Stop Testing Beauty Products on Animals

A. Gautam

In many parts of the world, animals in the lab are suffering for lipstick and shampoo. Innocent creatures have chemicals shoved down their throats. Imagine the fear animals feel when chemicals are dripped into their eyes. Don’t forget about their skins being shaved and then chemicals poured on them. How unnecessary and cruel is that! What sense does that make in the 21st century with so many advancements in science and technology?

According to Humane Society International, yearly one to two hundred thousand animals suffer and lose their lives for cosmetic testing. The most commonly tested animals are rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, rats, and mice. Between 85 and 95% of these animals are not protected by the law.

Typical tests consist of examining skin and eye irritation. And there are force-feeding studies that go on for weeks for months, which look for any signs of illness or health risks. The risks are cancer or birth defects. Cruelest of all are the fatal tests in which animals have to consume a chemical until they die. This method is applied to determine the lethal dose of chemicals. For the animals that survive these tests, the side effects are disheartening and alarming. Some include blindness, swollen eyes, sore skin, external bleeding, internal bleeding, damage to organs, birth defects, seizures, and more. These suffering animals’ lives are then cut short by choice after the experiments end. And for all that pain, the testing isn’t even effective.

While there are many cruelty-free companies and products available, plenty of companies still conduct animal testing for cosmetics. The reason behind this cruelty is unnecessary and illogical. Anytime a new chemical is introduced, the companies opt to perform animal testing. However, there is always a choice of non-animal test. There needs to be non-animal test options for every possible side effect. The gaps in testing that only depend on animal testing should be filled.

As with anything, you can take actions to help put an end to these cruel animal tests for cosmetics. First, check the products you use and make sure they are cruelty-free. Ask grown-ups around you to do the same. Educate your friends and family. If there aren’t enough consumers of products that allow animal testing, they will stop their cruel experiments.
Question
Which statement shows a conflicting viewpoint in the passage?
Responses
A The author claims there should always be a choice of testing without animals but also presents gaps in the tests that result in animals being tested. The author claims there should always be a choice of testing without animals but also presents gaps in the tests that result in animals being tested.
B The author claims there are cruelty-free products available but also presents information on popular products that are tested on animals. The author claims there are cruelty-free products available but also presents information on popular products that are tested on animals.
C The author explains how the tests on animals are cruel but also informs that there are tests that are not as cruel on animals that are tested.The author explains how the tests on animals are cruel but also informs that there are tests that are not as cruel on animals that are tested.
D The author describes the laws that do not protect animals but also presents laws that protect the companies that allow the testing to happen. The author describes the laws that do not protect animals but also presents laws that protect the companies that allow the testing to happen.