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Say NO to animal testing!

Testing Cosmetics on Animals by Cami McCombs, Shenandoah HS


Everyday women in the United States put a lipstick or mascara on, without even wondering if it’s safe to wear. These makeup products are trustworthy because the cosmetic companies use animal testing to ensure their safety and make sure they are hypoallergenic. It's our job to end the suffering and cruelty of these animals!

The most commonly tested on animals are rabbits, mice, and rats. The scientists apply either individual parts of the cosmetic or the whole cosmetic to the animal's mucous membranes. These mucous membranes include around the eyes, mouth, and nose, and they are extremely sensetive. Harming animals isn’t necessary, as we already have a lot of information as to which cosmetics are safe and which are not. Because of the sudden strong public backlash of cosmetic animal testing, manufacturers rely on existing compounds, ingredients and substances that have already been heavily tested on animals. They also avoid using ingredients that have not been tested enough, and use human volunteers to test their new products on. A lot of cosmetic companies are using computer modeling and cell cultures to simulate human flesh, which have helped find problems with the makeup products earlier. Some supporters of animal testing say that neither of these methods are as effective as human or animal testing.

Many countries still require extensive research on cosmetic products on animals to ensure their safety; these countries include the US and Japan, and they are often criticized for such laws. All cosmetic testing on animals became banned in the Netherlands, Belgium, and the United Kingdom in 2002. In 2009 nearly all cosmetic animal testing will be banned throughout the European Union. France, the home of the world’s largest cosmetic company, L’Oreal, has fought hard against the banning of animal testing, because they rely on it so heavily. Other companies in Switzerland, Belgium, France, Germany, and Italy, also oppose the ban. Although there is no cosmetic testing in the UK, they still test compounds that are used both cosmetically and medically, like Zyderm, Botox, and Restylane.

So much can be done to help the animals that are, or are going to be victims of cruel animal testing. There just needs to be a lot of public awareness and publicity. Many people don’t know the products that they are using are tested on animals, so they need to be informed about which companies use animal testing. Makeup from the UK bears the symbol of a rabbit being pet by a human hand, which implies that that company does not use animal testing. The same kind of symbol should be used on cosmetics from the US, as well as other countries. Everyone needs to make a difference and spread the knowledge!

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