…..: What types of pet rats are not genetically modified?
I have had a pet dumbo rat but she died at age 2 because of tumours.
When I went on the internet it said there is a higher chance you rat will get ill if they are genetically modified meaning hairless rats, dumbo rats, etc
I was wondering what type of rats haven’t had this done.
Thank you for any answers.
Answers and Views:
Answer by =)I <3 animals=)
just you’re regural ol’ rats. I dont know a specific breed, though. Good luck
There really are not different genetic strains of rats. If you do a little research on their history, you will find that the totally wild rat was kept and bred for scientific research. This is the point where heavy inbreeding began to occur, which caused genetic issues like cancerous tumors to become a common occurrence. This happens from lack of genetic variation. From lab rats came the rats people now keep as pets. So generally speaking, ALL rats we have today come from these type of inbred, genetically unhealthy animals.
Genetically modified is really the wrong term for rats like hairless or dumbos. These types came about through selective breeding. There are different ways of breeding through selection. Inbreeding is commonly used, but some breeders avoid it when they can. Still, inbreeding is necessary to “set” the genetic characteristic, but as long as it is kept to a minimal, it is tolerable. So really, it is the quality of the breeder and their care to avoid inbreeding, not just the fact that they are selectively bred. The best places to get the healthiest rats would thus be from breeders that recognize the dangers of inbreeding and do not do it.
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