What would happen if researchers could no longer use animals? 

The potential effect on human and animal health would be devastating.  In many areas of biomedical research, scientists must study things in a living system.  In fact,  Nobel prize winners in physiology or medicine overwhelmingly support responsible use of animals in research.

Animal research is a vital component in developing new vaccines, new surgical techniques, and new medications.  Take away animal research, and these developments will be delayed or completely derailed.

Not only does human health rely on progress made through animal research, the health of our pets does too.

Veterinary advances depend on animal research.  Many of the cures and treatments available to our pets today - vaccinations against rabies, distemper, parvo virus, feline leukemia and dozens of other afflictions - were all made possible through animal research.  Farm animals, wildlife, even some endangered species have been aided through animal research in reproduction, nutrition and toxicology.

The animal rights threat to research is real.  Their call is for empty cages, not bigger ones.  Despite their varying tactics, all animal rights leaders are abolitionists when it comes to the use of animals in research. If the threat is left unchallenged, the end result could be the elimination of all animal-based research, putting human and animal health in jeopardy.