[Science needs experimental animals]

Data on the number of animals used in experiments are compared with data on meat consumption. The usefulness of laboratory animals for past achievements in biological sciences is presented. The negative effect of the rather disapproving attitude of the general public and the restrictive Animal Protection Law on Germany as a place of science is demonstrated in the general decrease of the number of registrated scientific projects. Some psychological reasons for the widespread disapproval of animal experiments are listed. The arguments of the opponents and supporters of animal experiments are confronted. Finally, the limits of so-called alternative methods are briefly mentioned and some proposals to ameliorate the keeping conditions of laboratory animals are enumerated.