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Animal testing: from the farm to fashion

Animal+testing%3A+from+the+farm+to+fashion

Testing makeup on animals isn’t anything new in the cosmetic industry. High end brands, as well as drug store products test their products on animals such as bunnies and pigs.

Large companies such as Estee Lauder and Maybelline are only a handful of companies that test on animals.

“Several tests are commonly performed that expose mice, rats, rabbits and guinea pigs to cosmetics ingredients,” stated the New York Times .

Most people are blindsided by the animal testing world only because most testing companies don’t want the public to know what they do.

“By conservative estimates, tens of millions of animals are killed or maimed each year in research on the safety and effectiveness of new drugs, agricultural chemicals and consumer products,” said the New York Times.

There are many organizations that try and protect the animals. One example is the non-profit organization People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA). PETA was founded in March of 1980 with a goal to bring awareness animal rights and promote non-animal testing products.

“The practice is particularly controversial because animals may experience discomfort, suffering and ultimately die, all in the name of aesthetics and ‘looking good,’” said Ian Murnaghan, a writer for About Animal Testing.

When the people look at the product packaging of beauty products, as well as other products, animal testing is typically not mentioned. However, there are many different ways to do proper testing that doesn’t involve animals.

“Eliminating animal testing of cosmetics is entirely feasible. In the past three decades scientists have developed many advanced alternatives to animal testing—methods that use human blood, cell lines, artificial skin or computer models to test the safety of products,” said in the Scientific America. “Many multinational companies have embraced these alternative test methods, reducing and in some cases eliminating their dependence on animal testing.”

As a result of these alternative methods, the costs are cut because animal testing is expensive and scientist have to take specific care of the animals. For example, they must ensure the right type of physical health is tested on. Also, animal testing as a slow process.

The United States spends $16 million annually for animal testing at taxpayers’ expenses. Much of this cruelty is supported by the National Institute of Health (NIH), which allocates forty percent of its annual research budget to animal experiments according to Change.org.

Makeup and other cosmetic products are only a few things in the community that are involved with makeup like Valsen, Kleenex and Band-aids and their is no sudden change in their products for them to convert to animal free testing.

“I don’t really look into animal testing when it comes to me buying my makeup but I know it’s a thing that needs to be stopped,” said Kate Service ‘20. “I feel like there are better ways to get makeup testing done other than [animal testing].”

Many cosmetic products makes it hard to find the label where it says tested on animals and some products intentionally leave out the label, as a way of marketing. Some companies may choose to have the products have a list on the back of the ingredients in the and some say if they are animal tested or not.

During the past ten years animal testing and other animal trials involving cosmetic products has risen. More companies are using animal testing then ever before. Although there are many companies using that technique there are a lot of other non-profit organizations and companies trying to reduce the number of companies doing it.

There are many options to help reduce the amount of animal abuse and testing on cosmetic products.

“The best way to stop companies from using animals is to refuse to purchase their products and to write and tell them why you won’t be using their eye shadow, detergent, or shampoo,” stated PETA. “The good news is that today, a multitude of cruelty-free cosmetics and household products are not tested on animals.”

Although the main purpose of animal testing is to make sure that the product is right for human interaction, there are many different ways to get a safer and more effective result.

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Animal testing: from the farm to fashion