Research is responsible for virtually every medical breakthrough there has been - there are drugs, vaccines, cures and treatments and other life-saving benefits being developed today - but an important factor in the development of medical advances is the inclusion of animals in research. Virtually almost all living things have benefited from medical advances made possible by animal testing. According to my aunt Blanca, mother of a child diagnosed with severe epilepsy, “we should be grateful and support animal testing” (Perez). When I asked her if she thought it was cruel to test animals, she replied: “No one wants animals to be used in this form, and I believe that animals should only be used for medical research and when no other method exists. I am a mother, so I find it difficult to believe and accept that any parent is against or has a problem with animal research." Even though my aunt's daughter remained with learning disabilities for the rest of her life, my aunt is grateful because without effective medications her daughter could have not only been worse off, but perhaps even died. Although extremists argue that animal testing is cruel and unnecessary, animal testing is justifiable when viewed as playing a vital role in medical advances that save lives. Animal research is responsible for profound insights that have served as the basis for medical advances. In virtually every major medical advance in human and veterinary health, animal research has played a vital role. According to the US Foundation for Biomedical Research, “From antibiotics to blood transfusions, from dialysis to organ transplants, from vaccinations to chemotherapy, to bypasses… half of the paper… 7): 44+. General reference center. Network. November 21, 2013. “Medical Advances Through Animal Research.” University of Minnesota. University of Minnesota Regents, June 15, 2006. Web. Nov. 22, 2013. Orlans, F. Barbara. “Policy Issues in the Use of Animals in Research, Testing, and Education.” Hastings Center Report May-June 1990: S25+. General reference center. Network. November 20, 2013.Acquisto, Iain. "Experimental research on animals". Biological Sciences Review January 2001: 26. General Reference Center. Network. November 21, 2013. Roush, Wade. “On the Hunt for Animal Alternatives.” Science 274.5285 (1996): 168+. General reference center. Network. November 19, 2013.Southwick, Ron. "Fight for animal research." The Chronicle of Higher Education 48.31 (2002). General reference center. Network. November 21, 2013."Talking about research." Pushing forward for pro-test science. Np, 2009. Web. 22 November. 2013.