Is animal testing worth it?
With the knowledge our society has, should we really still be testing cosmetic products on animals.
Photo by Nicole Socko
With little being done to regulate the industry worldwide, many cosmetic companies are still testing their (potentially harmful) products on innocent animals.
Does your new lipstick really look cute enough to justify the murder of an innocent animal? According to PETA, each year, more than 100 million animals—including mice, rats, frogs, dogs, cats, rabbits, hamsters, guinea pigs, monkeys, fish, and birds—are killed in U.S. laboratories for biology lessons, medical training, curiosity-driven experiments, and chemical, drug, food, and cosmetics testing.
Humans are not the only animal on this planet who deserve proper rights and protection. As Mohandas K. Gandhi once said, “The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.”
Europe, the world’s largest cosmetic market, Israel and India have already banned animal testing for cosmetics, and the sale or import of newly animal-tested beauty products. So, why can’t the United States do the same when it comes to cosmetic animal testing?
Animals all around this nation are suffering, they are enduring harmful chemicals dripped down their throats and skin to then being killed, all for a new shampoo or foundation. Is the pain these creatures go through really worth a simple product that’s only use is vanity driven?
I’d hope most people’s answer to this question would be, of course not. Majority of shoppers aren’t even aware of what’s happening behind the scenes of these beauty companies, that’s why people need to discuss this more.
All you need to do to help is support “Cruelty-Free Companies” and avoid ones that still use animal testing. It’s just unnecessary to be risking animals lives if what we are testing isn’t crucial for survival like medicine.
Companies that are still using animal testing
- Maybelline
- Victoria Secret
- Benefit
- Avon
- NARS
- Chanel
- Mac
- E.L.F
- Wet N Wild
- Urban Decay
- Tarte Cosmetics
- Lush
- Covergirl
- Glossier
According to the Humane Society, California prohibits the sale of animal-tested cosmetics effective January of 2020. Hopefully, the other states will follow California’s lead and pass legislation to end animal testing for cosmetics.
Delaney is a senior at PMHS and it is her third year on The Red and Black. She is the Editor in Chief and in the past has held the title of Photo Editor....
Nicole is a senior here at PMHS, and this is her first year on the newspaper. She’s on the Varsity Tennis team, and is also participates in spring track....
Allyson Ferrari • Oct 8, 2019 at 10:51 am
As someone who is very into makeup I also believe that everyone should be using cruelty free brands, even if that means they have to stop using some of their favorite products and find new ones. No product is worth the harm of an innocent animal.