Animals
have been used for scientific research since about 300 BCE, but modern
biomedical research since the mid-1800s has focused on the use of model
organisms. Model organisms are chosen for a variety of reasons:
reproductive rate, size, ease of manipulation, information payout
potential, and a biological homologue to humans.
The strains of animals used for testing are thoroughly inbred, which
eliminates
genetic uncertainty with the researcher. If, say, a mouse is
manipulated in one fashion, all changes can be noted and attributed to
that change, without worry that an unknown underlying condition skewed
results. These conditions cannot be found in humans, making animals the
better choice to study the early stages of potential medical therapies.
Over the last 150 years, model organisms have helped scientists
understand the cell cycle, cancer emergence and proliferation, genetics,
development, pharmaceutical efficacy, DNA synthesis, disease, behavior,
circadian rhythms, and aging -- to name a few.
Cutting-edge
bioinformatics is helping scientists with the advent of computer
programs that can translate mRNA and build 3D models based on
biochemical properties. Some of the rough trial and error can occur on
the computer interface, which reduces experiment time and animal usage.
However, this technology is new and limited. A living organism is still
necessary to confirm the computer’s findings and continue with
developing a human application.
Though some may find it cruel
to use animals for biomedical research, strict animal husbandry laws
protect animals-particularly vertebrates- and ensure humane living
conditions and treatment. Most of what has been learned in the last 150
years would have been impossible without the use of these model
organisms.
For more information:
http://www.goddardlab.com/
http://www.nigms.nih.gov/
Photo credit: nirojsbioblog.blogspot.com
Animals
have been used for scientific research since about 300 BCE, but modern
biomedical research since the mid-1800s has focused on the use of model
organisms. Model organisms are chosen for a variety of reasons:
reproductive rate, size, ease of manipulation, information payout
potential, and a biological homologue to humans.
The strains of animals used for testing are thoroughly inbred, which
The strains of animals used for testing are thoroughly inbred, which
eliminates
genetic uncertainty with the researcher. If, say, a mouse is
manipulated in one fashion, all changes can be noted and attributed to
that change, without worry that an unknown underlying condition skewed
results. These conditions cannot be found in humans, making animals the
better choice to study the early stages of potential medical therapies.
Over the last 150 years, model organisms have helped scientists understand the cell cycle, cancer emergence and proliferation, genetics, development, pharmaceutical efficacy, DNA synthesis, disease, behavior, circadian rhythms, and aging -- to name a few.
Cutting-edge bioinformatics is helping scientists with the advent of computer programs that can translate mRNA and build 3D models based on biochemical properties. Some of the rough trial and error can occur on the computer interface, which reduces experiment time and animal usage. However, this technology is new and limited. A living organism is still necessary to confirm the computer’s findings and continue with developing a human application.
Though some may find it cruel to use animals for biomedical research, strict animal husbandry laws protect animals-particularly vertebrates- and ensure humane living conditions and treatment. Most of what has been learned in the last 150 years would have been impossible without the use of these model organisms.
For more information:
http://www.goddardlab.com/
http://www.nigms.nih.gov/
Photo credit: nirojsbioblog.blogspot.com
Over the last 150 years, model organisms have helped scientists understand the cell cycle, cancer emergence and proliferation, genetics, development, pharmaceutical efficacy, DNA synthesis, disease, behavior, circadian rhythms, and aging -- to name a few.
Cutting-edge bioinformatics is helping scientists with the advent of computer programs that can translate mRNA and build 3D models based on biochemical properties. Some of the rough trial and error can occur on the computer interface, which reduces experiment time and animal usage. However, this technology is new and limited. A living organism is still necessary to confirm the computer’s findings and continue with developing a human application.
Though some may find it cruel to use animals for biomedical research, strict animal husbandry laws protect animals-particularly vertebrates- and ensure humane living conditions and treatment. Most of what has been learned in the last 150 years would have been impossible without the use of these model organisms.
For more information:
http://www.goddardlab.com/
http://www.nigms.nih.gov/
Photo credit: nirojsbioblog.blogspot.com
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