The Experimental Subject—a Choice, Not an Echo

PERSPECTIVES IN BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE Volume 14 · Number 1 · Autumn 1970 THE EXPERIMENTAL SUBJECT— A CHOICE, NOTAN ECHO* L. K. BUSTAD] Plate i.—The new look in genders * Presented in part at the dedicatory symposium for the Anton J. Carlson Animal Research Facility, University ofChicago, November 1969. Prepared for publication with the editorial assistance of Ellen K. Haro. t Radiobiology Laboratory, University ofCalifornia, Davis, California. Plate 2.—Dr. Gengozian of Oak Ridge with two friends NO PIG5 ! ALLOWED AUt Plâ S AR£ HYSTERICAL// * ?¿¡? I NOBEL PRIZE Plate 3 .—Pavlov's swineless laboratory Plate 4.—Join the crusade for miniature pigs. ("Daisy Pig" courtesy ofPfizer, Inc.) Plate 5.—Inspiration for a Tiger Research Institute. (Courtesy U.S. Air Force Times.) Plate ó.—The scientist ofall people must have a reverence for life Itisapleasureformetobehereto shareyourhappiness intherealization ofa dream, the completion ofan outstanding facility, and to share with you, too, the hope that within these walls will be accomplished great things, achievements beyond our imagination for the benefit ofman and his animals. It is most appropriate that this facility be named for one ofthe century's truly greatphysiologists, AntonJ. Carlson. You mustrealize that, in saying this, I am paying a unique and great tribute—that of a Norwegian to a Swede. You may appreciate the traditional relationship ifI recall for you a story that the Swedes told in my hometown. It seems that, as was his custom, Ole Muckelbust had stayed late at the local tavern. As he wandered home in an inebriated state, he turned into the wrong farm lot and ended up in Hammervald's place instead ofhis own. He entered the first building he came to, which happened to be the hog barn, and lay down beside a warm body. It moved, and he asked, "Ar du Svensk?" The only reply he got was "Norske, norske, norske." I congratulate one ofthe great men ofmedicine, a fellow Norwegian, LeonJacobson, for his vision and administrative acumen, for his part in the completion ofthis facility. Congratulations are also due toJohn Rust, the director ofthis new facility, ofwhich he is no doubtjustifiably proud. As one who has spent a life with the animals, I must confess that there havebeensomedays andnot afewnights andweekends, whenmy animals have required special attention, on which I envied some ofmy biochemist friends on their choice ofan experimental subject. One ofmy friends goes to the supermarket, buys a package of spinach, chops it up, runs some analyses, and writes a paper. Another friend ordered a crate ofcoconuts, which he said produced twenty-one papers. But I prefer something that responds, that holds more secrets ofmore direct application to the biomedical mysteries ofman. That is what brings me here to talk about my experiences with animals. In addressing the subject , I will examine some of the questions that I have been asked during the past three decades: Which experimental subject should I choose? Why use experimental animals at all? What can I learn from them? How should I care for my animals? I have spent most ofmy life observing and being observed by animals. Some ofwhat I have learned I now share with you. The most commonly used experimental animals and the number of each species utilized are listed in table ? [i]. The list is not long. Until very recently, the extrapolative research composite ofman has been something having the brain ofa cat, the heart and kidneys ofa dog, the muscles ofa frog, the intestines and behavior ofa rat, and the genes ofa fruit fly. I'm sure that we can do much better. Ifwe look carefully enough, we will find the animal that is uniquely designed to answer almost every biological problem that we encounter. I review for you some of the more unusual animals, some that are only on the verge ofdiscovery. These words may suggest that I plan to speak about some oftoday's youth. TABLE 1 Numbers of Principal Laboratory Animals Used in Research in the United States in 1968 [1] Species Mice .................... Rats .................... Frogs .................... Birds .............. ..... Guinea pigs .............. Hamsters ................ Dogs .................... Rabbits ................. Turtles .................. Cats .................... Subhuman primates ....... Gerbils .................. Swine and miniature swine Sheep and goats .......... Cattle ................... Ferrets .................. Bats .................... Equine .................. Total. No. Animals 27,000 10,000 4,000 1,300 987...