Animal Testing
Animal testing is the cruel practice where animals including rodents, monkeys, rabbits, and even dogs are used to test chemicals. The same chemicals which end up in our cosmetic, and household products.
What are these tests like?
Acute Toxicity Testing
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This test is used to determine the danger of exposure to certain chemicals by skin, inhalation or mouth. Basically this test means poisoning a large amount of animals which results in about 50% of the animals dying.
Repeated Dose Toxicity
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This test is used to determine the amount of substance required to create toxic effects in repeated doses to evaluate chronic toxic effects on organ systems.
Drazie Eye Test
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The purpose of this test is to assess eye irritation caused by various chemicals. Rabbits are most commonly used for this test though not exclusively. This test involves a substance being placed in on eye with the other eye serving as control while the animals are restrained to prevent them from reacting to the pain & irritation. They are then monitored hours, days, and weeks later to score the level of irritation.
The common results of this test range from redness, bleeding, ulcers, and likely blindness. The animals are most likely killed after the test is done.
The Bad Guys
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These are just a few of the horribly painful & cruel tests used by major brands such as Alberto-Culver, Clorox, Colgate-Polmolive, Johnson & Johnson, Pfizer, Procter & Gamble, and Unilever.
These tests are completely unnecessary since we have so many alternatives now such as In Vitro Testing, Computer Models that simulate human biology, and Research with Human Volunteers. If these big animal testing brands used ingredients in their products that have already been proven safe there would be no need for this testing.
Unnecessary Pain
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In the United States animal testing is not required by law. Therefore these brands have no excuse, and a number of alternatives to prove product safety.
So what can I do to help?
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Boycott companies that still use these cruel practices! Don't let them use your hard earned money to torture innocent animals.
How do I know who to avoid & who to support?
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List of the BAD (animal testing) companies
List of the GOOD (cruelty free) companies
http://vidacompassion.org/main/list/compgood.html
Please make the effort to purchase cruelty-free products. Your purchases make a huge impact for these animals.
Animals give back everything we put into them times a hundred if not more, they save lives, they don't hold grudges, and at the end of the day all they ask for is love & safety.
If you have questions about animal testing or cruelty free brands, contact me any time at MakeupAndMutts@gmail.com
