Prof Frank Staal (LUMC) participated as one of the speakers and discussants in a debate on the use of laboratory animals for development of new medicines. Also involved as speakers where Prof. Jan Bas Prins (LUMC), head of the animal facility and Ms. Debby Weijers, general director of ProefDierVrij, a Dutch animal rights activist organization. Frank argued that responsible use of animals is necessary for the development of novel genetic medicines, such as SCID gene therapy.