Bill Nye: GMO Lab Rats and Research

How important are genetically modified animals for basic research? Bill Nye the Science Guy explains how lab rats, also referred to as laboratory models – or as comic co-host Chuck Nice describes them, mice with the human ears on their foreheads – are imperative to studying and understanding human genes. But is testing on lab rats moral? As Bill points out, humans routinely raise animals to kill for various purposes, and we can’t exactly test humans the same way we can rats. Chuck asks why we can’t then raise lab rats without pain receptors? To which Bill counters that, if that were possible, the lab rats might not be a very good model for human behavior. What do you think about using GMO lab rats for science? Tell us in the comments below. This "Behind the Scenes" video was shot during the recording of our episode, " Cosmic Queries: GMOs with Bill Nye (Part 2)." If you'd like to listen to the full podcast, click here: http://www.startalkradio.net/show/cosmic-queries-gmos-with-bill-nye-part-2/ Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/startalkradio Subscribe to StarTalk: https://www.youtube.com/user/startalkradio?sub_confirmation=1 Follow StarTalk: Twitter: http://twitter.com/startalkradio Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StarTalk Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/startalkradio/ About StarTalk: Science meets pop culture on StarTalk! Astrophysicist & Hayden Planetarium director Neil deGrasse Tyson, his comic co-hosts, guest celebrities & scientists discuss astronomy, physics, and everything else about life in the universe. Keep Looking Up! #StarTalk #BillNye