Jain Study Center NC Raleigh 1999 08 Twenty Years

Author(s): Jain Study Center NC Raleigh
Publisher: USA Jain Study Center NC Raleigh

Page 79

Easy Ahimsa...Just Switch Brands!
by Shilpa Shah
Maybe you've heard about how industries test products on animals. Maybe you already know that testing cosmetics and household cleaners on animals is not required by any law. But this unnecessary animal testing is done anyway. Why? Partly because some people still don't realize how futile it is to test human products on another species. Partly to protect industries from lawsuits. And, partly because industries don't change unless it affects their bottom line: sales.
Maybe you've heard the term, "testing on animals", but you aren't sure exactly what that means. Well, take it from me, it is unthinkably cruel. If you've thought about switching to brands which don't test on animals -- but just need a little motivation -- read on and you'll find it. Once you're ready to make some easy changes, read further about "What You Can Do".
The Facts:
Every year, approximately 14 million animals suffer and die in painful tests in an attempt to determine the "safety" of cosmetics and household products. There are fundamental scientific questions about whether results from testing on other species makes any sense for humans. Yet nearly every commercial brand of cosmetic and household product, such as toothpaste, lipstick, dishwashing liquid, and furniture polish, is tested on animals such as rabbits and dogs.
One type of test involves placing a certain amount of a concentrated solution into the eyes of conscious rabbits. Many rabbits break their necks or backs as they struggle to escape. The damage to the rabbits' eyes is then recorded at intervals over a long period of time. Reactions to the irritants include swelling of the eyelid, inflammation of the iris, ulceration, bleeding, and blindness. They usually receive no anesthesia or pain relieving drugs during the tests. Another type of test involves forcing the experimental substance into the animals' throats or pumping it into their stomachs by tube. This sometimes causes death by stomach rupture or from the sheer bulk of the chemical dosage.
Cosmetic and product tests on animals are NOT required by law. The US FDA (Food and Drug Administration) does not require any particular sort of tests. Testing methods are determined by the cosmetic and household product manufacturers. The test data are not used for the safety of the consumer, only to defend the companies against consumer lawsuits.
More Motivation
Additionally, many of these products contain ingredients from animal sources. Some of these ingredients include animal fat, bone meal (common in toothpaste), bee pollen (from the legs of bees), collagen (from animal tissue), tallow (beef fat, common in soap), and keratin (from horns and hoofs of various animals). These products are clearly not vegetarian. So why would you want to brush your teeth, balm your lips or lather up with a non-vegetarian products?
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