Animal testing is necessary for human survival and medical research. I will give a brief background and description of animal testing, explain some of the medical advancements achieved from animal testing, and give my own opinion as to why animal testing is beneficial to humans. I will weigh both sides of animal testing and will prove that animal testing is a necessity for human existence and medical breakthroughs.
             Animal testing is not a new thing. For many centuries scientists and testers in research have used animals of all kinds. Rodents are the most common animals used in testing. Eight-five percent of the animals tested are rats and mice. When testing these animals scientists try to ensure that the use of animals contributes to the advancement of knowledge and minimizes any possible pain the animals may experience.
             According to the American Medical Association, all advances in medical science in the twentieth Century have been achieved either directly or indirectly through the use of animals in laboratory experiments. Without animal research doctors would have no chemotherapy to save children who now survive acute lymphocytic leukemia. Polio would kill millions of people each year if we did not use animal testing. Vaccines are probably the most important breakthrough from using animal testing. Some of those vaccines protect humans against such diseases as Diphtheria, Mumps, Measles, Rubella, Pertussis, and Hepatitis. Animal research also has played a part in the development of organ transplants, hip replacements, pacemakers, and bypass surgery.
             Advances in Veterinary medicine have been made due to testing on animals. Millions of dogs, cats and other farm animals would have died from Anthrax, Distemper, Canine Provirus, Feline Leukemia, Rabies and more than two hundred diseases that are now preventable. Without these advances people could not safely have pets in their homes.
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