Editing Mouse (section)

== Human use ==
=== As experimental animals ===
{{Main|Laboratory mouse}}
[[File:Fatmouse.jpg|thumb|[[Knockout mouse]] (left) and normal mouse (right)]]

Mice are common [[experiment]]al animals in laboratory research of [[biology]] and [[psychology]] fields primarily because they are [[mammal]]s, and also because they share a high degree of [[homology (biology)|homology]] with humans. They are the most commonly used [[mammal]]ian [[model organism]], more common than [[rats]]. The mouse [[genome]] has been sequenced, and virtually all mouse [[gene]]s have human [[Homologous chromosome|homologs]]. The mouse has approximately 2.7 billion base pairs and 20 pairs of chromosomes.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.genome.gov/10002983/2002-release-draft-sequence-of-mouse-genome/|title=2002 Release: Draft Sequence of Mouse Genome|access-date=15 August 2016}}</ref>
They can also be manipulated in ways that are illegal with humans, although [[animal rights]] activists often object. A [[knockout mouse]] is a [[genetically modified mouse]] that has had one or more of its genes made inoperable through a [[gene knockout]].  Experimental mouse model systems include [[mouse model of colorectal and intestinal cancer|mouse models of colorectal and intestinal cancer]], [[mouse models of Down syndrome]] and [[mouse models of breast cancer metastasis]].

Reasons for common selection of mice are that they are small and inexpensive, have a widely varied diet, are easily maintained, and can reproduce quickly. Several [[generation]]s of mice can be observed in a relatively short time. Mice are generally very docile if raised from birth and given sufficient human contact. However, certain strains have been known to be quite temperamental.

=== As pets ===
[[File:Fancy mice.jpg|thumb|250px|Pet mice]]
{{Main|Fancy mouse}}
Many people buy mice as companion pets. They can be playful, loving and can grow used to being handled. Like pet rats, pet mice should not be left unsupervised outside as they have many natural predators, including (but not limited to) birds, snakes, lizards, cats, and dogs. Male mice tend to have a stronger odor than the females.  However, mice are careful groomers and as pets they never need bathing.  Well looked-after mice can make ideal pets. Some common mouse care products are:
* [[Fancy mouse#Caging|Cage]] – Usually a [[hamster]] or [[gerbil]] [[Cage (enclosure)|cage]], but a variety of special mouse cages are now available. Most should have a secure door.<ref name="Vanderlip2001">{{cite book|author=Sharon L. Vanderlip|title=Mice: Everything About History, Care, Nutrition, Handling, and Behavior|url=https://archive.org/details/miceeverythingab00vand|url-access=registration|access-date=22 April 2013|year=2001|publisher=Barron's Educational Series|isbn=978-0-7641-1812-8|pages=[https://archive.org/details/miceeverythingab00vand/page/38 38]–}}</ref>
* [[Pet food|Food]] – Special pelleted and seed-based food is available. Mice can generally eat most rodent food (for rats, mice, hamsters, gerbils, etc.)
* Bedding – Usually made of hardwood pulp, such as [[aspen]], sometimes from shredded, un[[ink]]ed [[paper]] or recycled virgin [[wood pulp]]. Using [[corn husk]] bedding is avoided because it promotes ''[[Aspergillus]]'' [[fungus]], and can grow [[Mold (fungus)|mold]] once it gets wet, which is rough on their feet.

=== As feed ===
[[File:Feeder mice.jpg|250px|thumb|"Pinkie" mice for sale as [[reptile]] feed]]
Mice are a staple in the diet of many small [[carnivores]]. In various countries mice are used as feed<ref>[http://www.reptilesinc.com.au/shopshow.toy?animalnid=733911&categorynid=25726 Food – Frozen mice & rats] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091010223121/http://www.reptilesinc.com.au/shopshow.toy?animalnid=733911&categorynid=25726 |date=10 October 2009 }}, Canberra Exotic Pets / reptilesinc.com.au, accessed 14 November 2009</ref> for pets such as [[snakes]], [[lizards]], [[frogs]], [[tarantulas]], and [[bird of prey|birds of prey]], and many pet stores carry mice for this purpose. Such mice are sold in various sizes and with various amounts of fur. Mice without fur are easier for the animal to consume; however, mice with fur may be more convincing as animal feed.{{Citation needed|date=May 2018}}

=== As food ===
Humans have eaten mice since [[Prehistory|prehistoric times]]. In Victorian Britain, fried mice were still given to children as a folk remedy for [[Enuresis|bed-wetting]];<ref>[[Flora Thompson]], ''Lark Rise to Candleford'' (Oxford 1949) p. 504</ref> while [[Jared Diamond]] reports creamed mice being used in England as a dietary supplement during [[World War II|Second World War]] rationing.<ref>J Diamond, ''The World until Yesterday'' (Penguin 2012) p. 314</ref> Mice are a delicacy throughout eastern [[Zambia]] and northern [[Malawi]],<ref>{{cite web | url= http://www.bridgewater.edu/~mtembo/mbeba.html | title=Mice as a Delicacy: the Significance of Mice in the Diet of the Tumbuka People of Eastern Zambia | first=Mwizenge S. | last=Tembo | access-date=13 August 2008 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080623091951/http://www.bridgewater.edu/~mtembo/mbeba.html <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date = 23 June 2008}}</ref> where they are a seasonal source of [[protein]]. Field rat is a popular food in Vietnam and neighboring countries.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/19/science/coronavirus-rats-vietnam.html |date=2020-06-19 |title=Wildlife Trade Spreads Coronaviruses as Animals Get to Market |work=The New York Times |first=James |last=Gorman}}</ref> In many countries, however, mouse is no longer a food item.

Prescribed cures in Ancient Egypt included mice as medicine.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/history/ancient/egyptians/health_01.shtml|title=BBC – History – Ancient History in depth: Health Hazards and Cures in Ancient Egypt|access-date=15 August 2016}}</ref> In Ancient Egypt, when infants were ill, mice were eaten as treatment by their mothers.<ref name="Hart2001">{{cite book|author=Hart, George |title=What life was like|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ReNvp-J9z-sC|date=1 May 2001|publisher=Time Life Books|isbn=978-0-7370-1007-7|page=40}}</ref><ref name="PressPress2002">{{cite book|title=Encyc of Discovery Science and History|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xNoZx4mJpwsC|date=1 September 2002|publisher=Fog City Press|isbn=978-1-876778-92-7|page=320}}</ref> It was believed that mouse eating by the mother would help heal the baby who was ill.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.touregypt.net/historicalessays/lifeinEgypt3.htm|title=Tour Egypt :: Egypt: A Carefree Childhood in Ancient Egypt|access-date=15 August 2016}}</ref><ref name="Shuter2003">{{cite book|author=Shuter, Jane |title=The Egyptians|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JbwoiQDe_sUC|year=2003|publisher=Raintree|isbn=978-0-7398-6440-1|page=10}}</ref><ref name="FontanelD'Harcourt1997">{{cite book|author1=Fontanel, Béatrice |author2=D'Harcourt, Claire |title=Babies: history, art, and folklore|url=https://archive.org/details/babieshistoryart0000font|url-access=registration |year=1997|publisher=Harry N. Abrams|page=[https://archive.org/details/babieshistoryart0000font/page/64 64]|isbn=9780810912441 }}</ref><ref name="ColónColón1999">{{cite book|author1=Colón, A. R. |author2=Colón, P. A. |title=Nurturing Children: A History of Pediatrics|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=i8NsAAAAMAAJ|year=1999|publisher=Greenwood Press|isbn=978-0-313-31080-5|page=20}}</ref><ref name="BlumBlum1970">{{cite book|author1=Blum, Richard H. |author2=Blum, Eva Marie |title=The Dangerous Hour: The Lore of Crisis and Mystery in Rural Greece|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_IOBAAAAMAAJ|year=1970|publisher=Scribner|page=336}}</ref>