Laboratory mice are usually distressed and overweight, calling into question research findings

[Still Waters]

Over 120 million laboratory rats and mice are used worldwide each year. Many are used to study distressing conditions like cancer, arthritis and chronic pain, and nearly all spend their lives in small, empty box-like cages: a kind of permanent lockdown.

Our new analysis shows that this restrictive, artificial housing causes rats and mice to be chronically stressed, changing their biology. This raises worrying questions about their welfare — and about how well they represent typical human patients.

https://theconversation.com/laboratory-mice-are-usually-distressed-and-overweight-calling-into-question-research-findings-175812

[moonman]

Rodents are a terrible human analogue anyway. The only reason they keep using them is they are cheap and haven't bothered to update research practices in decades.

[spartan max2]

Probably explains why alot of things work in preclinical trials but then fail once it gets to human trails 

Edited May 13, 2022 by spartan max2