If a new anti-cancer drug is found to be effective in initial tests with mice, what might researchers conclude?
A) If the drug was effective in a large number of mice, it will therefore be effective in humans.
B) If the drug was effective in a small proportion of mice, it will be effective in a small proportion of humans.
C) The mice have provided a positive control in this experiment that proves the drug is effective in humans.
D) The drug is effective in the mouse model; it must still be tested in humans.
E) The effect of the drug on mice has no bearing on the effect of the drug on humans.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Finding that a new anti-cancer drug is effective in initial tests with mice only means that it is effective in the mouse model. Further testing is necessary to determine its effectiveness and safety in humans. Therefore, option D is the most appropriate and accurate. Option A is incorrect because the efficacy of a drug in mice does not necessarily mean the same efficacy in humans. Option B is also incorrect because it is not safe to assume the efficacy of the drug in humans based solely on its efficacy in a small proportion of mice. Option C is incorrect because mice cannot provide a positive control in a clinical experiment. Option E is incorrect because the effect of a drug on mice can be used to predict its effect on humans, although this correlation cannot be generalized.

If a New Anti-Cancer Drug Is Found to Be Effective