Will People’s Consumption of Cosmetics Change When Informed about Animal Testing?
Leslie Rodriguez & Elizette Herrera
Proviso Mathematics and Science Academy
(Period 2)
Abstract
Throughout time women have always used cosmetics to enhance their beauty. Cosmetics hit a turning point when animals, because of the abundance started being used and tested upon. The testing for cosmetic companies only increased because of so much “want” and “need.” As more companies started testing on animals the number of killing for each test only increased. This literature review examines one main approach; making people/ the public aware of the “ugly” side of cosmetics, animal testing.
Will People’s Consumption of Cosmetics Change When Informed about Animal Testing?
Animal testing has always been a problem but it just has not been publicized. Thousands of animals are treated cruel and inhumane while doing these test. More and more animals are being killed without a say. The lack of knowledge might be the reason to the continuation of animal testing and the high demand of cosmetics that still do this. This literature review will review all aspects of animal testing in cosmetics through:
1. Information about animal testing
2. Information about cosmetics/ the brands that use animal testing
3. Information about why people choose the cosmetic brands they do
Understanding why everything is done and what is done is key to being aware of what happens to these animals.
Information about animal testing
Animal testing is a debate on whether it is needed and good or if it’s cruel and unneeded. Animal research has played a vital part in nearly every medical breakthrough over the last decade. Animals have been used to help test out chemicals that may hurt humans’ reason why scientist use animal testing. “To the huge number of medical treatments available thanks to animal research.” (Speaking of Research, 2008) “Furthermore, nearly every Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medication has also been reliant on the use of animals in research.” (Animal Research Info: Nobel Prize, 1901) these claims go for the pro side of animal testing. It states that animal testing helps human safety, improve our medications, and helps our everyday health. On the con side animal testing is frown upon. “Firstly, that the medical development can be continued without use of animals- using alternatives, non-animal methods.” (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, 2001) “Secondly, the differences between humans and other animals mean that scientist cannot meaningfully translate the research from one species to another.” (Animal aid, 2000)
Animal testing could be beneficial but the cruelty may be the reason why people look down upon it. “It’s estimated that thousands of mice, guinea pigs, rats, and rabbits suffer and aid in these test every year in the U.S. alone.”(Human Society, 2014) “Pain relief is rarely provided and the animals used are always killed at the end of each test.”(Human Society, 2014) Scientist could replace animal testing by using animal testing alternatives. “Scientist at private companies, universities, and governments’ agencies are developing new cell and tissue tests, computer models and other sophisticated methods to replace existing animal tests.” (Humane Society, 2013) “Using blood from human volunteers to test for the presence of fever- causing contaminants in intravenous medications can save thousands of rabbits each year from traditional ”pyrogenic” test” ( Humane Society, 2013) “ The predominant cell type in the outermost layer of skin that closely match keratinocytes generates from human embryonic stem cells.” (UPI News, 2014) these alternatives are economic and can stop the use of animal testing itself.
Knowing about what animal testing; the pros, the cons, the alternatives, are all ways to inform the consumer. In our research, if we show the facts and both sides of this debates we hope to see if there will be a change of purchase if the consumer is informed.
Information about the cosmetics/the brands that use animal testing
In cosmetics, beauty products are very high and demand. “The beauty industry continues to be one of the most resilient but also one of the most competitive industries around.” (Humane Society, 2014) In some companies they use animals to test their products such as Cover Girl, L’Oreal USA, MAC Cosmetics, Mary Kay, and Revlon. “Tests that use animals to assess the safety of cosmetics and personal care products-such as lipstick, mascara, shampoo, and cologne-are extremely common in the United States.” (Humane Society, 2014) It’s estimated that thousands of mice, guinea pigs, rats, and rabbits suffer and die in these tests every year in the United States alone. Pain relief is rarely provided and the animals used are always killed at the end of each test.
Information about the cosmetics and the brands that do animal testing will allow the public to know what companies are doing to these animals. If the public knows what goes on behind closed doors to these helpless animals we may see the number of products being sold by these companies decreasing. If beauty companies start to see that their numbers are going down they may want to stop animal testing for the sake of their company possibly going down.
Leslie Rodriguez & Elizette Herrera
Proviso Mathematics and Science Academy
(Period 2)
Abstract
Throughout time women have always used cosmetics to enhance their beauty. Cosmetics hit a turning point when animals, because of the abundance started being used and tested upon. The testing for cosmetic companies only increased because of so much “want” and “need.” As more companies started testing on animals the number of killing for each test only increased. This literature review examines one main approach; making people/ the public aware of the “ugly” side of cosmetics, animal testing.
Will People’s Consumption of Cosmetics Change When Informed about Animal Testing?
Animal testing has always been a problem but it just has not been publicized. Thousands of animals are treated cruel and inhumane while doing these test. More and more animals are being killed without a say. The lack of knowledge might be the reason to the continuation of animal testing and the high demand of cosmetics that still do this. This literature review will review all aspects of animal testing in cosmetics through:
1. Information about animal testing
2. Information about cosmetics/ the brands that use animal testing
3. Information about why people choose the cosmetic brands they do
Understanding why everything is done and what is done is key to being aware of what happens to these animals.
Information about animal testing
Animal testing is a debate on whether it is needed and good or if it’s cruel and unneeded. Animal research has played a vital part in nearly every medical breakthrough over the last decade. Animals have been used to help test out chemicals that may hurt humans’ reason why scientist use animal testing. “To the huge number of medical treatments available thanks to animal research.” (Speaking of Research, 2008) “Furthermore, nearly every Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medication has also been reliant on the use of animals in research.” (Animal Research Info: Nobel Prize, 1901) these claims go for the pro side of animal testing. It states that animal testing helps human safety, improve our medications, and helps our everyday health. On the con side animal testing is frown upon. “Firstly, that the medical development can be continued without use of animals- using alternatives, non-animal methods.” (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, 2001) “Secondly, the differences between humans and other animals mean that scientist cannot meaningfully translate the research from one species to another.” (Animal aid, 2000)
Animal testing could be beneficial but the cruelty may be the reason why people look down upon it. “It’s estimated that thousands of mice, guinea pigs, rats, and rabbits suffer and aid in these test every year in the U.S. alone.”(Human Society, 2014) “Pain relief is rarely provided and the animals used are always killed at the end of each test.”(Human Society, 2014) Scientist could replace animal testing by using animal testing alternatives. “Scientist at private companies, universities, and governments’ agencies are developing new cell and tissue tests, computer models and other sophisticated methods to replace existing animal tests.” (Humane Society, 2013) “Using blood from human volunteers to test for the presence of fever- causing contaminants in intravenous medications can save thousands of rabbits each year from traditional ”pyrogenic” test” ( Humane Society, 2013) “ The predominant cell type in the outermost layer of skin that closely match keratinocytes generates from human embryonic stem cells.” (UPI News, 2014) these alternatives are economic and can stop the use of animal testing itself.
Knowing about what animal testing; the pros, the cons, the alternatives, are all ways to inform the consumer. In our research, if we show the facts and both sides of this debates we hope to see if there will be a change of purchase if the consumer is informed.
Information about the cosmetics/the brands that use animal testing
In cosmetics, beauty products are very high and demand. “The beauty industry continues to be one of the most resilient but also one of the most competitive industries around.” (Humane Society, 2014) In some companies they use animals to test their products such as Cover Girl, L’Oreal USA, MAC Cosmetics, Mary Kay, and Revlon. “Tests that use animals to assess the safety of cosmetics and personal care products-such as lipstick, mascara, shampoo, and cologne-are extremely common in the United States.” (Humane Society, 2014) It’s estimated that thousands of mice, guinea pigs, rats, and rabbits suffer and die in these tests every year in the United States alone. Pain relief is rarely provided and the animals used are always killed at the end of each test.
Information about the cosmetics and the brands that do animal testing will allow the public to know what companies are doing to these animals. If the public knows what goes on behind closed doors to these helpless animals we may see the number of products being sold by these companies decreasing. If beauty companies start to see that their numbers are going down they may want to stop animal testing for the sake of their company possibly going down.