The National Anti-Vivisection Society (NAVS), based in Chicago, is advancing scientific research methods that aim to eliminate the use of animals in laboratories. Founded in 1929, the organization now supports the growing development and adoption of alternative technologies that focus on human biology, promoting humane science that benefits both people and animals.

NAVS highlights the increasing presence of innovative tools such as human cell and tissue studies, organ-on-chip platforms, and sophisticated computational models that replicate human physiological responses more accurately than traditional animal testing. These advancements offer the potential for researchers to study diseases like cancer, Alzheimer’s, and diabetes with methods that more directly reflect human biology, potentially improving the effectiveness and relevance of medical discoveries.

According to NAVS, the movement toward ending animal testing and advancing human-relevant research go hand in hand, not in opposition. The organization advocates for comprehensive support for these technologies, including providing scientists access to alternative tools, promoting humane educational methods that replace animal dissection, and encouraging policymaker recognition of the scientific and ethical benefits of non-animal approaches.

The group emphasizes that enabling widespread adoption of these alternatives requires not only technological innovation but also shifts in educational practices and public understanding, underscoring the alignment of scientific progress with compassion for animals. NAVS appeals to a range of stakeholders—including advocates against animal suffering, researchers seeking improved study models, educators, patients, and caregivers—as part of a broad coalition invested in more ethical and effective biomedical science.

Chicago’s historical spirit of innovation and forward thinking is cited by NAVS as a foundation for its ongoing efforts to reshape the future of research. By promoting humane science, the organization seeks to accelerate the transition away from animal dependency toward approaches that simultaneously protect animal welfare and enhance human health outcomes.