Icono, this is the kind of logic that is taking muslims away from path of truth and righteousness. Ulema are the alims, their opinion on every subject is important. After all I have heard it said that Islam is a way of life. So why can’t your imam give opinion on whether a limited amount of animal cruelty be allowed for medical research and testing? Perhaps, mulim leadership needs to evolve in demanding that a Bismillah should be uttered before using an animal in lab testing. It is not ulema should not give an opinion on non-religious subjects, it is that they should acquire knowledge outside of religion and give opinions that interprete Islam in todays evolving world.