Animal experiments go through a process designed to make sure that an experiment is carried out only after all the alternatives have been considered. The experiments go through and receive the necessary approvals from the institutional committees, which are subordinate to the Council for Experiments on Animals.
It is important to emphasize that science, as a human activity, is built and advances through competition and constant mutual review by peers who are experts in specialized fields of research. Peer review has proven very effective in advancing science, and we are confident that this mechanism is highly effective and also ensures animal welfare.
The Animal Welfare Law (Experiments on Animals), 1994, which regulates animal research in Israel, is based on the "Three Rs" principles accepted in all civilized countries.
Studies that do not meet accepted standards cannot be published in the scientific literature. These standards are known as the "Three Rs":
Refinement
Ensuring the welfare of research animals and minimizing their suffering, including housing and nutrition conditions that ensure animal welfare, appropriate veterinary care, and the use of anesthetics and pain relief.
Reduction
Reducing the number of animals in each experiment as much as possible.
Replacement
Using technological alternatives to animals wherever possible: tissue cultures, computer simulations, and species lower on the evolutionary scale.
• Applying the law and its principles properly balances the necessity of biomedical research, human feelings of compassion, and the duty to prevent animal suffering, in order to advance biomedical science and find cures and relieve suffering for the benefit of people and animals.
• 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.