Animals are not test-tubes; they are sentient and inherently valuable beings with lives of their own.
- The Humane Society of the United States
Be aware of the fact that many of the common products we buy and use everyday contribute to animal suffering, and even to the extinction of species (as in the case of ivory and reptile skins). These products include cosmetics, deodorants, shampoos, household cleaning products, shoes, purses, and jewelry.
Commercial businesses use animals for testing household and industrial products, as well as cosmetics and personal care products. It is likely that the shampoo, cosmetics, and even the drain and oven cleaner you use were force-fed to or dropped into the eyes of fully-conscious rabbits, guinea pigs, dogs, or other animals. Cosmetic and household product manufacturers are responsible for blinding and poisoning millions of animals each year to determine the human “safety” factor of their products.
The powerful cosmetics industry is responsible for horrendous crimes against the animal kingdom. Two of the most common animal testing procedures used are the LD/50 and the Draize test. The LD/50 test (lethal dosage test) is a toxicity test designed to induce death in 50 percent of the animals tested to determine what constitutes a lethal dose of any given product. In most tests, enormous quantities of each test substance are fed to the animals in their food, or more commonly are force-fed by stomach tube. In other instances, the animals are forced to inhale a particular substance. These tests obviously produce symptoms of poisoning from which the animals suffer intensely and die. If the animals do not die by poisoning, they are killed at the end of the testing period which normally lasts two weeks. This test is considered by scientists to be highly unreliable for predicting the human lethal dose.
The Draize test is used to measure the skin and eye irritancy of cosmetics and numerous other products. In this test, rabbits are restrained in stocks and the test substance is placed in one eye of each rabbit. Rabbits are used in this test because they have no tear ducts which, as with humans, would cause tears to wash the substance from the eyes. Some of the results caused by this test are extreme ulceration, severe swelling and inflammation, hemorrhage of the eyeball, and blindness. This test has been criticized by scientists as unreliable, having little relevance to human safety.
Other toxicity tests used by the cosmetics industry involve the application of the test substance to portions of the animals’ bodies from which the fur has been shaved and the skin abraded. Inhalation tests are also common; immobilized animals are put in exposure chambers and are repeatedly sprayed around the head and body with the test substance.
Although the cosmetic industry is regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the FDA does not require the use of animals for the tests. Nowhere in the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act or in the regulations set forth by the FDA is there a requirement for the LD/50 or the Draize tests. As a matter of fact, there is no law requiring animal tests for cosmetics and household products! The cosmetic industry itself has chosen to use animals for testing to limit their liability to customers in the event of a lawsuit. Even with extensive animal testing, drain cleaners, toilet bowl cleaners, bleaches, hair dye, and a host of other cosmetic and household products can still blind or poison you if you swallow them or get them into your eyes. In other words, animal testing accomplishes absolutely nothing aside from limiting a company’s liability in case of a lawsuit, and validating the obvious fact that these toxic products are dangerous for humans and for the animals who suffered from them!
It is a known fact that there are many alternative technologies which could easily replace living animals in research and testing. These alternatives include the use of cell cultures (such as corneal and skin tissue cultures), in vitro (test tube) studies, chemical tests, the use of human skin (volunteers), and sophisticated computer and mathematical modeling. Not only have these non-animal testing alternatives proven to be more reliable and effective than living animals, but they are less expensive as well. Another humane alternative for these companies would be to utilize “known safe” ingredients (which now number over 600 hundred) for developing their products instead of experimenting with new chemical combinations which are potentially toxic and hazardous.
We must realize this inhumane treatment of the animal kingdom goes on every day. These are merely a few samples of the actual horrors taking place in product testing labs; the list goes on and on. We need to take a firm stand against such blatant and appalling insensitivity to life. As we become more aware of what actually goes on behind the scenes, and more of us choose to stop supporting animal suffering, then we will be on our way to bringing inhumane animal testing and research to a long overdue and welcome end. Our greatest power for creating positive change will be found in the choices we make every time we shop and purchase products. We must also voice our complaints to those who still test their products on animals.
A growing number of socially-responsible manufacturers have recognized the cruelty of animal testing. Over one hundred manufacturers now offer cosmetics, personal care products, and household products not tested on animals. Examples of success include Estee Lauder, widely recognized as the largest retailer of department store cosmetics, has permanently stopped testing its products on animals. This includes all Estee Lauder companies: Clinique, Aramis, and Prescriptives, Inc. Mary Kay Cosmetics declared a moratorium on all animal testing in response to public concern. Avon, Revlon, Benetton, and Christian Dior have also stopped testing their products on animals. Thanks to the animal rights organizations who worked so hard for these changes, and thanks to those who exercised the power of their consumer choices!
Things You Can Do To Make A Difference:
* Choose not to support companies who test their products on animals or are involved directly or indirectly with the pain and/or destruction of any species. Make it a point not to buy any cosmetics, personal hygiene, or household products produced by companies that test their products on animals. Let the stores who sell them and the manufacturers of those products know why your making this choice! There are growing numbers of high-quality alternative products on the market now. Natural food stores usually stock large selections of “cruelty-free” personal care products, household products, and cosmetics.
* Experiment with making your own homemade cosmetics and lotions. This is fun, personally empowering, and a lot less expensive! There are numerous books on this subject available. An excellent book is Jeanne Rose’s Herbal Body Book, The Herbal Way To Natural Beauty And Health For Men And Women, by Jeanne Rose, published by Grosset and Dunlap, New York.
For Further Information Contact:
*Beauty Without Cruelty – 175 West 12th St., Suite 16-G, New York, NY 10011 (212) 989-8073. Send $2 and a business size self-addressed stamped envelope for a “cruelty free” list of companies who sell products which are not tested on animals.
*People For The Ethical Treatment Of Animals (PETA) – P.O. Box 42516, Washington, D.C. 20015-0516 (301) 770-7444. PETA is the nation’s largest animal rights group. PETA believes that animals are not ours to eat, wear, or experiment on.
*In Defense Of Animals – 816 West Francisco Blvd., San Rafael, CA 94901 (415) 453-9984 / East Coast Representative (513) 793-2146.
*United Action For Animals (UAA) – 205 East 42nd St., New York, NY 10017 (212) 983-5315 / (800) 473- 5315.
* The Humane Society of the United States – 2100 L Street NW, Washington, D.C. 20037 (202) 452-1100. The primary concern of the HSUS is the prevention of cruelty to all living creatures.
* Eco Bella – Offers high-quality and high-integrity household products, cosmetics, fragrances, pet products, etc., which have not been tested on animals, do not contain animal by-products or milk by-products, and have minimal impact on the environment. They donate 10 percent of the profits from their catalog to animal and environmental protection organizations. For a free catalog write to: Eco Bella, Provost Square Suite 602, Caldwell, NJ 07006 (800) 888-5320 / In New Jersey call: 226-5799.
*The Compassionate Consumer – P.O. Box 27, Jericho, NY 11753. Offers a catalog containing over 250 cruelty-free, environmentally safe, all natural products including skin care items, household cleaners, baby products, cruelty-free gift baskets, and leather substitutes. In addition, 5 percent of your purchases from their catalog will be donated to the animal rights, animal shelter, or environmental protection group of your choice. Send 1$ for a catalog to the above address.
*Citizens To End Animal Suffering And Exploitation – P.O. Box 44-456 Somerville, MA 02144 (617) 628-9030. Offers a twenty-eight page “Guide to Compassionate Living.” An extensive list of cruelty-free household cleaners, baby care products, first aid, personal care products, etc., not tested on animals.
