Which of the following transgenic animals are utilized to test the safety of polio vaccines before their administration on humans?

Transgenic mice

Transgenic mice are genetically modified mice that have specific genes inserted into their DNA to mimic certain aspects of human biology. They have become valuable tools in scientific research, including vaccine safety testing. When it comes to testing the safety of vaccines before they are used on humans, transgenic mice offer several advantages over traditional testing methods that involve monkeys.

Transgenic mice can be engineered to express certain human genes relevant to vaccine safety, making them more physiologically similar to humans in specific aspects. This enables researchers to better understand how vaccines may interact with human immune systems, improving the accuracy of safety assessments.

Mice are smaller animals making them easier and less expensive to maintain and breed in large numbers. This allows for more extensive testing and the evaluation of multiple vaccine batches simultaneously, which is crucial for quality control and ensuring vaccine safety.

Using transgenic mice for vaccine safety testing can reduce the need to use monkeys for such purposes. Monkeys are closer to humans in many biological aspects, but using them for testing raises ethical concerns due to their higher cognitive capabilities and potential for suffering.