Animal Testing - An expensive and cruel practice

            Humane Society International states that scientific drawbacks of animal tests have been proven on several occasions. They state that comparison of reactions in animals to reactions in humans is questionable and that animal testing has scientific limitations because different species can react differently, even when given the same chemicals. Consequently, results from animal experiments can turn out inaccurate in humans, which can cause hazards to people. Undependable and un-predictive animal experiments mean consumer safety cannot be guaranteed. 

            Gregory Mone, an MA-based writer, stated animal-based experiments “take too long and are too expensive, often requiring several years and millions of dollars or more to carry out.” 

            In Dr. Martin Wasserman’s article in the Baltimore Sun, he wrote that the most common animal experiments were the Draize skin and eye tests which involve placing a substance on an animal to check for toxic effects. He stated these tests are inaccurate and extremely expensive and time consuming; as series of tests on one chemical can “cost around $6 million and can take three years to complete.” There is also the apparent pain due to the animals used in these experiments being fully conscious. Dr. Martin Wasserman stated that they are “scalded by chemicals on their skin and eyes, shoved into tubes no larger than their bodies and forced to breathe [toxic] fumes,” and are not any more immune to pain than any other animal. 

            Wayne Pacelle, President and CEO of the Humane Society wrote in the Huff Post Green agreeing on this issue of finding alternatives.  He stated that The National Academy of Sciences says that they are leading toward modern computer and humane-based approaches that can produce results in days rather than years, and at a small fraction of the cost of animal testing.  Pacelle said the participating scientists foresee the complete replacement of animal tests and this work is long overdue, greatly needed, and a transformation in the regulation of chemicals. 

For a list of all the tests and descriptions, visit:
http://www.humanesociety.org/issues/cosmetic_testing/tips/common_cosmetics_tests_animals.html?credit=web_id329654370