MbShea@PWP@English@UMCP

Abstract:
Pigs are used as a human model in some human medical research laboratories. These models are used to benefit human nutrition, medical surgical practices, testing of new medical instruments and technology, improving the understanding physiology of humans and more. However, using pigs as a human laboratory model requires more space, more competence in handling, and understanding of their increased intelligence compared to that of the usual lab animals like mice, rats, and birds. Therefore, before utilizing pigs as a lab animal model, multiple issues should be looked at. Before beginning a study, the least possible number of animals should be used without ruining the study. The type of animal should be chosen as the least complex model while still allowing the study to run smoothly and get applicable data. The last issue to look at is the number of studies that you can perform on a single animal without being inhumane. Animals should be used in a more intensive manner rather than an extensive manner in order to reduce the number of animals being sacrificed. My lab is currently working with pigs as an animal model for human nutrition, and in order to extract the most information from the research, the study is being performed on few pigs for a long period of time and through generations in order to reduce the number of losses.

Readers Response:
Animals should never be used as models, especially animals that are as intelligent and complex as pigs. Why can’t we just use humans as a model or use artificial intelligence and computers to model the human body? If you have the computer power, there is no need to sacrifice an animal that could be living a good and happy life at an animal sanctuary rather than a scary and bright lab where they are doing a bunch of tests. Labs, like veterinary and doctors’ offices, are scary places and can smell and sound frightening, especially when shots and surgeries are being done. A lot of animal research that I’ve heard about is not humane and I think a lot of work needs to be done to make animal treatment ethically and morally right.

DS, this hostile audience is one to simply avoid. This is why much in the way of animal work is done sub rosa (latin for under the sign of the rose but also means table -- ask me more or look this up).

I suppose you can be hyper aware of the specific elements of pig biology/physiology that model the human body.

But, many people are simply arhetorical -- not persuadable. I think that this audience fits that category.