AR Philosophy > Morality of AR > Speciesism - Index

New Zealand Anti-Vivisection Society (Inc.)
PO Box 9387, Otautahi/Christchurch, Aotearoa/New Zealand
contact NZAVS (Ack: Roy Kupsinel MD, Vivisection: Science or Sham)

RODENTS (MICE/RATS): the most commonly used lab animals


Plaque (fatty deposits) are deposited in the liver.

Plaque is deposited in the blood vessels (leading to stroke and heart disease).
3-year life span requires massive doses for drug/product testing - more than humans will ever use. 72+ life span and consume drugs and chemicals in minute doses over a lifetime.
Imuran (immunosuppressive) causes birth defects in mice. Imuran does not cause birth defects in humans.
Manufacture Vitamin C in their bodies. Can only obtain Vitamin C through the diet.
Lysodren (cancer chemotherapy) does not cause kidney damage in rodents. Lysodren causes kidney damage in humans.
Continual pregnancy healthier for rodents. Continual pregnancy in humans leads to nutritional depletion and disease.
Hypersensitive to chlorine in minute doses. Can stand chlorine in much larger doses.
Manufacture Vitamin B in the appendix. Manufacture Vitamin B in the liver.
Myambutol (TB antibiotic) causes birth defects in mice. Myambutol does not cause birth defects in humans.
Eliminate drugs from the body in 3 hours (faster elimination reduces drug danger). Eliminate drugs in 72 hours. Increases danger of drugs in the aged.
Thymidine shrinks tumours in mice. Thymidine does not shrink tumours in humans.
Catapress (anti-hypertensive) causes retinal degeneration in rats. Catapress does not cause retinal degeneration in humans.
Can’t tolerate more than 15 minutes of direct sunlight. Can tolerate direct sunlight for much longer periods.
Chloroform toxic to mice in minute doses. Humans can stand Chloroform in much larger doses.
Obtain Vitamin D by licking their own fur. Obtain Vitamin D through the diet.
Moban (tranquilliser) causes breast tumours in mice. Moban does not cause breast tumours in humans.
Specially bred for laboratory studies. Live in a controlled sterile environment. Majority of diseases induced through genetic breeding (tumours and genetic defects), or from parasitic infections. Humans come from a wide variety of genetic, environmental and lifestyle backgrounds, all unpredictable. Environment, diet and lifestyles responsible for most human diseases.
Rats have no gall bladder - digest fats differently. Humans have a gall bladder. Digest fats differently.
Require 3 ? times more protein than humans. Excess protein responsible for kidney damage in humans.
Thalidomide (tranquilliser) does not cause birth defects in rats. Thalidomide causes birth defects in humans.
Meclazine (for travel sickness) causes birth defects in rats. Meclazine does not cause birth defects in humans
Coumarin (blood thinner) causes liver damage in rodents. Coumarin does not cause liver damage in humans.
Fair Use Notice and Disclaimer
Send questions or comments about this web site to Ann Berlin,