Animal Testing

[kwene_2009]

Hello. I am writting a persuasive speech on why animals should not be used in testing and research, most specifically in cosmetics/lotions/perfume. This is mostly because I am tired of the jokes people make to me about owning lab guinea pigs. Some people just don't understand and I want to educate them. ha ha
Does anyone have any good web sites that I could use to get helpful information, statistics, or pictures?
Thank you so much for your help....
Also, I hope I posted this in the right place....

[Angelgal]

I agree to an extent. I agree with animal testing/research but not for things like cosmetics - that's just wrong. However I feel medical testing is very important.

I know there is a research facility up here that's trying to recruit more Vet Tech's, but I'm not sure if I'm allowed to post the link? I would think the website has a lot of information. Its called Charles River. I'm sure if you googled it, you'd get the website. I just don't want to break any rules.
I just had a presentation by them (I'm a Vet Tech student).

Are there any research facilities in your area? If yes, have you considered maybe taking a tuor of the facility and asking questions? That's the best and only way to find out the truth's behind animal research. There is a lot of misbelief out there just because people think its cruel. It's really a lot better then people believe it to be (medically at least).

Research labs usually only work with specific species of animals. They test on at least two different species. These animals are specially bred. For a research facility to test on a new species, its a lot of work because they have to learn anything and everything about that animal before they can think of doing any testing. Research labs are also under close and careful watch by organizations (will vary with each country) to ensure that very little to no stress or pain is caused to the animals and to ensure they are treated carefully and with respect. In research, every detail is recorded, nothing is left out (from every pellet to every touch) and every paper, every detail is sent back to the company of whatever was tested.

Animals undergoing animal testing/research are monitored closely and they try to cause as little stress and pain as possible. If that stress or pain cannot be relieved, the animal needs to be euthanized because its not accurate results and could really mess up the whole research project. When I say this I mean, you only have x number tries (I think its 3) to get blood or a sample and if you exceed that ... your done, you've caused the animal too much stress. If you slam a cage door, your at serious risk of loosing your job because you caused that animal stress and fear. They honestly care about animal welfare.

Now getting blood or a sample in a clinic, they keep trying until they get it and they don't care how many people it takes or how the animal is feeling. Usually by the time they do get it the animal is stressed out! They can't have that in animal research.

Yes, its true *sadly* most (not all, but most) animals are euthanized after a program (research programs can take years). It's important that they are (its part of the research) to look for serious side effects in a necropsy. Its looking to see if whatever was tested did what it was suppost to do, and did it cause anything else to happen. Because IMO I wouldn't want a drug going on the market that would cause liver problems or something serious ... you know?

Hope that's just a little helpful information. I know its medical rather than cosmetic's or something (those who test cosmetics, or mistreat the animals deserve a terrible terrible fate!) but it's still useful information on the general subject of animal research

[sophistacavy]

I would think that looking on the aspca's website, maybe peta's website, humane society of the united states's website, would help. They would all be against animal testing for cosmetic reasons.

People kinda look at me weird when I voice my opinion about this topic. IMO, we should not do any animal testing with cosmetics. Instead, we can use humans. Not us, as in folks like me and you, but prisoners on death row. They do research, as I believe, to prevent things from doing something way bad, like burning your skin off. Yeah, thats important, but why burn a rabbit's pelt off when you could give a well-deserved punishment to people on death row. Labosapiens: humans used for cosmetic testing xD Found exclusively on: death row.

Thats a great idea, your paper, good luck!

[Jules84]

I used to work for LUSH handmade cosmetics, and they were really big on not testing their products on animals. And not just the products that they make, but all the ingredients that go into a product can not be tested on animals or even endanger the life of any animal. If I remember correctly, they stoped using Palm Oil in their soaps because it effected the habitat of the endangered orangatans in Borneo.

Several companies claim they do not test their products on animals, which they don't, but they can't say the same for the manufacturers of the ingredients they are using.

I'm not sure if you could use that information, but I always respected LUSH for their beliefs.

[starshine123102]

I always new LUSH was good but I didn't know they were THAT good!

I love their stuff, I just wish they had a store closer to me (I hate paying shipping!)

[auburnmare5]

I think that animal testing for certain products is alright. But when you use them for things that are not really necessecary, then you have a problem. Things that are okay are medical research, etc... things that could greatly benefit humans. Things that are not okay are shampoos, conditioners, mak-up, etc...
I only use make up that says "Not Tested On Animals", Shampoos, conditioners, etc... I only use if they say "This Product Has Not Been Tested On Animals". One brand that does not test on animals is basically everything from Bath and Body Works.