They are Living Creatures, not Test Dummies

Do you really think it is fair that we harm innocent animals to test the latest beauty
products or medications? Animal testing is still a common practice today used by
many industries in Australia. This cruel practice is used to develop and trial new
products and involves a wide range of animals. Each test causes different negative
effects to the animals involved. Whilst this is not required when alternative testing
options are available.
The latest cleaning products, medications and cosmetics that are used on a daily
basis are only some of the despicable industries which use a wide range of innocent
animals to test their products as part of their everyday routines. The tortured group of
animals used for testing are small marsupials such as rats, mice, guinea pigs and
rabbits, this is shameful as these are popular household pets. Rabbits are commonly
used by both cosmetic and cleaning companies to test for skin irritancy from using
their products, due to their large eyes. This has large effects on the animals
wellbeing. Mice has been proven to predict harmful toxicity in humans with only 65%
accuracy. Mice are currently used by LOral and Colgate-Palmolive and Co in the
development of their new products, causing them to be poisoned, burnt and killed
along the way. Ajax test their common household Spray and Wipe on a range of
small marsupials to see the long term effects of exposure to chemicals, including
developing abnormalities, irritations and cancer. These animals shouldnt pay the
price of providing these multi-million dollar companies with a cheap and harmful way
of testing their products.
After exposure to the range of products tested, most animals develop permanent
negative effects up to and including death. During all testing practices it is common
for animals to develop growths, tumours, eye and skin irritation, mental illness,
blindness and cancer. More than 6 million animals are used in testing research
annually throughout Australia. Many of those animals are subject to stress and pain
during the process. This pain can be excruciating, as no aesthetic is used. How cruel
can we be? Over 50% of animals used in testing are killed. Others suffer and are
exposed to abnormal diets, isolation, overcrowding and un-natural living habitats.
These scenarios affect the animals mental wellbeing. Torturing these defenceless
animals is inhumane, unjust and unnecessary, put an end to this is pain and
suffering.
There are currently safe and positive different alternatives to animal testing which
have been appropriately developed. These developments have been created in
countries where the use of animals is prohibited. Alternatives being used include cell
and tissue cultures, as well as computer modelling techniques. In addition,
companies also can advertise for human volunteers who willing agree to trial the
products. Cell and tissue testing has so far proven to be 75% accurate at predicting

the toxicity of a product in humans compared to a mouse providing 65% accuracy.

Given this statistic there is no justification for companies to use animals such as
mice, when there is an alternative which is more accurate. Computer modelling is
able to simulate human biology and therefore predict how the human body will react
to substances including medications. These programs can also track the movement
of developing diseases. With safe, fair and consistent alternatives available there is
many new avenues for industries to explore.
The testing of products on innocent animals should no longer be a common practice
by any industry in Australia. An enormous range of animals are tortured and exposed
to a variety of diseases and deformities through testing procedures which ultimately
cause their immediate or premature death. With the technology available in todays
current economy there are safe and reliable alternatives available. The use of
animals for testing in Australia should be prohibited and every animal should be
given their right to a safe and enjoyable life.

Bibliography
Australia, A. (n.d.). Animal Experimentation. Retrieved from Animals
Australia:
http://www.animalsaustralia.org/issues/animal_experimentation.php

Australia, A. (n.d.). Animal Testing. Retrieved from Animals Australia

Unleashed:
http://www.unleashed.org.au/change_the_world/animal_testing/

Free, C. C. (2105). Animal Tests. Retrieved from Choose Cruelty Free:

http://www.choosecrueltyfree.org.au/animal-tests/

Peta. (n.d.). Animals used for experimentation. Retrieved from PETA:

http://www.peta.org/issues/animals-used-for-experimentation/

Victoria, R. (2015). Testing on animals. Retrieved from RSPCA Victoria:

http://www.rspcavic.org/issues-take-action/testing-on-animals/