When the topic of cosmetic animal testing is
discussed, the justification of the harm to animals being worth
the benefit to humans is different than the debate regarding
testing animals for medical research. Cosmetics are not
necessary to sustain life like the science of medical research
can cure disease and save lives; but, proponents of cosmetic
animal testing claim that since the products are used on humans,
they should be tested for all risks. No one would want to
discover that mascara they just bought at the store might lead
to blindness. So, should a few animals’ eyes be sacrificed to
ensure the safety of all cosmetic users?
The FDA answers this question for some
types of products as they do require animal testing for
medicinal skin and eye care products. Now, while they do not
specifically require testing for most cosmetic and personal care
products, many manufacturers still use animal testing in their
product research.
Animals have been used in testing for over
2,000 years and the debate has been going on for just as long.
In the most recent years the use of animals in all kinds of
testing has dropped due to the pressure from animal rights
activists. While the vegetarian movement is strong, many people
who are willing to kill animals for meat still oppose cosmetic
animal testing. The argument stems from whether the animal will
suffer and is the testing absolutely necessary.
The Animal Welfare Act
was created to try and set some standards around this debate.
The Act created standards for the handling and care of all
animals, including those used in laboratories. It specifically
directs that researchers try to evaluate the use of non-animal
experiments before actually using animal testing. For certain
studies, painkillers must be used to decrease the suffering
animals may receive and animals must be well cared for. The Act
also allowed for random lab inspections to be preformed in
research facilities to ensure the standards are followed.
Product Labels
Due to the pressure from consumers, more
cosmetic companies are placing labels on their products that
ensure “cruelty free” and “not tested on animals.” What do these
labels actually mean? Some products with these labels have only
used non-animal testing methods, but other’s make the claim and
then sneak around the issue. In some cases, the individual
ingredients have been tested on animals in the past, but not the
actual mixture being sold. In the worst scenario, some
manufacturers actually hire an outside company to do the
cosmetic animal testing for them and buy the results.
Types of Cosmetic Animal
Testing
Due to a large disaster in 1920, where women
were drawn to salons for an eyelash treatment designed to make
their lashes darker. The dye, called Lash Lure, did as it
promised but in exchange for lush lashes, the beauty searches
received problems from mild eye irritation, to blindness, and
even death.
This horrible cosmetic incident led to the
main cosmetic animal test used today, the Draize tests.
With an eye and skin version, basically white albino rabbits are
used to test cosmetic products for potential cell damage or
irritation. For products used near the eyes, the white rabbits
are an idea subject due to the fact that their eyes have a hard
time naturally washing away irritating substances. The rabbits
are held by metal bands and then drops of a cosmetic product are
placed in the eyes. The researchers then check the rabbit’s eyes
regularly for damage.
The Draize skin test is essentially a
similar concept, where the hair of rabbits, mice or rats is
shaved in a small area. The cosmetic products are then rubbed
directly into the skin and the area is regularly inspected for
damage or irritation.
With products that involve a spray action,
like hair spray or some perfumes, an inhalation test is often
performed. An animal, like a rabbit, is placed in a close
container and forced to breathe the cosmetic product through a
mask. The animal is then monitored for breathing difficulties.
Testing Without Animals
The main non-animal test employed in cosmetic
laboratories today is called the Neutral Red Uptake Assay.
This test essentially uses cells in a glass dish. The chemicals
in cosmetics are then added to the dishes. A special dye that
reacts differently to dead and live cells is added. The
researchers then analyze the results with a computer to
determine the risk a chemical will have on the cells. These
types of tests are known as in vitro, a method which
literally translates to “in glass.”
Scientists are also frantically searching for
new options in non-animal testing. With the pressure from
consumers and animal rights activities, along with the necessity
of offering a safe product, the need for effective testing
without animals is a must.
