It addressed in particular the link between research policies and society’s aims; risk management and the precautionary principle; ethics in science and research; the dialogue between researchers and citizens; public understanding of science; and the place and role of women in science.

Following the 1999 amendment to the Animal Experiments Act, BGBl (Federal Law Gazette) No 169/1999, the statistics on animal experiments have for the first time been produced in standard EU format. The full animal experiment statistics, with the tables for the Federal Ministries (Agriculture and Forestry, the Environment and Water Resources; Social Security and the Generations; Economic Affairs and Labour; Education, Science and Culture) responsible for the implementation of the Animal Experiments Act are given on the homepage of the Federal Ministry for Education, Science and Culture under hap://www.bt_nbwk.gy.at/4fte/tierversuch/sta ...[+++].99.htm.

This strategy aims to allow Europe to benefit from the positive potential of life sciences and biotechnology (sections 2 and 3), to ensure proper governance (section 4), and to meet Europe's global responsibilities (section 5).

Scientific and engineering knowledge has to be matched with entrepreneurial management skills for successful company operation.

Investments in research and development, education and training and new managerial approaches are therefore of key importance in meeting the challenges posed by life sciences and biotechnology.

They cover engineering and the applied sciences (23.5 %), business management (17.1 %) environmental protection (10.3 %), and the medical sciences (9 %).