It is human nature that drives us to focus on the improvement of ourselves and the community we live in. Humanity as a whole is constantly on the search for new and innovative ways to improve our lives and to make the world a better, safer place for all. Becoming educated on current topics is a key tool to understanding the way the world works around us. Not only that, but an education also allows for the development of morals, a sense of right and wrong, to take form. Without morals, it would be impossible for society to form let alone function. A current topic in which we are at battle with today is the case of testing cosmetic products on animals. Although many cosmetic companies believe that animal testing cosmetics is morally sound, I …show more content…
that even though humans might be considered the superior species since the majority of us are more intelligent than most animals, and therefore have a higher ability to feel pain. It is noted by Gluck that “the problem with this proposal-a problem that poses a grave difficulty for those attempting to provide a justification of animal use-is that not all human beings share in these characteristics to the same degree,” (Gluck 15). For example, babies have about as much logical since as the animals being tested on, but they are never tested on. Gluck believes that in the future of animal testing, the scientists should ask themselves about all animals tested “what do they perceive? How Does it interact with the environment? Is this experiment really needed? Can it be replaced? Could the research be designed differently in the future?” (Gluck 47). By asking these questions, Gluck is specifically stating a list of moral inquiries companies and scientists alike should ask themselves before continuing their experiments. If these questions can be answered properly, it can be argued that this is the moral moral approach to testing cosmetics on animals, if at all.
Going on to study a more specific case of animal testing cosmetic products, Pauline McNamee and her team of other scientific experts have found alternative approaches to a in vivo rabbit Draize
Picture being locked up in a cage, injured, alone, and in pain. Imagine being a prisoner without committing a crime. This scenario exposes the life of rabbits, mice, dogs, pigs, cats, and many other animals used in cosmetic product testing. The topic of whether animal cosmetic testing is necessary or not has been a topic that many have put-off, but something that should be thought about. The reason that specific animals like, rabbits, chimpanzees, and apes are used for experimenting is because their DNA almost exactly matches a human’s. Since these mammals’ DNA is almost identical, researchers are positive that they are a great tool for testing cleaning and cosmetic products. Though researchers don’t feel any remorse for how they treat
Animal activists and scientists experience ongoing conflict between animal experimentation and biomedical ethics. Animal testing is one of the oldest methods of experimentation. In the 1980s, the animal rights movement and the argument surrounding the ethics came under fire. As a result of this movement, the experimental procedures became public, giving more incentive to the activists and momentum to their cause. The ethics of animal experimentation come into question in everything from beauty products to the food and vitamins that are sent to consumers worldwide. However, because of the industries ' involvement within animal experimentation, many consumers do not know how these products they are purchasing are tested. Although the ethics of experimentation have come into question, new ideas of experimentation have progressed. Within the biomedical field, new testing methods for both medicine and beauty products have evolved. Because of this new technology, activists against animal experimentation argue that the necessity of animal experimentation is unneeded. In contrast, scientists argue it is not outdated. Despite the progress made by the activists many scientists still believe that animal experimentation will be needed. Although animal testing may have served as a useful tool in the past, it no longer is as accurate as the new technology and research methods from the 21st century.
due to cruel chemical, drug, food, and cosmetics tests as well as in medical training exercises and curiosity-driven medical experiments at universities. Even though modern non-animal tests have been repeatedly shown to have more educational value, save teachers time, and save schools money, animals still suffer and die in classroom biology experiments and dissection. Examples of these horrid tests include forcing mice and rats to inhale toxic fumes, force-feeding dogs pesticides, and dripping corrosive chemicals into rabbits’ sensitive eyes. Even if a product harms animals, it can still be marketed to consumers. Contrarily, just because a product was shown to be safe in animals does not guarantee that it will be safe to use in humans. An exact number isn’t available because mice, rats, birds, and cold-blooded animals, who make up more than 99 percent of animals used in experiments, are not covered by even the minimal protections of the Animal Welfare Act and therefore go uncounted.
Our country is home to a handful of cosmetic and skin care companies, many of which have become a part of our society’s daily routine. What many of us users may not know about these products is how they have been tested to their perfection. A large amount of companies choose to use an outdated and cruel way of testing product’s safety for in order to ensure perfection. Animals aid testing by being an empty slate for these cosmetic companies to test and improve their products. However, with other testing options available, why do companies continue to use this cruel and inhumane way of using animals for our selfish benefits? The first year that Animal Testing started was 1922. Now, 94 years
This perspective was also given in my questionnaire, with one person stating, “It depends on the product…an argument can’t really be made until an individual situation is known…it may be necessary to test the way they do so that a product does not have unexpected complications on a person, and possibly larger scale consequences… If the product is really necessary to our society, there is no other solution than testing and there is a degree of empathy or understanding, than an exception could be made.” Many shared this belief and uncertainty, expressing conflicting ideals in which they wished for the eradication of animal testing for cosmetic purposes but also saw the potential scientific gain and medical achievements that animal testing has resulted in. This raises the question of what differentiates cosmetic testing from that of medical purposes, as are they not both working toward scientific advancement? Tom Holder, of ‘Speaking of Research’ a UK based organisation who have fought for the maintenance of animal testing, spoke of this
Numerous years ago, animal testing was started to help humans obtain information. The process of testing on animals is, quite possibly, one of the most disturbing experiments ever performed. Many cosmetics and personal care products are manufactured every year and put into the market
For many years there has been a controversial debate on whether or not animals should be used as test subjects for human cosmetics. The debate has two major sides Pro-animal testing and Anti-animal testing. Both sides have many valid points and this is one of the major reasons the debate is still ongoing many years after it began. The Pro- animal testing side argues the usefulness of animal testing for ensuring the progression and comfort of human development. The Anti-animal testing side argues that not only is animal testing unreliable, it is also cruel and unnecessary. While there is a plethora of reasons animal testing should be banned, the three primary reasons are it is unreliable and incompatible with humans, it is cruel and harsh for
Annually, one hundred to two hundred thousand animals suffer and possibly die due to testing for cosmetic reasons. (5) Animal testing was invented in the 1930’s when scientific technology wasn’t as advanced. Since then, cruel and painful tests have been performed on animals to test cosmetics. (1) Technology and science are more advanced now and alternative testing sources have become available. However, cosmetic companies continue to use animal testing for cosmetics even though it is outdated and unreliable. While animal testing is banned in some countries, some believe that it should be illegal for cosmetic companies worldwide to use animal testing. Not only is it is cruel and painful to the animals, reactions on animals may not be the same
In today’s society, there are billions of cosmetic products for sale. There are whole stores dedicated to cosmetics alone. Aisles upon aisles are lined with products designed to make a person look better, smell better, feel better. Behind those products though, there is a hideous truth. Those very products, designed to make a person beautiful, are tested on animals in order to be deemed safe enough for human use. Many organizations have campaigns to combat the issue. One such organization is the National Animal Protection Agency in Italy. The image above is one of their various campaigns to stop cosmetic testing on animals. Many of the aspects in the image above provide deeper meaning than what is realized at first glance and help provide more information on the topic.
The idea of using animals in research has been a widely controversial subject for many years, is it inhumanity or science? Every being holds their own perspective towards animals. They may consider animals as machine-like creatures with no consciousness, while others view animals as spiritual creatures who have feelings and emotions just like human beings. For decades, animals have been used for further experimental research, as well as an advancement for cures and treatments of diseases. Many individuals have opposed the idea of using animals for experiments, claiming that it is morally unjust. Even though, humans have benefited through the use of animals in research, the pain, the suffering and the death of animals is an unbearable sight. Supporters of animal experimentation contend that it is necessary to assure the safety of cosmetics, pharmaceutical and other various products that will affect us, humans. On the other hand, opponents argue that the use of animals for one’s own benefits is not ethically or morally correct. This essay will follow the negative and positive aspects of animal testing, in an attempt to show both sides of the argument.
“Each year, more than 100 million animals—including mice, rats, frogs, dogs, cats, rabbits, hamsters, guinea pigs, monkeys, fish, and birds—are killed in U.S. laboratories for biology lessons, medical training, curiosity-driven experimentation, and chemical, drug, food, and cosmetics testing” (PETA 1). For a countless amount of years companies, scientists, biology teachers, and plenty of other people have been using animals for animal experimentation. There are many people are for animal testing when it comes to testing for medical reasons, but when it comes to testing for cosmetics several people oppose animal testing. Tons and tons of animals are killed each year due to animal experimentation, and it is time to put it to an end. When it comes
Fatima walks into the cosmetic section of Macy’s and is interested in buying some acne skin care products. As she was paying for them, she notices plenty of harmful side effects the acne products contained. Fatima is glad she is aware of these symptoms and knows that these side effects are rare and that the product is almost completely safe to use. If it was not for animal testing that is currently being used in some laboratories, these side effects would have been discovered on people and that would create an unsafe environment. Less people would want to buy care products and medicine since it would be viewed as a risk instead of something helpful. Animal testing is becoming a more controversial topic, despite its many successes over the years. Since people have various misconceptions about it, such as it being an unsafe and cruel technique, it has become a more unpopular method. However, the benefits of animal research and testing have been less spread due to negative media attention, which created a bias among the public. Animal testing is a practice that has proved to be beneficial and should be continued because of the close similarity between humans and animals, the many lifesaving cures that it contributed to, and the regulation of the practice that makes it safe and humane for animals.
Animal testing has been a long-standing method for testing products both biomedical and product-safety testing in the commercial/cosmetic industries. Experiments they are put through are inarguably cruel, uncalled for, and unnecessary. No matter one’s personal perception of animals and their rights, the fact remains that they are being exploited by research facilities and cosmetic companies across the country. Even with the few laws in place to protect the welfare of animals, they are in constant violation in the name of science or need, an argument that is no longer valid. Tom Regan, a philosophy professor at North Carolina State University, states "Animals have a basic moral right to respectful treatment.
The creation of a new product, should not cause animals to suffer and die. Because humans want a new lip color or a new type of eyeliner, does not mean that numerous animals should be immensely tortured and at times to death. Many argue that in order to ensure the safety of a product, animal testing is necessary. However, in today’s scientific world, this is not true. Many people argue that animal testing is cheaper, but according to Consumers ' Research Magazine writer Beatrice Hunter, it costs 500,000 dollars per product to test something using animals, as opposed to alternatives, which cost on average 50 dollars per product.
Using animals in research and to test the safety of products has been a topic of heated debate for decades. According to data collected by F. Barbara Orlans for her book, In the Name of Science: Issues in Responsible Animal Experimentation, sixty percent of all animals used in testing are used in biomedical research and product-safety testing (62). People have different feelings for animals; many look upon animals as companions while others view animals as a means for advancing medical techniques or furthering experimental research. However individuals perceive animals, the fact remains that animals are being exploited by research facilities and cosmetics