• Animal experiments are necessary for research on diseases and the development of therapies.
• Laws ensure restrictive application: animal testing only if no methodological alternatives are available.
• ESI is committed to transparency and the highest standards.
• The risk that cutting-edge research will move abroad.

Frankfurt am Main, July 4, 2024 - “The use of animal experiments is the subject of controversial and emotional public debate,” says Prof. David Poeppel, Managing Director of the Ernst Strüngmann Institute, introducing today’s press conference: “Many people are not aware that animal experiments are absolutely essential for research into diseases and the development of therapies for patients.”

The Ernst Strüngmann Institute is a leading research institute dedicated to gaining fundamental insights into important brain functions, understanding the brain in health and disease and thus creating the basis for the diagnosis and treatment of serious diseases such as strokes or Parkinson’s disease.

“To understand the brain, we use a wide range of scientific methods, including computer simulations, non-invasive imaging techniques such as MRI, MEG and EEG in humans as well as organoids,” explains Prof. David Poeppel, “but to get a truly complete picture, animal experiments are also necessary.”

Highest standards and strict controls

All animal experiments at the Ernst Strüngmann Institute are carried out in accordance with legal requirements and under the strict supervision of the relevant authorities. Since 2013, the Animal Welfare - Experimental Animal Regulation has stipulated the consistent implementation of the 3R principle for Replacement, Reduction and Refinement of the use of laboratory animals.

By improving and developing new alternative methods, it is already possible to completely replace a large number of animal experiments - or they help to reduce the number of animals required for animal experiments. For certain research questions, however, there are still no alternatives available, for example in studies of neuronal impulse conduction in the brain and the resulting basis for learning and memory.

“Pioneering discoveries are often made by chance,” explains Prof. Dr. Wolf Singer, founding director of the Ernst Strüngmann Institute: “Without basic research, we would be poorly equipped to face the challenges of the future, be it climate change, population growth, species extinction, new pandemics and epidemics or increasing chronic diseases such as diabetes. We have a duty to inform the public about the objectives of our research and why we use animals to achieve them.”

The ESI currently works with 319 laboratory animals, including 37 non-human primates, 276 mice and 6 rats. Since March 2024, the Institute has voluntarily returned the authorization for animal experiments with non-human primates on a temporary basis. We made this decision to ensure that the new employees replacing the previous experts build up the necessary expertise for working with non-human primates through further training and exchange programs. During this transition period, all animals were and are under expert care at all times. As soon as the new employees are sufficiently trained, we plan to reapply for approval for animal experiments with non-human primates.

“Animal experiments are essential for understanding complex biological systems,” explains Prof. David Poeppel: “Only if we understand the brain can we cure psychiatric illnesses such as depression.”

The Ernst Strüngmann Institute is committed to open, fact-based discourse on animal experiments under the slogan ‘Transparency and Respect’. “The focus here is on research reality and proportionality,” concludes Prof. David Poeppel: “And, of course, the question of whether Germany should remain a leading scientific location or whether we want to leave this area to other countries where our research standards and requirements do not apply.”

Further information can be found at: https://www.esi-frankfurt-presse.info

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