USES OF ANIMALS

USES OF ANIMALS IN RESEARCH

In long terms, animals are used in experiments as in vivo models – living, intact biological systems – and as sources of tissues, cells, and organs.  Animal experimentation is usually defended as a way to solve specific problems, including the understanding and treatment of human disease. But animals are also used in what is categorized as basic research, which seeks to increase our knowledge of the way organisms behave, develop and function biologically.

It is estimated that at least 100 million animals are used every year in the multibillion dollar research industry that includes university, pharmaceutical laboratories, and military, agricultural. But because the most commonly used animals – rats, mice, and birds – are not counted, the exact number is not known.

ANIMAL HUSBANDRY

ANIMAL HUSBANDRY

Animal husbandry is the management of take and care of animals by humans for profit, in which genetic qualities and behavior, considered to be advantageous to humans, are further developed. The term can refer to the practice of selectively breeding and raising livestock to promote desirable traits in animals for utility, sport, pleasure.

Animal husbandry has been practiced for thousands of years since the first domestication of animals Selective breeding for desired traits was first established as a scientific practice by Robert 

Bakewell during the British Agricultural Revolution in the 18th century. One of his most important breeding programs was with sheep. Using native stock, he was able to quickly select for large, yet fine-boned sheep, with long, lustrous wool. The Lincolin Logwool was improved by Bakewell and in turn the  was used to develop the subsequent breed, named the New (or Dishley) Leicester. It was hornless and had a square, meaty body with straight top lines.These sheep were exported widely and have contributed to numerous modern breeds.