Product Testing

Types Of Animal Tests

Private companies perform product testing on animals for almost anything imaginable. Generally, the purpose is to examine the chemical toxicity on a living organism in order to understand its response on humans. In technical terms, this is known as the LD-50 test. This figure represents the lethal dosage of a particular substance in 50% of the animals tested. However, the experimenters test for a wider range of responses other than for its lethality. In acute and chronic toxicity tests, animals are forced to ingest various substances through implanted stomach tubes, injection into the skin or abdomen, or gas mask. The tested products can range from mascara and ink to detergents and pesticides. Furthermore, exposure to their eyes, vagina, and rectum is not uncommon. One such test is the Draize Eye Irritancy Test, which entails dropping chemicals into the eyes of rabbits.

Who Requires This and How Effective Is It?

The FDA requires that all new chemical substances or combinations of substances (such as weedkillers, oven cleaners, cosmetics, and paint) be tested. However, animal testing by cosmetic companies is not required, though it has become the standard in many businesses. In fact, both the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) discourage the use of the LD-50 test for this purpose. Ironically, these tests are not always very accurate. There are many variables involved-- including methods of testing, time of day, age, sex, and species -- which, if overlooked, will yield incorrect results. Moreover, it does not keep hazardous chemicals off the market. Instead, they are performed for other reasons, such as for legal protection from law suits.

Alternatives

Many alternative tests are now available, but are not readily used. As technology advances, the use of computer simulation has become increasingly useful. Salmonella bacteria is also a very accurate means of testing toxicity, known as the Ames test.

Proctor & Gamble

· Tests result in 50,000 animal death yearly
· Force feed conscious dogs
· Perform Draize Eye Test
· Administer chemicals into shaved heads of rabbits and guinea pigs
· Does not administer pain killers
· Products include: Bounce, Camay, Coast, Comet, Crest, Crisco, Dawn, Downy, Duncan Hines, Folgers, Ivory, Head & Shoulders, Jif, Joy, Secret, Max Factor, Pantene, Pringles, Sure, Tide, and Zest, among other popular products.

Gillette

· Products include: White Rain, Silkience, Toni Home Perms, Gillette Foamy Shaving Cream, Atra, Daisy, Trac II, Good News, Sensor and Sensor for Women, Soft & Dri, Right Guard, Dry Idea, Oral B Toothbrushes, Liquid Paper, Flair, Papermate, and Parker pens, who also produce Braun home appliances, among other products.

· Some Companies that produce vegan, or animal-free, products include: American Safety Razor, America’s Finest, Basic Elements Hair Care System, Inc., Benetton Cosmetics, Cotswold Perfumery, Deodorant Stones of America, Essential Aromatics, John Paul Mitchell Systems, Nature’s Best, Norelco, Pets ‘N People, and United Colors of Benetton Tribu.

· The following companies do not test their products on animals, but may have animal-derived ingredients in them: Abercrombie & Fitch, Almay, Avon, Babizon International, Bath & Body Works (The Limited), Body Glove Skin & Hair Care, Bonne Bell, Chanel, Inc., Christian Dior, Clinique, Dep Corporation, Estee Lauder, Flex (Revlon), Gucci Parfums, Henri Bendel, Jean Nate, Jessica McClintock, Inc., Jheri Redding (Conair), KMS Research, Liz Claiborne, Inc., Nexxus, Parfums Joop!, Pathmark Supermarkets General Corp., Prescriptives, Redken Laboritories, Revlon, Rusk, Sebastian International, Tom’s of Maine, Trader Joe’s Company, Tressa, Victoria’s Secret, and The Wella Corporation.

Back to home

Created 12/4/96