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| Product Testing on Animals - Needless Suffering or Important Science? |
 PRINTABLE VERSION |
According to a survey by the American Medical Association, 75 percent of Americans are against the use of animals in product testing. However, most people do not realize that by simply purchasing products that they use every day, they are supporting extreme pain and suffering. Almost all personal care products and cosmetics sold in stores were at some point tested on animals, or made by companies that test some of their products on animals. This is unnecessary and unconscionable. Rather than the common belief that these products are tested on animals to ensure the safety of people, these unreliable tests are done for the sole purpose of protecting companies from liability in the extremely unlikely case that a product is unsafe.
Animal testing on cosmetic and personal care products is not required by law. The only products that must, by law, be tested on animals are pharmaceutical products and certain chemicals. While these tests are neither accurate nor necessary, this article will focus on the testing of cosmetic and personal care products, as caring consumers can make the choice to not purchase these products.
Current laws are not enough to protect the rights and welfare of animals used in such tests. Mice and rats, the most common animals used in product tests, are not included in the Animal Welfare Act. Commercial breeders of rodents do not need to be registered with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), and are not inspected by the USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS).
Dogs and cats are also often used in experiments. Many of these animals are stolen pets, or are obtained from animal shelters as "surplus." While these research facilities are registered and inspected, this does not prevent cruelty. A research scientist at Huntingdon Life Sciences was recently caught on videotape punching four puppies repeatedly in the face. It is through investigations such as these that people have discovered the horror of animal testing.
Animal tests are also conducted on monkeys, rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, and gerbils. One common test involves rubbing a product, such as shampoo, soap, or toothpaste into the eye of a rabbit and recording the damage that this causes. These tests can last from seven to 18 days, with the eyelids held open by clips. Many break their necks trying to escape. This test does little to determine the safety of the product, as vast quantities of the product are used, and they are left in the eye for an extensive period of time. In addition, the eye tissue of a rabbit is not the same as that of a human. It is unethical to cause such pain and suffering, especially when there is no benefit.
Another common, cruel test is the LD50 test. This test determines the lethal dose (LD) for 50% of the test subjects. In other words, scientists force animals to ingest (swallow) a product continuously until 50% of them die. In addition to the fact that this is not at all helpful to people, it guarantees that half of the animals used will die, and the rest will become very ill.
The easiest way that people can stop these horrific acts is to boycott products made by companies that have not committed to ending their use of animal tests forever. Many companies do not test their products on animals or purchase ingredients that were tested on animals. A list of these companies can be obtained at www.leapingbunny.org.
Most companies, however, still test their products on animals. Arm & Hammer, Gillette, Procter & Gamble, Colgate-Palmolive, SmithKline Beecham, and Unilever are just a few of these companies. Take a look at the products in your house. Look on the back labels to see if they were made by any of these companies. If so, call the company's toll-free number, which will probably be somewhere on the package, and let them know that you are against animal testing and will boycott their products. If you are unsure of whether a particular company tests on animals, call the company and ask. It is because of consumer pressure that many companies have changed their unethical practices.
Companies that still test on animals need to know that people will not support this with their money. We must boycott these companies. If enough people stop supporting animal testing, it will disappear.
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Jeremy
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Comments
great adam cotia | Aug 1st, 2002
very thought provoking
Great Article Christine Chamberlain | Nov 6th, 2003
I am against animal testing and this article made me think a lot about it.
Awesome Brooke | Dec 4th, 2009
very inspiring
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