• To control and supervise animal research, a council of 23 members was established at the Ministry of Health, made up of representatives of various government ministries, academia and medicine (including lawyers, physicians, veterinarians, and scientists from the humanities and natural sciences), as well as 3 representatives of animal welfare organizations. Most council members do not carry out animal research themselves.
• No enlightened country in the world has banned animal research, and Israel's laws are similar to those of the world's most advanced countries.
• The number of animals used in research in Israel (relative to the size of the population) is similar to, and even lower than, that of countries of similar size with a good level of biomedical research.
• Basic biomedical research is essential for developing the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries needed for Israel's economic strength.
• Over the years, animal research has been used to develop medicines and medical treatments (such as transplant surgery, stents and fertility treatments), and it has contributed greatly to longer life expectancy and a better quality of life for all of us.