committee on Health and Environmental Risks, non-human primates have close similarities to humans. This makes them suitable for the safety testing of new pharmaceutical products and other biomedical research areas.
2. Mice and Rats
The vast majority of animals used in biomedical research are mice. Most of them have been purposely bred for testing, although they are not protected under the Animal Welfare Act (AWA), unlike primates, dogs, and rabbits.
Many mice and rats are available as specific strains to model human disease and express genetic traits. In general biomedical research, mice and rats are used not to answer a particular scientific question but simply to investigate their body and how their organ systems function.
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3. Rabbits
Rabbits are commonly used in testing cosmetics, although they can also be used in chemical testing. In basic and biomedical research, these animals are models for disorders and diseases of the skin, eyes, heart, and immune system. They are also chosen as subjects in producing polyclonal antibodies, widely used for various research and diagnostic purposes. Regarding medical products like vaccines, rabbits are used for testing pyrogenicity, or the ability of the product to induce a fever.
4. Guinea Pigs and Hamsters
Most Americans consider hamsters and guinea pigs companion animals, but they are also two of the most extensively used species in research. In 2021, almost 200,000 guinea pigs and more than 105,000 hamsters were held in laboratories, according to U.S. Department of Agriculture data.
Guinea pigs are used for testing allergy, toxicity, and drug safety, while hamsters are chosen as models for infectious diseases. Genetically altered hamsters are also used in studying heart disease, immunotherapy, muscular dystrophy, and epilepsy.
5. Farmed Animals
Some research laboratories used farmed animals such as pigs, sheep, cows, and goats. Farmed animals are used in studying agricultural methods and human health problems and as bioreactors for generating biological products for all kinds of research and testing. Farmed animal species also serve as models of human disease, for research in genetic engineering, and for testing medical devices. They are also the subject of agriculture-related food and fiber research, although the Animal Welfare Act does not cover species used for this purpose.
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