Ropalo 1

Milana Ropalo

Mrs. Ingram

English 111

22 January 2025

Voice for Animals

pain, to the viewer's dismay. They may be children or teenagers who tie up cats or abuse their pet

dog. Many animal lovers may feel sympathy for animals in films like these, but few know that

animal abuse is more common in the professional field than society may think. Many cosmetics

that the everyday person may use can consist of a background of abuse. It can be a facial cream

or a mascara, and yet as simple as the product may be animals may be tested on with someone’s

favorite product. Even with new technology, some places and companies still require animal

testing of their cosmetic products. Testing may include holding chemicals in the eyes or

ingesting the products for elongated periods to look for negative responses. Why should millions

of animals endure abuse and torture if cheaper alternatives exist? Even if someone may not care

about animals, why does it matter if the issue is solved? Does animal testing keep people safe?

92% of drugs that may have been said to be safe because of animal testing turn out to be unsafe

for human use. Animal testing outlines the issues in society today and the meaningless

upbringing of pain and negative effects on animals and humans.

Animals, from rats to cows, horses, and llamas, are cruelly tested today. They are put

through unnecessary procedures that permanently and fatally affect them. Throughout their lives,

they are put under bright fluorescent lights in cages and performed on until inevitably chemicals

kill them or they are killed after the effects of testing leave them miserable. An example of a test
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is when “a ‘substance (such as bleach, shampoo, or ink) is then placed in one eye’ and their ‘eye

is then held closed.’ The test can last as long as three weeks and cause severe reactions such as

ulceration, infection, bleeding, and the ‘eye[] los[ing] all distinguishing characteristics’” (qtd. In

Rameshk 1838). The long and severe tests go beyond the reality of how these products may be

used. Once the tests are over and the necessary results are achieved, these animals are left

without skin, eyes or vital abilities to function. Many tests vary and “another test relevant to

cosmetics [is] dermal toxicity studies, where the animals’ fur is removed so there is direct access

to the skin. These studies ‘are generally poor predictors of humanskin reactions’ and do not

produce reliable results” (qtd. In Rameshk 1839). Humans are vastly different from animals and

while there are similarities, they are depended on to decide whether or not products are safe.

Although, there are exceptions. Many companies that do perform animal testing are required to if

they are centered in China. Where animal testing is a requirement. Many can argue that this is

why there may still be animal testing. For America, it is unneeded to do animal testing, unlike

China which requires it for products to be sold. Even China has lowered its expectations of

animal testing though. “In 2021, China did change its laws by allowing brands ‘to sell imported

non-special use cosmetics’ without requiring animal tests. Non-special use cosmetics include

skincare, hair care, nail care, makeup, and perfumes” (Rameshk 1849). Unfortunately, this does

not include every cosmetic item. Many companies can claim a cruelty-free label because they are

not centered in America. Instead, it is important to look at what other studies humans can rely on.

Many animals have been used because of their similarity to human skin, but it has been

shown that while there are similarities, they may react differently. To make sure humans are safe

when using cosmetics, other technologies can be used to replicate human skin. For example, “In

animal experiments for human medications, 92% of drugs that are initially deemed safe in
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animal trials are later deemed ineffective or unsafe for human use” (Sherman 39). It has been

made clear that there is a distinct difference between animal and human skin. Cosmetic products

cannot be trusted to be completely safe through animal testing alone. Through these differences,

it is unnecessary and inaccurate to use animals. Instead, other techniques can show the

effectiveness of products. Human stem cells can be grown to show accurate results, without any

pain to a human. Stem cells are naturally found in the human body, able to multiply, and do not

have a specific function. They “ also present the opportunity to test chemicals on human tissues

without the need to account for differences in species and physiology” (Sherman 39). It is

cheaper and less work to use the technology. While technology can be seen as something that has

waste too, the effects of animal testing spread outside of the animals.

Animal testing poses a risk of chemical waste being produced in the environment, which

can harm humans. Animals in labs are contaminated with chemicals and have shorter lifespans.

They are eventually thrown away and have to be disposed of somewhere. Throughout our

environment “the most prominent chemically and biologically hazardous waste produced are

animal carcasses and tissues that contain toxic chemicals” (Corbett). The waste seeps into the

earth and water, hurting nature and the human environment. Another method that has been tried

is burning the animals, which is “also extremely harmful to human health, causing chronic illness

and developmental delays in nearby populations” (Corbett). It has been shown that there is no

way to safely dispose of the contaminated bodies, further showing an urgency to find an

alternative. The animals die and cause more damage beyond their deaths. While it is good to

focus on the animals’ well-being, it is also important to recognize the well-being of humans.

Throughout history, animals have been used to determine the safety of cosmetic products.

New technology and studies have shown that animal testing is unnecessary and harmful. Human
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skin cells show accurate results and are cheaper and less harmful to the environment compared to

animal testing. Humans experience the harmful effects, too, and it is important to speak out for

the helpless victims of animal cruelty. With new regulations and rules, animals will have

freedom in the cosmetic field. Other countries such as China cannot stop animal cruelty yet, but

steps are being taken. Soon, companies will be able to hold labels saying they are proudly

cruelty-free.

Works Cited

Sherman, Savannah. “Cosmetic Animal Testing: The Future of Cruelty-Free Beauty in Florida.”

Florida Bar Journal, vol. 97, no. 1, Jan. 2023, pp. 38–41. EBSCOhost,

research.ebsco.com/linkprocessor/plink?id=e6515953-dab5-39ba-967d-75fe15e2223e.
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Rameshk, Alysha Z. “Animal Cruelty--"Because You’re Worth It": Advocating for the Passage

of Cruelty-Free Cosmetics Laws.” Iowa Law Review, vol. 109, no. 4, May 2024, pp.

1835–61. EBSCOhost, research.ebsco.com/linkprocessor/plink?id=6f2b452c-061f-3c40-

a9e0-05d47946f218.

Corbett, Rebekah. “Animal Research: An Environmental Perspective.” Faunalytics, 2019,

faunalytics.org/animal-research-an-environmental-perspective/.