Animal Product Testing- That's Still a Thing??

According to PETA, millions of animals are poisoned and killed every year in barbaric tests meant to measure the toxic effects of consumer products. Small animals such as mice, rabbits, and guinea pigs are forced to swallow or inhale massive quantities of a specific product in order to test if it is safe for human consumption. Mostly all of the animals tested on either die from the exposure or are killed shortly after the experiment is over. Sadly, America has no ban or law against testing on animals currently but many animal rights activist groups such as PETA are working hard to implement change.

Tests done on animals range from being exposed to drugs or illnesses that cause illness, pain, distress and death to genetically altering animals genes. The animals are forced to live in cruel conditions and subjected to tests that will result in pain or death. Cosmetic companies all around America see this as normal. Companies such as Avon, Benefit, O.P.I., and even Victoria Secret all continue to test products on animals.

A big point that companies make when defending their decision to test on animals is that it is necessary to test these products on living beings in order to see how it will react when humans use it. This is not true. With modern technology and science, products can be tested without the use of animals and the results are more accurate and applicable to humans. Also, since the genetic composition of a human differs greatly from that of a rabbit, animal testing isn’t very scientifically sound for predicting effects on humans. Scientists have found ways to test products without the use of animals and results that more accurately predict how the product will affect a person. They can do tests that use human cells and tissue, tests with advanced computer-modeling techniques, and studies with volunteers. Many companies now use tests such as these instead of animal testing. These brands are considered “cruelty-free.” If you want to join the fight against animal testing, swap out your products from companies that test on animals for these cruelty free companies. Brands such as e.l.f., Urban Decay, Tarte, and The Body Shop are all cruelty free as well as thousands of others brands that recognize animal rights.

The European Union has a ban on animal testing for cosmetic products which is a huge step forward for animal rights. However, there is no law against the testing of products on animals in the United States. In order to make a difference, many people- including myself- boycott products that test on animals and substitute them for cruelty free products. It really isn’t very difficult and makes all the difference.

These animals are not ours to do with as we please, which is why everyone should find this issue very important. Millions of animals die in barbaric ways even though there are alternatives. Taking away animal testing will not hurt anyone but continuing it will kill even more animals. Join the fight against animal product testing by buying cruelty free.