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What products are you using and where did they come from?
Testing on Animals
Many of the everyday products people use and buy from supermarkets are tested on animals. Products such as shampoo, cosmetics, perfume, deodorant, washing powder, and toothpaste are among the many products tested on animals through a variety of methods that are inhumane and unnecessary.
Animal testing is not necessary to ensure consumer safety. The tests performed on animals are unnecessary (particularly with the development of new technologies) and are often unreliable. Below are some of the tests that have been frequently used or are still used in every-day product testing. The examples reveal that, aside from the severe, prolonged pain and suffering of the animals, animals often have very different reactions to humans to certain chemicals. While these tests use animals as the benchmark from which to measure or estimate human reactions to products on the market, in fact the results vary dramatically according to the species, sex and age of the animal in addition to other variables within the specific laboratory. Significantly, just like humans animals have a conscious awareness and the ability to suffer both physically and psychologically.
It is not only products that are tested on animals that you should look out for. There are also thousands of products that contain animal by-products from other industries, with the common ones coming from slaughtered animals in the meat industry.
What are the common types of tests?
Most popular tests can be organised into two types: the toxicity tests and the irritancy tests. Below are summaries of the types of tests, as well as the alternatives that are so readily available, but rarely used.
Toxicity Tests - Inhalation Test and LD50
Typical Products
Aerosols such as oven cleaners, deodorants, hairspray, food additives, chemicals used in industries.
Objective
To test the toxicity or irritancy of substances or products in an attempt to measure the short-term poisoning potential (acute toxicity) of a substance. Most times to determine how much of a chemical or substance it takes to kill an animal within a set time.
Procedure
Inhalation test involves either spraying a product around the head and body of animals, strapping an inhalation mask to the animals head, or putting animals into a sealed chamber while the test substance is pumped into the atmosphere with the aim of killing 50% of the animals within a given time.
Other: substance forced orally, injected in the veins (intravenous), injected in muscle (intra-muscular), injected into abdomen (intraperitoneal) with the aim of killing 50% of the animals within a given time.
Toxicity categorised into the following:
- LD01 Lethal dose for 1% of the animal test population
- LD100 Lethal dose for 100% of the animal test population
- LDLO The lowest dose causing lethality
- TDLO The lowest dose causing a toxic effect
Consequences
At the end of the experiment all the animals are killed and examined.
Reliability
Animal tests do not necessarily reflect the reactions of humans and results may differ markedly between species and been laboratories. It is impossible to accurately predict the reaction of a substance on human via this method, as a variety of factors affect test results, including:
- Sex of Animals
- Age of Animals
- How recently they've been fed
- Whether they're isolated or in group cages
- Temperatures and humidity in the laboratory
Generally referred to as a "quantal" test because it measures an effect that "occurs" or "does not occur".
With concern to toxicity tests, results made via animal tests have to be "approximated" and "assumed" to apply to humans, thus proving unreliable. "Special" calculations are needed that do not take into consideration individual differences of both animal type and individual humans.
Alternatives Available
- By using ingredients that have been used or eaten by people for centuries, new mixtures of these ingredients can be safely and reliably tested on human volunteers. Cruelty-free product lists reveal that we have copious amounts of all the cosmetics and cleaning products that we need and that there is no need to test on animals.
- The Skin Squared Test uses a simulated three-dimensional structure made of human cells to test the toxicity or irritancy of a substance
- There has been great progress in cloning human skin cells for use in testing, and they may ensue a greater degree of accuracy than human cancer cells or animal cells that do not always yield results identical with that of human skin.
- The use of computer modelling in product testing is being increasingly explored, whereby researches can enter into a computer the molecular structure of chemicals and their known biological activity. Through a sophisticated program they are matched to structures already in the database to predict the toxicity and irritability of the new chemical.
- See our full list of Alternatives to Animal Expirmentation
Irritancy Tests - Draize Test
Typical Products
Cosmetics, toiletries and household products.
Objective
To determine the level of irritancy in a product or substance when used by humans.
Procedure
Tests are carried out on rabbits by dripping products into their eyes over a period of usually 7 days. To stop them from struggling, rabbits are locked into stocks so they are unable to move.
Preferred Animals
Rabbits and others
Consequences
Aside from extremely painful procedure, animal reactions and consequences include eye swelling, inflammation, bleeding, ulceration, discharge burnout of the cornea and blindness. Rabbits have far less efficient tear ducts than humans and cannot simply wash away the product.
Reliability
Animal tests do not necessarily reflect the reactions of humans and results may differ markedly between species and been laboratories. It is impossible to accurately predict the reaction of a substance on human via this method, as a variety of factors affect test results, including:
- Sex of animal
- Age of animal
- How recently they're been fed
- Whether they're isolated or in group cages
- Temperatures and humidity in the laboratory
Furthermore, rabbit eyes differ to human eyes in a number of significant and crucial ways:
- Rabbits have a third eyelid
- Rabbits produce far less tear fluid to wash away irritants
- Rabbits have higher pH eyes
- Rabbits have a thinner cornea
The Draize test produces highly variable results: In some cases, laboratories have recorded cream peroxide as a non-irritant while in others it has been recorded as an irritant.
Alternatives Available
- By using ingredients that have been used or eaten by people for centuries, new mixtures of these ingredients can be safely and reliably tested on human volunteers. Cruelty-free product lists reveal that we have copious amounts of all the cosmetics and cleaning products that we need and that there is no need to test on animals.
- There are In-Vitro (in glass) tests for irritancy that provides an alternative to the Draize test. The Eyetex is a test using a special protein mixture like clear jelly that acts like the cornea of a rabbit’s eye but produces less variable results. If a product is irritative, the mixture becomes cloudy.
- The Skin Squared Test uses a simulated three-dimensional structure made of human cells to test the toxicity or irritancy of a substance
- There has been great progress in cloning human skin cells for use in testing, and they may ensue a greater degree of accuracy than human cancer cells or animal cells that do not always yield results identical with that of human skin.
- The use of computer modelling in product testing is being increasingly explored, whereby researches can enter into a computer the molecular structure of chemicals and their known biological activity. Through a sophisticated program they are matched to structures already in the database to predict the toxicity and irritability of the new chemical.
- See our full list of Alternatives to Animal Expirmentation
Irritancy Tests - Skin Irritancy
 Typical Products
Personal toiletries such as shampoos, body lotions, body creams
Objective
To determine the level or irritancy or reaction of substances applied to skin
Procedure
A patch on the animals skin is shaved of and slightly abraded and a substances is applied to the skin
Favoured Animals
Usually rabbits and guinea pigs
Consequences
Some reactions may include extreme inflammation, creating raw red flesh. Test animals must endure the prolonged suffering of irritable test products that are not washed off .
Reliability
Animal tests do not necessarily reflect the reactions of humans and results may differ between species and been laboratories
Alternatives Available
- By using ingredients that have been used or eaten by people for centuries, new mixtures of these ingredients can be safely and reliably tested on human volunteers. Cruelty-free product lists reveal that we have copious amounts of all the cosmetics and cleaning products that we need and that there is no need to test on animals.
- The Skintex test uses human skin cells that have been grown in a special solution. By examining the cells, scientists can see how much damage a product has done caused and thereby assess its irritancy. The process obviously does not cause any pain and is specific to human reactions.
- The Skin Squared Test uses a simulated three-dimensional structure made of human cells to test the toxicity or irritancy of a substance.
- There has been great progress in cloning human skin cells for use in testing, and they may ensue a greater degree of accuracy than human cancer cells or animal cells that do not always yield results identical with that of human skin.
- The use of computer modelling in product testing is being increasingly explored, whereby researches can enter into a computer the molecular structure of chemicals and their known biological activity. Through a sophisticated program they are matched to structures already in the database to predict the toxicity and irritability of the new chemical.
- See our full list of Alternatives to Animal Experimentation
Animal experimentation and testing in NSW
The Animal Research Review Panel NSW Annual Report of 2003/04 revealed that a total of 2,555,019 animals were used that year in research, and that over 6 million animals are used throughout Australia annually. For a breakdown per state see http://www.aahr.asn.au/statistics.html . Billion-dollar industries are built on the back of animal exploitation, and product testing on animals is supported by a large and powerful industry that supplies cages, equipment, animals, and infrastructure.
In Australia, each State and Territory has adopted requirements that animal research and teaching be conducted in accordance with the ‘Code of Practice for the Care and Use of Animals for Scientific Purposes', sponsored by the National Health and Medical Research Council, and endorsed by other scientific and academic bodies, and reviewed by representatives of government, scientists and animal welfare organisations. The Code includes principles of the "3 R's" which have been adopted in many countries as the benchmark procedures aimed at minimising the use of animals in research.
What are the 3 R's?
- Reduction: to reduce the number of animals used to as few as possible.
- Replacement: to use alternative non-animal methods whenever they are available.
- Refinement: to refine all procedures to ensure that as little pain and stress as possible is experienced by the animals.
There is growing recognition that animals should not be viewed and used as mere tools for research and education. Commitment is required to bring about a radical change in methodology in research and teaching, and further steps are needed to:
- Place the onus on the researcher to prove that no non-animal alternatives exist and that the experiment has not already been conducted (either in Australia or in any overseas country)
- Eliminate pain and suffering caused by the research process
- Effect a significant annual reduction in the number of animals used in research and teaching, and
- Develop, validate and adopt non-animal techniques in research and teaching
Has your favourite product been tested on animals?
You may be one of the millions of consumers who believe that animal testing does not happen anymore and that your favourite product has not been tested on animals. For a list of well known companies that still support animal testing, go here.
"How many Rabbits Does Revlon Blind for Beauty's Sake?"
On April 15, 1980, Henry Spira and Animal Rights International organised a protest march at Revlon headquarters in New York against the cosmetic industry's use of animal tests to ensure the safety of new products. The same day they ran a full-page advertisement in The New York Times with the headline "How many rabbits does Revlon blind for beauty's sake?" commenting on the use of rabbits in irritancy tests. Spira came dressed in a bunny suit.
Less than a year later, the Cosmetic, Toiletry and Fragrance Association put together a pool of $1 million and asked the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health to help them find alternatives to animal testing.
This story reveals the power of individuals and communities to hold companies accountable for their practices involving animals, and to encourage collective responsibility for the development of humane alternatives to animal testing.
There is hope.....
Fortunately for the animals, there are many new tests being developed through science and technology that provide alternatives to animal testing. In addition, there are already a number of cruelty-free products on our shelves. By being informed about where your product has come from, by choosing to buy only cruelty free products, by refusing to financially support animal-abusing industries, by informing others about the harmful effects of animal testing, and by supporting new technologies to develop alternative tests, you have the power to change industry practice that facilitates the institutionalised harmful treatment of animals.
Animal Testing is horrible, cruel and unnecessary. What can I do?
Simple. By being informed about the choices you make in the supermarket and other stores that carry products tested on animals. Be aware of where you cast your vote each time you buy a product that has been tested on animals. It is the individual Australians who have the ability to increase the demand for cruelty-free products.
Support companies and products that are cruelty-free. Due to the increase in consumer awareness and power, many companies are opting to go 'cruelty free'. They are also Australian owned. There are many terrific products out there that may not be as well known, but just as good. These products can be found at your local supermarket, beauty shops, and common department stores such as K-Mart.
  There is a fantastic organisation, Choose Cruelty Free, which specifically deals with animal testing and promoting cruelty free consumerism. Visit their website and download the Preferred Product List - it has a list of certified cruelty free companies.
Companies will indicate on their product if they don't test on animals. A symbol of a rabbit is a popular and well recognised logo for cruelty free products. Keep an eye out for them.
Be careful! Some companies may state they don't test on animals, but may still pay or subsidise a separate research company to do their testing for them. If you are unsure, contact the company and ask if they have any involvement in animal testing. You have the right to know as a consumer.
Tell others about animal testing. Next time you go shopping with friends, inform them of their choices and lead the way in purchasing cruelty free products.
Visit our ACT page for more ideas on helping to stop animal testing.
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