Animals in Genetics Research

Confession time. I am a scientist who has used laboratory animals for research; both human and not. It’s not that I don’t understand what animal rights activists are fighting for, it’s that sometimes I believe human needs supercede animal ones.

Medical research using animals is absolutely necessary for us to understand how biological systems work. Animal models of behavioral genetics were featured in the New York Times this week. Over 30 social behavior genes have been identified in animals like roundworms, flies, mice and voles.

The animals and genes mentioned include:

• Prarie voles – Gene for monogamy and gene for parenting.
• Fruit flies – Gene, fruitless, for courtship behaviors.
• Dogs – Gene in the brain involved in modulating stress.

Scientists try to protect both human and animal rights to the best of their ability.

“The problem with humans is that it is extremely difficult to prove anything,” Dr. Catherine Dulac of Harvard said. “Humans are just not a very good experimental system.”