AP Lang, period 6
It’s all about our Looks How many people have your lipstick and mascara killed? Luckily, most makeup is tested on bunnies, cats, dogs, guinea pigs, and monkeys so there is no need to worry about that. Eminent cosmetic companies such as Maybelline, Sally Hansen, Neutrogena, and Cover Girl test their makeup products on animals. Companies use cosmetic testing as a defense to avoid law suits in case anything happens. Even Dove tests on animals which led to the death of its trademark. It’s unfortunate, but it’s so that we know your lipstick will not suddenly murder you. The few foolish companies that do not test on animals, such as Bath and Body Works, Burt’s Bees, Urban Decay, the Body Shop, M.A.C, Clinique, Kate Spade, E.L.F, Chanel, and Revlon, obviously don’t know what they’re doing. Cosmetic testing on innocent, living organisms is justified since they do not have any feelings and emotions at all. The European Commission’s Scientific Expert Committee has been spreading rumors by saying, “The safety of a product can be determined by knowing the ingredients.” Anyone who has common sense can tell that this is a lie. How can one possibly tell if an ingredient is safe is it is not first tested on a mouse or rabbit?
The tests that are done on animals allow them to gladly take death when it comes. For example, monkeys have been seen trying to commit suicide in their cages after surviving a series of cosmetic tests. Also, rabbits are kept in cases that secure their necks so when they squirm away from the scientists trying to put substances in their eyes, they twist so hard that they wring their own necks. Cosmetic testing allows the insignificant animals to actually be of use so that you can safely put on your concealer. Beauty shops, like Bath and Body Works, sell lip gloss, hand sanitizer, lotions, shampoo, perfume, etc. and they do not rely on animal testing. Most animal tests are conducted on rats and mice. Although, most of the data
Cited: Murnaghan, Ian. "Animal Testing on Cosmetics." AboutAnimaltesting. AboutAnimaltesting, 29 Oct. 2014. Web. 5 Nov. 2014. This article is talking about now Cosmetic animal testing in banned in the UK but still prominent in countries like the United States. It says that there is controversy over this kind of animal testing because animals have to suffer and die just so that humans can be aesthetically pleasing to look at. The author says, “They do not, however, support animal testing for cosmetics [as opposed to medical testing] because the cost to the animals doesn’t justify the research, which is really about enhancing appearances for humans.” The audience could be anyone but targeted mostly towards women to inform them on this issue. This article supports my article but arguing against cosmetic animal testing. ProCon. "Animal Testing - ProCon.org." ProConorg Headlines. ProCon.com, 29 Jan. 2014. Web. 05 Nov. 2014. This website is a list of pros and cons for both sides of the story. It also gives an overview of the situation. It says, “An estimated 26 million animals are used every year in the United States for scientific and commercial testing.” The author seems to be someone who is very knowledgeable in this field. The audience this time is everyone because it gives both sides of the story. It helped me decide what side I should argue for, while still being knowledgeable about the opposing side. WordPress. "Animal Welfare and Ethics on Cosmetic Testing » Pros and Cons." Animal Welfare and Ethics on Cosmetic Testing » Pros and Cons. UBC, 2007. Web. 05 Nov. 2014. This article is similar to the one above except it talks about the advantages and disadvantages on both sides of cosmetic testing while the one before looked at testing as a whole. This one was more useful because it fit my topic specifically. This author also seems knowledgeable in this field. He targets mostly women because he focuses on makeup to inform girls on this issue.