Animal Testing

Animal testing refers to procedures carried out on living creatures for the study of illness, medicine, and basic biology. Many cosmetics such as shampoo, deodorant, and other makeup products are tested on animals along with different medicines and drugs. Often the procedures which are tested on these animals have potential to cause these animals harm and psychological distress. That is one of the reasons why animal testing is looked down upon and many companies are choosing to go cruelty free.

Common procedures done on animals include:

1. Exposure to drugs, chemicals or infectious disease at levels that cause illness, pain and distress, or death. This type of testing is often used to test certain products and collect research.

2. Genetic manipulation. This involves altering the genetic material of an animal by adding, removing, or changing the DNA sequence of an animal in a way which is not natural.

3. Infliction of wounds, burns and other injuries. Often animals are harmed to study the healing process of their wounds.

4. Short periods of physical restraint. This is often done for observations and examinations of the animals.

These are just a few of the procedures which are performed on animals. Often animals pass away or are harmed in the process of being tested on. Some common animals that are tested on include rabbits, mice, rats, and fish. The Humane Society International thinks that full disclosure of data regarding animal use is essential, and that statistics should include all animals raised, used, or killed for research.