 What do mice, zebrafish and rats have in common? They are the animals you are most likely to find in a research laboratory. Mice are the most used animal in research in Great Britain and account for around 75% of all animal research. Mice and humans are extremely similar. We share 90% of the same genes and have similar organs like the heart, lungs and the kidneys. Mice and humans react similarly to medicines which is why mice can be used to test the safety of new drugs before they are trialled in humans. Zebrafish are the second most used animal in research in Great Britain and account for around 13% of all animal research. Zebrafish and humans are genetically similar to each other. One of the things that makes zebrafish important for research is their ability to repair damaged heart muscle. This means they can be used to research heart disease. Zebrafish produce transparent eggs which allows scientists to watch embryos develop without using invasive measures. Rats are the third most used animal in research in Great Britain and account for around 8% of all animal research. Rats are often used to study behaviour in psychology experiments as their brains are larger than mice and rats are more intelligent. Rats do not think like humans but some of their brain structures resemble the more primitive parts of human brains. This is why they help us understand some human behaviours. All together, mice, zebrafish and rats account for over 90% of animal research in the UK. Animal research is strictly regulated and animals can only be used when there is no viable animal free method available. For more information on how animals are used in research and what other species of animals are used visit our website and follow us on social media. Thanks for watching.