Which animals dominate the pool of subjects in biomedical research?

Which animals dominate the pool of subjects in biomedical research?

• A. Rodents
• B. Primates
• C. Fish
• D. Dogs

Answer: (A)

Rodents, especially mice and rats, dominate the pool of subjects in biomedical research. Their small size, low cost, and easy housing make them practical for large-scale studies. They breed quickly, giving researchers many generations to analyze, which speeds up experiments and improves statistical power. A major advantage is the extensive genetic toolkit available for rodents: numerous inbred strains, well-established methods for creating knockouts or transgenic lines, and increasingly accessible gene-editing techniques. This rich genetic resource, combined with a vast amount of historical data and standardized protocols, makes it easier to model human diseases and to compare results across different studies. Although other animals such as primates, dogs, or fish are used for specific questions requiring closer physiological similarity to humans or particular research angles, they are far less common overall due to higher costs, longer generation times, stricter ethical considerations, and more demanding care requirements.

Rodents, especially mice and rats, dominate the pool of subjects in biomedical research. Their small size, low cost, and easy housing make them practical for large-scale studies. They breed quickly, giving researchers many generations to analyze, which speeds up experiments and improves statistical power. A major advantage is the extensive genetic toolkit available for rodents: numerous inbred strains, well-established methods for creating knockouts or transgenic lines, and increasingly accessible gene-editing techniques. This rich genetic resource, combined with a vast amount of historical data and standardized protocols, makes it easier to model human diseases and to compare results across different studies. Although other animals such as primates, dogs, or fish are used for specific questions requiring closer physiological similarity to humans or particular research angles, they are far less common overall due to higher costs, longer generation times, stricter ethical considerations, and more demanding care requirements.