Overview of the MCAT, DAT, and Other Entrance Exams (updated 6/18/15). This document is intended to provide basic information about the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT), the Dental Admission Test (DAT), and other required exams for health professions schools.
The majority of research animals are used in experiments focused on disease treatment and prevention, and the treatment of injuries. Laboratory animals are also used in basic medical research, breeding other research animals and diagnosis.Rats and mice account for about 95 percent of all animals used in research. Most of the remaining research animals are rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, farm animals, fish and insects.Combined, less than one percent of the remaining research animals are cats, dogs and non-human primates.ats and mice account for about 95 percent of all animals used in research. Most of the remaining research animals are rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, farm animals, fish and insects. Combined, less than one percent of the remaining research animals are cats, dogs and non-human primates.
Let us put the number of animals used in perspective. Scientists in the US use approximately 11-25 million animals in research, of which only less than 1 million are not rats, mice, birds or fish. We use fewer animals in research than the number of ducks eaten per year in this country. We consume over 1800 times the number of pigs than the number used in research.