May 28, 2002
		Germany Gives Animals Constitutional Rights Germany has become the first European nation to vote to guarantee animal rights in its constitution, with 543 lawmakers in the German lower house of parliament voting in favor of this measure. Nineteen legislators voted against it, and 15 abstained. Laboratory animals will be most affected by this measure. Although animals in laboratories all ready had legislation defining the conditions in which they can be held in captivity, activists felt it didn't go far enough. The vote is expected to be approved by the parliament upper house this summer. Article 20a of the German Basic Law will read: "The state takes responsibility for protecting the natural foundations of life and animals in the interest of future generations." This measure could bring tighter restrictions on the use of animals for testing cosmetics or nonprescription drugs. Consumer Affairs Minister Renate Kunaste, a member of Germany's Greens Party, has helped lobby for this change for years, though she has maintained that "people remain the most important." Lawmakers have said that the government will seek out alternatives to using animals for conducting research.