How rats conquered labs
(or how scientists conquered them)
Keywords:
model organisms, laboratory rats, standardization, history and philosophy of biology, science and technology studiesAbstract
This article explores some philosophical problems of experimental scientific practices with laboratory rats (Rattus norvegicus). This species has become indispensable in life sciences, comprising over 90% of organisms employed in some disciplines. Through experimentation, scientists intend to extrapolate results to other species, notably Homo sapiens.
The success of laboratory rats necessitates exploring why and how certain organisms are used as models. Analyzing the emergence of model organisms and their contemporary use, this study reveals insights into the use of models in science, highlighting historical and communal factors influencing their choice. The evolution of Rattus norvegicus from a synanthropic species to a highly adapted experimental model underscores the complex interplay between human-animal interactions and scientific inquiry. Ultimately, this analysis intends to enrich our understanding of scientific modeling practices, emphasizing the need to draw on a multiplicity of approaches to shape a perspective sensitive to the history of science, the philosophy of models and experimentation, and the analysis of biological theories.
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