Istituto Auxologico Italiano is a private law foundation established pursuant to Presidential Decree No. 1883 of 6 December 1963 and recognized in 1972 by the Ministries of Health and Education as a Scientific Institute of Admission and Treatment. The recognition was reaffirmed and expanded upon in the subsequent five-year periods. Initially targeted to addressing abnormal growth and primarily pituitary dwarfism - a research area in which the Institute has played a prestigious pioneering role - the scientific and clinical activities of Istituto Auxologico Italiano have progressed into various aspects of human development with the aim of following the development of the individual from conception to maturity by studying anomalies and degenerative processes during prevention, treatment and rehabilitation, with particular attention to the auxo-endocrine-metabolic, cardiovascular, neuroscience and rehabilitation issues. Attention to all stages of human development - including embryonic - is also expressed in medical and molecular genetics. Great importance is attributed in this context to issues of bioethics and attention to rehabilitation as being an integral part of a welfare model that aims to reaffirm the centrality of the human being.