What differences exist, if any, with using human specimens versus other animal specimens?

Question

This is for AP Biology class... a thoughtful answer would help me alot.

Answer 1

I'm not sure what you mean by specimens, but if you mean cadavers vs. animal dissection, the cadaver is the "real thing", whereas the anatomy of an animal is different than that of a person, despite the vestigial organs of the animals used in dissections. However, for a high school level class, other animals can be very informative. Cadavers will probably not be used in a high school class, because they are expensive, and can be traumatic for some people.

Answer 2

I know that animals can vary greatly in regards to the gastrointestinal system.  For example, humans have only one gastric stomach.  Ruminant animals, such as cows, goats, sheep, deer, etc, have four chambered stomachs.  The way in which ruminant animals digest and metabolize food is completely different than non-ruminants, such as humans, rats, mice, dogs, cats, pigs, etc.    

Answer 3

none if you are going to die you are going to die.

drug companies don't give a hoot about specimens.

only the out come then they lie about it if it goes bad to profit.

Answer 4

I'd say specifically, the metabolism and likeness to the human system on a whole, which amuses me that a pig is most like a human in most cases. What most women now want to know now is why is only test subjecting only using men in a certain demographic. That only does men good, not women. Not to see chauvinistic, but a women's metabolism and biology, chemically and emotionally speaking, is al over the map. They bring life from their bodies and their hormones run amok. Drugs ought to be tested with them in mind as well.

I suppose that's why some tests are run in the ways that they are, as to see which systems are affected. We use rats, monkeys and goats and all sorts of stuff. We do on occasion use a human specimen, as in the case of an inmate who willed his body to science and because of that, we now have MRI and other imaging and scanning systems.