• Question: Why do you only use albino animals in testing

    Asked by animals to Anil, Blanka, Cees, Emma, Mike on 29 Jun 2012.
    • Photo: Emma Trantham

      Emma Trantham answered on 29 Jun 2012:

      Actually we don’t only use albino animals in testing – it’s just that the photos you see in newspapers etc. tend to be of albino animals.

      Historically albino rabbits were used to test substances for whether or not they would irritate eyes because the lack of pigmentation in the eyes made it easier for the scientists to see whether they were irritated or not.

      I’m not sure what albino animals are now used for (or if any are used). Perhaps one of the other scientists will know.

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