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06.17.02 - 6:11 As with the other papers Ive listed oner where my links are, this is free to use or take ideas from. I figure that since I spend a lot of time on it, and only one or two other people get to see it, that others should be able to use it too. I have no objection. You dont even have to tell me. How great is that?!?!
Cosmetic animal testing is a very controversial issue. It not only affects animals, but the humans who use products that have been tested on animals. There are many aspects of animal testing that are cruel and wrong, and the process of cosmetic animal testing should be stopped. "The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated." In the United States, we treat our animals extremely poorly. We are allowed to breed them for the sole purpose of killing them by injecting toxic chemicals into their body. What does this say of us? Cosmetic animal testing is immoral and it should be removed from United States tradition. This issue is a major problem because of its effect on animals. Each year, between 17 and 70 million animals are tortured and/or killed. Nobody knows the exact number because rats, mice, and birds make up 80-90 percent of the animals used in experiments, and they are not covered by the Animal Welfare Act, so their numbers do not have to be recorded. Also, 5 billion tax dollars go into animal testing each year. Although most of it is used for scientific animal research concerning diseases such as cancer and AIDS, that money is also used for cosmetic animal testing. Another reason that this is a problem is because there is a large gap between the reaction to a certain substance between a rat and a human. There are even changes from animal to animal in experiments, so how does this help the researchers know how harmful it may be to humans? There have been recorded cases of a product being tested on animals and proved to be safe on them, but the people who used it encountered toxic reactions and were negatively affected by the product. Cosmetic animal testing affects almost every person in the United States. Anyone who uses a product that has been tested by cruelty to animals, although they may be unaware, is promoting animal testing. The blame is not on them because companies such as Procter and Gamble, Dial, Clorox, and Johnson and Johnson frequently neglect to tell consumers about the horrible tests that they have performed in order to make these products 'safer' to the buyer. Cosmetic animal testing affects animals, as well. Not only are millions of animals bought from suppliers just to be killed by the toxic chemicals, but research facilities pick up animals off the street, whether they are stray cat or dog or a family pet that is just lost. Companies also buy animals from animal shelters or pounds. The worst of all is when they get them for free from unsuspecting people when animal owners advertise animals "Free to a Good Home." "Their politics are confined to bread and salt." When Gandhi said this, he was referring to the people of India who only knew of what was most important to them: bread and salt. To me, this also means that they had little voice for themselves as individuals, and needed the help of the masses to aid them. If many small voices unite, they can become a very large one. This applies to both animals and humans in the battle against cosmetic animal testing. The animals cannot speak for themselves, and so they have little 'politics.' They need the help of the masses to assist their cause. This also applies to humans. It is hard for one single person to compete with giant corporations, and so is the masses unite against these companies, they will be better heard. However, Gandhi also said, "If you are a minority of one, the truth is still the truth." Even if only one person was against cosmetic animal testing, it is still cruel and evil. No amount money, promises, or lies can change what will always be true. In this case, the truth is that animals should not be subject to such barbarous treatment. There is only one solution to this problem: get the companies to stop animal testing. But many companies have been doing animal testing for years. One of the ways to convince them to stop would be to have a mass boycott of their goods. This way it would tell the company that they should stop cosmetic animal testing if they want to increase profit. People against animal testing could also put out a paper or a magazine dedicated solely to the fight against cosmetic animal testing. "Without a journal of some kind you cannot unite a community." Gandhi said this referring to the commune-like civilization that he set up in South Africa. They printed a journal so that all of the members could learn what was new and outsiders could get a taste of what Gandhi was doing. This also applies to this cause. With some sort of paper to update people on the status of companies and what was being done, a large number of people could come together for one cause. Another option is to make testing methods that do not involve animals free or much cheaper than they already are. There are currently many ways to avoid animal testing, yet still deem products same for humans. These methods include in-vitro tests, computer programs, and using ingredients from lists that have already been declared safe. All these alternatives are common, more accurate, and cheaper, not to mention that they save the lives of millions of animals each year. One tactic that could be used would be to make the Animal Welfare Act cover more animals and declare that animal testing is wrong and inhumane. As it stands, only live or dead dogs, cats, non-human primates, guinea pigs, hamsters, rabbits, and other warm-blooded are covered. This list may seem to include many animals, but most of the tests are performed rats, mice, and birds, all animals that are not covered under this act. Also, a law could mandate animal testing illegal. Currently, all animal testing is legal, though not mandated by the United States. In order for a cosmetic or household product item to be placed on the market, by law, it is not required to be tested on animals. Although in many countries pharmaceutical and prescription drugs must be tested on animals, cosmetics and household products do not have to perform animal testing. "There are unjust laws as there are unjust men." Gandhi used this to describe the laws in South Africa and Mr. Smuts. This quote can relate to cosmetic animal testing in two ways. I would not go as far as to say that the laws regarding cosmetic animal testing are unjust, but they definitely need to be improved. The Animal Welfare Act is definitely a step in the right direction; it makes the public begin to realize that there is a problem. However, the act does not go far as to covering enough species and it does not even touch upon animal experimentation. Also, there are many unjust men (and women) in this business. All scientists that work at these laboratories are unjust because they are so cruel to the innocent animals. More unjust people are those who allow it to happen, such as CEO?s of companies who mandate that the products be tested on animals instead of using alternative testing methods. "Where there is injustice I always believe in fighting. The question is do you fight to change things or do you fight to punish?" Gandhi was very clever to say this, and it directly connects to this issue. Cosmetic animal testing is a huge injustice. But should companies change their policies, or should they simply be punished by having to give back to the community in some way, and then continue on with the testing? I believe that in order to fully please all those who wish for the cruel experimentation to stop, both must be pursued. Gandhi wanted the best for his nation, but he knew that to do anything he must first achieve independence from England. From there he could go further. This similar thought process must be established with animal testing. First, all the companies should stop testing on animals, and only then can other talks start. Tactic #1: Write a letter to a newspaper stating that a gathering will be held to discuss methods of change for animal testing. Reaction #1: The newspaper will print the letter, informing people of what is to take place. Tactic #2: Gathering is held and have media there to cover the issue. A journal or paper is distributed to inform people. Reaction #2: More people are informed of the issue and are on the side against cosmetic animal testing. Now many more people will be able to spread the word that it should be stopped. Tactic #3: Mass boycott of goods by consumers. Convince stores not to carry certain products made by companies that test on animals. Reaction #3: Some companies may decide to switch to alternative methods before they lose too much profit. Others may hold strong to their ways, and may advertise more or try to manipulate people into thinking that they do not use animal testing by wording letters and speeches very well. Tactic #4: Hold a protest or rally to get the attention of the public. Invite the media so that more attention is placed on the subject. Invite famous figures to join in your cause or to help sway the people to do so. Response #4: More people will be interested in the fight against cosmetic animal testing, and more companies may switch to alternative methods. As long as the protests are peaceful and legal, nobody will be arrested. There are not certain laws that are being fought against, so civil disobedience to the law is not necessary. Tactic #5: Hold a strike of workers that work for companies that use animal testing. If the companies have no workers, then they cannot function. Final Response: Because no workers were working, all the companies that used cosmetic animal testing will stop. They have already lost profit from the mass boycott of goods, and without workers they cannot function.
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