[The laboratory animal - measuring device and/or fellow-creature?].

The Animal Protection Law is oriented anthropocentrically and is trying to preserve human interests in animal utilisation, as well as doing justice to the indisputable responsibility towards the animals. The law is using the term "fellow-creature" but at the same time, it is regulating the objectification and exploitation of the animals. Both views can be derived largely from the Judeo-Christian tradition in the West.

Survival and transmissibility of Pasteurella pneumotropica.

Survival has been determined for Pasteurella pneumotropica on various surfaces found in an animal room at 23+/-1 degrees C and 50+/-10% relative humidity. Longest survival (120 min) was found on mouse hair, shortest (< 30 min) on laboratory coat fabric. Transmission experiments were performed using sentinel animals in order to evaluate the efficiency of their use for the detection of P.

[The Great Ape Project--human rights for the great anthropoid apes].

The Great Ape Project (GAP) is an appeal of 36 scientist from different disciplines aiming at the legal equalisation of the non-human great apes (chimpanzees, gorillas and orang-utans) with man. The appeal is expressed by a number of essays stating zoological, genetical, ethological, anthropological, ethical and psychological knowledge and, based on these arguments, demanding the abolition of the species barrier between human beings and great apes. The central point of the initiative is the "Declaration on Great Apes", claiming the inclusion of great apes in the "community of equals" and thus securing three basic rights for all great apes: 1.

Accomodation of laying hens in the laboratory in accordance with animal welfare requirements.

The production of antibodies from chicken eggs requires the housing of hens under laboratory conditions. Based on several years of experience, the accommodation of hens in modified dog kennels (for keeping on the floor) or guinea pig rack units (for keeping in cages) is described. The suitability of a commercially available hen"s cage is assessed as well.