Why are experiments conducted on mice? - briefly
Mice share genetic and physiological characteristics with humans, enabling results to be translated to human biology. Their short lifespan, high reproductive rate, and low maintenance costs make them practical for controlled laboratory research.
Why are experiments conducted on mice? - in detail
Mice serve as the primary animal model for biomedical research because their biological systems share a high degree of genetic and physiological similarity with humans. Approximately 85 % of human genes have functional counterparts in the mouse genome, allowing researchers to extrapolate findings from murine studies to human health.
Key practical advantages include:
- Rapid reproduction – a gestation period of three weeks and large litter sizes enable generation of statistically robust cohorts within months.
- Short lifespan – the average mouse lives two to three years, permitting observation of disease progression and therapeutic effects across an entire life cycle in a compressed timeframe.
- Cost efficiency – housing, feeding, and maintenance expenses are considerably lower than those for larger mammals, facilitating large‑scale experiments.
- Genetic manipulability – techniques such as CRISPR‑Cas9, transgenic insertion, and gene knockout are well‑established, providing precise control over specific genetic variables.
- Standardized strains – inbred lines produce genetically uniform populations, reducing variability and enhancing reproducibility of results.
These attributes make mice especially suitable for modeling complex conditions such as cancer, neurodegeneration, metabolic disorders, and infectious diseases. Researchers can introduce disease‑relevant mutations, monitor phenotypic outcomes, and assess the efficacy and safety of candidate drugs before human trials.
Regulatory frameworks often require preclinical testing in a mammalian species before approving clinical studies. Mice fulfill this requirement while offering a balance between scientific validity and ethical considerations. Their small size and well‑characterized anatomy allow for minimally invasive imaging and longitudinal sampling, further reducing the number of animals needed for conclusive data.
Overall, the combination of genetic relevance, experimental tractability, and regulatory acceptance underpins the extensive use of mice in scientific investigations aimed at understanding disease mechanisms and developing therapeutic interventions.