December 28, 2011
Leaving Animals Out of the Cosmetics Picture
By ABBY ELLIN
THE actress Kristin Bauer, takes a black marker and writes on the sides of specific products and cosmetics, “Tested on animals.” She states that “It’s so simple for me: we shouldn’t be torturing animals to test cosmetics,” said Ms. Bauer, a vegetarian who lives in Los Angeles.
Ms. Bauer is the spokeswoman for an organization against animal testing, Ms. Bauer has a mission: to get more people to use makeup and toiletries[1] not tested on rabbits, guinea pigs, mice or rats. “Cruelty-free[2]” has been a basic belief of some companies like Aveda, the Body Shop and Kiss My Face. Other more glamorous brands are joining this belief; such as models Josie Maran (josiemarancosmetics.com) and Christie Brinkley (christiebrinkleyskincare.com) and the designer Stella McCartney (Care by Stella McCartney).
Consumers seem to prefer products not tested on animals, said Nancy Beck, a scientist. Dr. Beck, who has a doctorate in microbiology stated that, “science has changed, and we have the technology to do tests without using animals.”
On March 11, 2009, the European Union prohibited cosmetics and toiletries companies to test their products on animals. The decision also prohibited the import of cosmetics containing ingredients that have been tested on animals.
But the United States has no similar law. The only one is a law called the Safe Cosmetics Act of 2011, which encourages the development of alternatives to animal testing but does not prohibit animal testing.
Some companies use confusing names such as:“cruelty-free”, “not tested on animals,” or even “all-natural”. Michelle Larner, a makeup artist in New York, thought she was using only products not tested on animals. But then she went to the Web site of the animal rights organization People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), which lists companies that do and don’t test on animals.
She was surprised to discover that “everything I use, from mascara, toothpaste, deodorant and feminine products were on the list of companies which test products on animals. Even my laundry cleaning products are on this list.”
A majority of products made without animal testing are independent brands difficult to find in drugstores, department stores or specialty stores, she added. It also would be easier “if the products had a disclaimer[3] saying, ‘Yes, we test on animals,’” Ms. Larner said. “I would not buy those products."
Some organizations have been trying to change that. PETA licenses its “cruelty-free bunny” logo[4]. Leaping Bunny, a program run by the Coalition for Consumer Information on Cosmetics, licenses a rabbit logo to companies the organization has certified as cruelty-free. It also provides consumers with a list of these companies.
COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS
1. Ms. Bauer is ______animal testing.
a. In favor of b. against
2. Which one of these companies is NOT “cruelty-free”?
a. The Body Shop b. Avon c. Aveda
3. According to Dr. Beck, why is animal testing (for cosmetics) not necessary?
a. We have new technology c. The European Union prohibited
4. Which country or countries protect more the animals against cruelty?
a. The European Union b. The United States
5. What happened to Ms. Larner?
a. She got confused with the term “natural’ b. She joined PETA
6. What can you do to really buy a “cruelty-free” cosmetic product?
a. Buy products with a bunny logo b. Stop using make up
[1] Toiletries: things like soap, shampoo, toothpaste.
[2] Cruelty-free: No animals are hurt
[3] Disclaimer: Note
[4] Logo: symbol