Product Testing: Toxic and Tragic

by the PETA Organization

PETA, 1999

This is an article written by one of the most passionate and reliable sources of

animal rights, called PETA (People For the Ethical Treatment of Animals). I do not want

to dumb down the information in this article, but I will try not to drone on. Product Testing: Toxic And Tragic Essay.  This article

speaks of how people test cosmetics on animals, the ethics of it and alternatives to product

testing on animals.

First, there are test called Eye Irritancy Tests. These tests find out whether

products used for or near the eyes will hurt ones eyes. These animals, usually rabbits, are

first locked into these headlocks where their heads protrude out and their bodies behind.

Then, without using any form of anesthesia, the product, whether it be liquid or powder, is sort of hook. Then they record the results of these tests such as: inflammation, bleedingliterally dropped in these rabbits eyes. They hold open the eyes of the rabbit with some and deterioration. Product Testing: Toxic And Tragic Essay.  The rabbits often break their necks trying to get free from these locks.

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Next their is an Acute Toxicity Test, performed on a group of test animals

ranging in size. Usually what they will do is force a tube into the animals stomachs or cut

a hole into their throats. Then they will force a substance in through those ways. Other options are that they could inject the fluid through the skin or a vein. These tests are to see how these fluids would effect humans. The scientists look for results like: bleeding, diaherra, convulsions and skin eruptions. There is also another test linked to this one called the Lethal Dose Test. These tests are unreliable. Product Testing: Toxic And Tragic Essay.

The article then tells of how these methods are legal, but very lethal for animals. In

this section such controversies like how the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

requires only that each ingredient in a cosmetics product be “adequately substantiated for

safety” prior to marketing or that the product carry a warning label indicating that its

safety has not been determined. Which means these test results do not guarantee our

safety. Testing on animals could be completely bogus for are we know.

There are alternatives to animal testing. For seven years, the cruelty-free company

petitioned the American Dental Association gave a seal of approval to Tom’s of Maine

toothpastes. Toothpaste companies (like Proctor and Gamble) were performing lethal

tests on rats in order to be eligible for the ADA seal. The scientists would brush rats teeth

for more than a month, then kill the animals and examine their teeth under a microscope. Product Testing: Toxic And Tragic Essay.

But Tom’s of Maine toothpastes talked to these scientists and made some fluoride tests

that could safely be conducted on human volunteers. The ADA eventually accepted it in

1995. Bold moves like these pave the way for newer and more ethical tests.

Finally, this article states how we can help stop animal testing. Even a survey found that seventy-five percent of Americans find animal testing unethical. If we want to stop animal testing, this article urges us to write letters and get involved with the government. That is the only way to make a difference. Product Testing: Toxic And Tragic Essay.

Category: Philosophy