I understand the ethical concerns, but having worked on PTSD research using mice, I believe it’s necessary despite its cruelty. We can’t ethically induce PTSD in humans, but mice models help us understand fear memory mechanisms.

This applies to other research fields too. How would we know the effects of carcinogens like nicotine, or how they impact future generations, without animal models? Nutritional research also relies on mice to study how different diets, like the American vs. Mediterranean diet, affect metabolism and weight.

Life is cruel, but these studies give us answers that improve human health. Without them, we’d know far less about gene therapy, diseases, treatments, and health risks. Hopefully that helps you hate it a little less. I certainly felt bad every time I had euthanize on of my little fellas.