For a growing number of people, animal testing conjures up images of small, defenceless creatures being poisoned by chemicals, or having caustic substances sprayed in their eyes. But for others, testing on animals is a necessary step in finding cures for diseases that cause extensive human suffering. It's one thing to argue that animals should not suffer for the sake of an improved hair dye, but more difficult to object to animal testing in the quest for, say, a cure for cancer. Fortunately, there is some room for compromise. It is possible to find viable alternatives to tests on live animals and, thanks to technology, at least some of them can saved without abandoning important research.