As our professor explains the mouse euthanasia protocol, my lab partner leans over, whispering to me, “Why do they keep calling it ‘sacrificing?’” I shake my head, unsure. It’s strange—to me, the term ‘sacrifice’ has always been religious. The irony of joining God and one of the most contested aspects of scientific research is not lost on me. I’m not exactly a believer, but as I snap on my latex gloves I hope these mice are headed for a better place. At the entrance to the laboratory, I pause, momentarily tempted to make the sign of the cross. For them.
Sofia Eun-Young Guerra is a first-year at MIT. Outside of writing, she spends her time folding origami butterflies and reading about sharks.