Biomedical research, which underlies medical, veterinary and scientific knowledge, aims to find improved treatments for illness and requires animal research.

Those who categorically reject any form of animal use, both for food and for scientific purposes, represent less than 3%; of the Italian population. This minority is exerting growing pressures on public opinion, politicians, and society with the goal of stopping all animal research. They spread false views, sometimes supported by self-styled ’ experts’ that lack documented competence, and promote a campaign of suspicion and hate towards scholars who work for scientific progress and for human and animal health.

In fact, 97 out of 109 Nobel Prize recipients in Physiology or Medicine (and all such Laureates in the last 30 years) were recognized for discoveries that involved animal tests. Animal research has contributed enormously to develop the fundamental scientific knowledge used by medical doctors, veterinarians, psychologists and health care professionals. Furthermore, animal research has made possible revolutionary medical discoveries such as antibiotics, organ transplants, and treatment of diseases such as diabetes, Parkinson’s, depression, spinal paralysis, cardio-vascular diseases,among many others. Finally, it is mandatory to test the safety and efficacy of all new drugs and treatments on animal models before applying to humans.

The use of animals for research and scientific breakthroughs is therefore indispensable.

However, even those whose diets include animal products sometimes have concerns about the need of animals for research. But animals used in research constitute only 0.001%; of the number used for food.Such facts are obscured by the deceptive, misleading equivalence made between torture and animal research,referred to with the derogatory word ’vivisection.’ This equivalence is unreasonable and untenable. Italy has the most restrictive legislation in Europe concerning the protection and well-being of animals used for scientific purposes Animals such as rabbits and pigs are subjected to a far greater care and protection when used for scientific purposes than when bred for food. Rodents represent almost 90%; of animals used for scientific research and, under such circumstances, they are protected by such regulations, whereas they are regularly eliminated when they infesting our cities. Animal Research is strictly controlled and regulated by the government authorities andis prohibited whenever valid alternative methods exist. Approved research is monitored to ensure that it is performed by trained personnel and conducted in mandated ways to minimize unnecessary pain and discomfort.

The use of animals is considered essential by the international biomedical scientific community for such fields as brain research, pathological addiction, and transplantation. These and other research topics designed to improve the health and well-being of our species are threatened in Italy by inadequate legislation.

This manifesto is supported by senior scientists, including Nobel laureates in Physiology or Medicine, as well as by many young researchers who defend the dignity and value of research and scientific progress. Join Italian scientists petitioning the Government and the Parliament to adopt any initiative appropriate to fulfil European Union legislation on animal research (EU Directive 63/2010), for a better balance between the need for scientific progress and animal protection and welfare.

Do not leave Italian research to die, leading scientists to quit or move their research abroad.