Are scientific studies that use lab rats to conclude or confirm an outcome or prediction for humans accurate?
By Starmaiden
@Starmaiden (9311)
Canada
May 4, 2018 10:12am CST
I ask this because there are many differences between the anatomy/biology of rats and humans. For instance, there are many foods and drinks that humans can consume without incident that are lethal to rats and other animals.
The same with ingredients in certain medications. There are also differences in brain patterns and functions of rats as compared with humans.
I have noticed over the years that some studies that claim that "such and such" can cause cancer in humans is later proven to be untrue. The opposite, actually. This happens more often than not.
Should we believe and readily accept the conclusions of these "studies"?
4 people like this
6 responses
@crossbones27 (48480)
• Mojave, California
4 May 18
I think not, Rats are highly adaptable clearly, but if you want to know what happens to humans on certain things, have to test humans, not rats. They just use the moral narrative its more humane to do on rats and not humans. Both are pretty bad but at least humans have a choice where rats do not.
1 person likes this
@crossbones27 (48480)
• Mojave, California
4 May 18
@Starmaiden Very true, Monkeys and apes is really the only thing that matches because we kind of evolved from them no matter how much that pisses people off. No you are not better, sorry, just more evolved and the way they act sometimes that makes you question. 
1 person likes this
@Starmaiden (9311)
• Canada
4 May 18
I don't trust that science can provide accurate studies regarding humans unless they study humans or even other primates. 
1 person likes this
@Namelesss (3368)
• United States
4 May 18
The perfect choice for study is of course humans. But that's mostly illegal so...
1 person likes this
@Starmaiden (9311)
• Canada
4 May 18
Some people donate their body to science, but it would work better if the person was alive. For intelligence studies they should use whales or dolphins.
1 person likes this
@Srbageldog (7716)
• United States
4 May 18
I've often wondered this. As you pointed out, rats and mice have very different anatomy than we do. I am not sure how accurate these studies are.
@RasmaSandra (73743)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
4 May 18
It is hard to know for sure. usually when I want to check on something I search on the site How Stuff Works you might be interested in this link
Rats! They're just like family. Evolutionarily, anyway. So when it comes to research and biomedical study, what can they do for us?
@mlgen1037 (29886)
• Manila, Philippines
4 May 18
I think that is a good question, Lucinda. How can they conclude that if it is safe in rats, it is safe in humans?
