Santrece Harris Mr.

Robinson Honors 9th Literature 2 April, 2010

Cosmetics in Animal Testing: The Ugly Truth

In 2008, more than 115 million animals were used in animal testing. There is no known number for the animals that are killed each year in these experiments. Animal testing also known as vivisection is the process of cutting open a living animal to see the effects a certain products or substance has on it. Animal testing is a disease that has wiped the mind of many scientists and cosmetic developers. The cosmetics companies have abused the rights of animals each year and used them countless experiments for the unnecessary human desires. The privilege of animal testing should be put to good use that may help the fields of medicines. Maybe if the scientist put half the effort into finding cure for incurable diseases, Cancer and AIDS/HIV patients wouldn t have to worry about writing their own obituaries. Cosmetics maybe a growing industry, but I believe scientists shouldn t sacrifice the lives and health of defenseless animals for foundation, cologne, and mascara. Think of your children and then think of the animals tested on. How would you feel if they experimented a new lip gloss that could be fatal on your child that you love and cherish?

Animal testing has been around since the 17th century. Even back then cosmetic testers abuse animals. After the act that the FDA passed was no longer in effect, cosmetic companies continued to use them in their experiments. In 1927, scientist J.W. Traven developed a test for a cosmetic to test the safety of it called, LD50 (Lethal Dose 50). Later, scientist Dr. Draize came up with the Draize Test that was tested on rabbits and rodents. Other scientists in other universities criticized these methods and the government for not doing anything about the loss of animal life that could lead to extinction of those species tested on. When the government continued to remain silent against the practice, there were hunger strikes, debates, and illegal action taken to prove their point. Finally, the United States government decided not to require the practice for the cosmetics companies. However, the companies continued to do these tests after a woman died from using mascara. These experiments were different, but equally cruel and inhumane acts against these animals. The LD50 was the first form of vivisection in the United States. It consisted of giving a group of animals the substance until half the group died. They were forced to ingest it through feeding tube, inhalation chamber, or applied to the skin. This test could lead them to suffer convulsions, shock, paralysis, and bleeding from mouths, noses, and other carious places. The Draize tests consisted of placing the substance on the skin and in the eyes of the rabbit of rodents. It lead them to become blind, irritable, and maybe dead. These tests are still practiced today in the cosmetic industry. They are indeed the most inhumane acts of cruelty that scientists can inflict on anyone and anything, just for some cheap makeup and a

few dollars. It s like we re punishing them for their inability to reason. Don t we live in the land of prosperity and equality? Doesn t everyone have rights and values regardless of evolutionary history? I wonder is our education and morality based on money. Is everything we learn of about loving everyone and everything regardless of how it looks? I wonder if we are all part of an American style Aryan race.