• Question: You said that you work with mice in different experiments. What do you test on the mice and does it harm the mice?

    Asked by nmaciag21 to Amy, Karen, Sarah, Vijay, Will on 18 Jun 2012. This question was also asked by kayleigh99, itsscills.
    • Photo: Amy Birch

      Amy Birch answered on 18 Jun 2012:

      Hi nmaciag21,
      I work with mice that have a genetic mutation that causes Alzheimer’s disease. I test whether the memory of these mice is affected and whether certain drugs can help to improve their memory and stop the death of cells in their brain.
      All of the tests I do on the mice are designed specifically so that they are not harmed in any way. In fact there are very strict rules and regulations from the government that stop anyone doing anything that could cause pain and suffering to animals. I have to have a licence that is only issued from the government and I have been on a lot of training courses so that I am fully trained in how to look after my mice.
      I love animals, and understanding their behaviour is one of the main reasons I became a scientist so I would never agree to do anything that deliberately harmed animals.
      I hope this answers your question! If you have any more, feel free to ask them 🙂

    • Photo: Karen Reed

      Karen Reed answered on 18 Jun 2012:

      Hiya nmaciag21,
      I too use mice in my research looking at cancer. My mice have a gene mutation that is the same as humans can have which causes bowel cancer. I can then use the mice to understand what is happening at the really eary stages of this disease to try and find new test to tell you have the disease before you have any symptoms, and I can also try and find new ways we can treat the disease. Although my reaserch is classed as basic research becuase it is trying to understand the different steps that happens in this disease, my findings can help others develop new cures.
      My mice are REALLY well cared for to make sure they are happy and well, and I’m not allowed to do anything that would cause sffering or harm to them. THere are really strict rules you have to follow to work with animals and \i have a licence from the goverment to do this. I do sometimes give them injections, but because they don’t know its about to happen they dont get all stressed and worked up about it like we do. The thought of the inject is always worse than the actual event.
      I hope thins ansers your question butif you want to know more please do ask.

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