Activity

Animal Testing

Key Learning

Students will explore ethical concepts in the context of animal testing. Students will consider the consequences of including or excluding animal testing in science.

The Australian Curriculum
Science / Science as a Human Endeavour / Use and influence of science / Science / Science Inquiry Skills / Communication
Science andtechnologycontribute to finding solutions to a range of contemporary issues; these solutions may impact on other areas of society and involve ethical considerations(ACSHE120)

Scientific knowledge is used to inform personal and community decisions(ACSHE220) (ACSHE217)

Science knowledge helps people to understand the effect of their actions(ACSHE062)
/ Communicate ideas, explanations and processes in a variety of ways, includingmulti-modal texts(ACSIS093)(ACSIS110)

Communicate ideas, findings and solutions to problems usingscientific languageand representations usingdigital technologiesas appropriate(ACSIS133)

General Capabilities / Ethical Understanding / Learning Continuum
  • Understanding ethical concepts and issues
  • Reasoning in decision making and actions
  • Exploring values, rights and responsibilities
LinkEthical understanding

Discussion Questions

  1. Discuss the BtN Animal Testing story as a class. Record the main points of your discussion.
  2. Complete this sentence. For more than 40 years nearly every cosmetic product sold was tested on ______.
  3. List some of the animals that were used most often to test the safety of cosmetics?
  4. What decade did the media help bring the issue of animal testing to Australian people?
  5. Describe the labels that companies put on cosmetic products to show that they are cruelty free?
  6. Recently consumer awareness group Choice revealed many customers are actually being misled about the labelling of cruelty free cosmetics. Discuss this statement as a class.
  7. What country requires that cosmetic products need to be tested on animals by law?
  8. What cosmetics company is refusing to sell their products in China?
  9. How did this story make you feel?
  10. Can you think of some cosmetics companies/brands? Visit the Choice checklist to see what brands do and do not test their products on animals.

Activities

K-W-H-L
  • After watching the BtN Animal Testing story invite students to participate in a class discussion. Find out what your students know about animal testing, what they learnt from the story and what questions they have about the topic. Here are some discussion starters:

Conduct your own research
  • As a class look at the Choice checklist of cosmetics companies/brands that do and do not test their products on animals. Ask students what they found surprising about the checklist. Visit some familiar brand’s websites to find out if their products are certified as having not been tested on animals.
  • Generate a class discussion to further explore ethical concepts in the context of animal testing. Ask students to consider the consequences of including or excluding animal testing in science.
Mini debate

Before preparing for the mini-debate, students will identify the ethical and moral issues related to animal testing. Choose a statement to use for your mini-debate.

Preparing for your mini debate

  • Working in pairs, students will prepare a 1-2 minute speech for a mini debate on the topic of animal rights. One person will speak for the affirmative and the other will speak for the negative.
  • Before students begin to construct their argument, ask them to record what they already know about the topic and what they would like to find out. Students then research the topic to gain a greater understanding of the issue.
  • Ask students to list their arguments in point form on paper (without their partner seeing them). When they have done this, ask them to choose the five best points that will form the basis for their debate.
  • Students will write in point form, their debate on cards that fit into the palm of their hand. Their debate needs to have an introduction (introducing the topic), middle (three main points) and a conclusion (restating their position). Students practise their speech and then present the mini debate to other students.

 Related Research Links

ABC News – Consumers ‘being misled’ over cruelty free cosmetics

CBBC – Why does animal testing happen?

RSPCA – Are animals used for cosmetics testing in Australia?

PeTA – All About Animals: Animal Testing

Choice – Checklist of brands that do and do not test on animals

Behind the News – Animal Rights

©ABC 2013