Wildlife Wednesdays: Push to Ban Animal Testing on Cosmetics

Several U.S. states are considering a ban on the sale of cosmetics that have been tested on animals. Animal testing has been going on for decades, using rabbits, mice, and rats to test products such as lotions, shampoos, and makeup to determine if it is safe enough to use on humans. Advocates have argued for years that testing on animals is cruel and outdated. The good news is many companies in the United States already use non-animal tested products. California, Nevada, and Illinois created a law that took effect in the beginning of the year that bans the sale or import of animal-tested cosmetics. The ban requires cosmetic sellers to use non-animal testing to prove their products are safe to use. 

The largest problem is China, which requires that cosmetics sold undergo testing on animals. This includes makeup, perfume, and hair products. The new law banning animal testing in these states is hoping that it puts pressure on the U.S. government to pass a nationwide ban to help end China's testing on animals. This U.S. ban would hopefully push Chinese cosmetics companies to rely on non-animal tests if they want to sell their products in the United States. Animal-tested cosmetics are already banned in Europe and India. 

Animal rights groups, such as Cruelty Free International, and the Humane Society of the United States, hope to get more states on board and pass bans to end testing of products on animals. Supporters also mention that science has advanced enough to allow companies to use non-animal alternatives. Examples include human cell cultures, or lab-grown human skin and eye tissue.