Has making Lab Rats given you some empathy for the real animals?

Mike: Yeah, I do have empathy with real Lab Rats. More than ever I think that I know how they may feel. Although I was a research scientist in a field that is still dependent on animals in some cases (virology), I have never experimented on animals. Sometimes I do believe that some sort of 'animal model' must be used, but I would never do it myself.

That said, I think that people are often too reactionary. I had a mate in the environmental movement who went on a march to protest about the slow progress in HIV research in the States a few years ago, only for him to become involved in the anti-vivisection movement later in the UK. Sometimes there is a price to pay for making life-saving scientific advances, but I think that vivisection within the classroom, cosmetic industry and as a cheap and easy option is out of order.

Zeron: Love it or hate it the human race has advanced because of the use of rats. But also, in dark contrast, plagues of rats have almost destroyed the human race throughout history. And they still have the capability of harming us in the future. Rats are resilient and fervent breeders who may yet one day dominate the earth.

Vivisection is wrong when it is used in as a matter of course. We do need to maintain the equilibrium between medical advancement and inflicting pain on any earthly creature.

Personally, I'm happy to be a Lab Rat because what I learn ultimately teaches the bloke/female on the street more about our bodies. Bring it on.

How is Lab Rats different to other TV programmes?

Mike: I think that Lab Rats is unique. On one hand there are plenty of observational science programmes where the presenters just watch what happens in front of them or report on it. On the other hand there are plenty of those bloody reality TV programmes, which no one owns up to watching, but have huge viewing figures. Of course, there is also Jackass, but in Lab Rats all of our stunts have a reason. They do genuinely illustrate scientific theory and principles, but in a different way.

I think that many of the programmes also have a strong message. Off the top of my head here's a few - you need to be more than a film star or ace computer game player to fly a fighter jet, so you really should keep your self in shape. If you drive when you haven't had enough sleep you may think that you're doing OK but you may well kill yourself, or worse, someone else. If you don't check yourself out for testicular cancer (if you're a bloke) you may well die - statistically a couple of our viewers probably will in the next few years, which is tragic. And there are ways to overcome the phobia that may have been ruling your life. For inspiration, check out Zeron's courage in the fourth programme.

I think that Lab Rat mixes serious science with a genuinely funny format involving two very real blokes dragged off the street, but the take home messages are as serious as any programme.

Zeron: It's understandable science that everybody can relate with.

What's it like to work with the OU?

Mike: I love working for the Open University. It is something that really enthuses me. With the demise of the grant and the introduction of tuition fees it is more difficult than ever for people who want or need a second chance. Conventional universities are too expensive, the gamble is too big to take for most people, especially if they have debts, commitments or a family and many of the degrees aren't worth the paper they are written on. Realistically, the OU is often the only chance to get a decent degree from a respected university if you aren't made of money.

When I'm hacked off with filming, or the politics behind it that inevitably surface from time to time, the fact that I am working for the OU genuinely inspires me.

Zeron: The OU has reached out and touched the ordinary bloke/gal on the street. Through Lab Rats everybody watching will ask themselves "Could I have done that?" And say "now I know why."

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Content last updated: 23/08/2005