Brain-Dead Animals for Medical Research?

[The idea]

Has anyone attempted to genetically engineer lab rats or other medical research subjects so that they have only the most rudimentary parts of the brain? They would have to be fed by machines, but perhaps they could have enough lower brain functioning to keep involuntary bodily functions working.

In the meantime, labs could surgically remove higher brain areas before subjecting a lab rat or other medical research animal to painful experiments. Somehow I doubt that such a procedure would pacify the typical animal-rights activist. Nevertheless, wouldn't it be more humane than current methods? Is it simply too expensive at the moment and therefore not feasible?

 

[Rolfe]

Nevertheless, wouldn't it be more humane than current methods?

How much do you know about current methods? Animal welfare is a high priority and maximum possible use is made of anaesthetics. Anything that could be done with the sort of preparation you describe can be done much more easily and more humanely with an animal which is anaesthetised before the procedure begins, and simply doesn't wake up again. This is common practice.

Like I said, you need to know what's actually done at present before you can start devising "better" ways to do it.

Rolfe.

 

[The idea]

How much do you know about current methods?

Nothing with any degree of certainty. In fact, I was thinking of animal testing in general. Sometimes people object to general questions or simply take no interest in them unless there is a vivid example. Perhaps, when I converted my thought into words, I chose a poor example.

Anything that could be done with the sort of preparation you describe can be done much more easily and more humanely with an animal which is anaesthetised before the procedure begins, and simply doesn't wake up again.

Is there no limit to the length of time for which it would make sense to keep an animal anaesthetised?

[...]you need to know what's actually done at present before you can start devising "better" ways to do it.

I didn't invent the idea of anencephaly. It occurs naturally. I was just wondering whether it could be deliberately produced by means of genetic engineering and whether it could have a practical application. It's like the idea of growing tissue cultures instead of slaughtering meat animals (another idea that I didn't devise).