Mice may look very different from humans, but we are not as different as you may think. Genetically the different between humans and wheat (yes, a plant) is only about 30% … meaning we share 70% of the same genes with wheat … and mice are much much higher than that. In addition, there are various aspects of mice biology that are in fact extremely similar or identical to humans – that’s why they are used in particular for a lot of scientific research concerning human health. Generally, the scientists that use mice as lab animals do in fact know which parts are very different and which parts are very similar. My point is, there is a lot of assumed difference that is *not* corrected in high school biology. In fact, high school biology is generally *extremely* far behind the times in terms of the accuracy of the information. I’d say take a *college* genetics and biology course before you discuss how mice are not good lab animals. And make sure it’s a college that actually keeps up it’s science department.

Also, professors are as fallible as scientists funded by corporations or public interest groups. Adding “PhD” to the end of your name does a lot to convince people that your opinions are facts, when in fact they are not.

That said, I am much more likely to believe a group that is attempting to protect public health than one that is attempting to protect its own special interests. The fact that the scientists were approached by the Dow Chemical Company as stated in the article stinks very much.

@ all:

I wish I could remember where I read it, but I am certain I read a report with evidence that stated that the FDA is not a flawless organization, and in fact has been influenced by money and politics to rule one way or the other on various things in their purview. So, not only are they unable to check everything all the time, but there is good reason to suspect their motives.