The subject of animal testing and experimentation is very complicated. There are many conflicting views and opinions. Reported figures are often inaccurate (for a number of reasons) and research findings can be skewed and misleading.
I’ve tried to provide a brief and concise overview based on information I have read. Organisations such as PETA, Humane Society International (HSI) and Cruelty Free International all share extensive information about animal testing and are excellent sources if you’d like to know more. I’ve included links to their websites at points below.
As a warning, this information isn’t easy to read, but it is happening every single day. You don’t have to look too hard to find news articles, photos or videos exposing the horrific nature of animal testing, some of which show puppies, kittens and rabbits that are frightened and in pain. They are upsetting and impossible to forget. Wherever and whenever you shop, please shop cruelty-free and help to put an end to this barbaric and outdated practice.
What does animal testing mean?
Animal testing refers to any procedure, scientific experiment or test carried out on living animals for the purposes of research or determining the effectiveness and safety of new medicines or consumer products such as cosmetics and household cleaners. The types of experiments are extensive but some common ones include:
- Forced exposure to toxins either by forced inhalation, forced ingestion, by injection or directly onto the skin or eyes
- Inflicting injuries such as wounds and burns to study healing
- Exposure to chemicals
- Mutilation
- Poisoning
All procedures, without exception, have the potential to cause pain, suffering and psychological distress. Animals are restrained and, in some cases, their eyes are held open with clips. Substances may be left on their skin or eyes for up to two weeks and it’s highly unlikely that they will be given any kind of pain relief. Most animals are killed once the experimentation is complete, their bodies are then used for further testing and research. Those that do survive, and haven’t experienced irreversible damage, may be used for repeat tests and experiments. Find out more about types of animal testing here.
What animals are used?
Many people think that animal testing is carried out on mice and rats but in fact, all over the world, rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, dogs, cats and monkeys are used for animal testing. In some instances, horses and farm animals are supplied by dealers for experimentation. Many animals, including dogs are bred specifically for animal testing, even here in the UK. It is a multi-million pound industry. In the UK, over 1.25 million animals were bred for testing, some of which were genetically altered.
How many animals are used each year?
HSI estimates that more that 115 million animals worldwide are used for testing each year but this figure is likely to be much, much higher. In the US for example, laboratory bred mice, rats and birds are excluded from these figures. Cruelty Free International estimates that almost 200 million animals are used for scientific purposes each year.
In Europe, it is estimated that 12 million animals are used for testing each year. The UK accounts for 3 million of these placing them in the top three along with France and Germany. Again, this figure is likely to be much higher as animals bred in the UK for research but killed without experimentation, are not included in these figures. In the UK in 2022, over 4000 dogs were used for experiments, the vast majority of these being beagles.
The UK is considered to be one of the top ten countries in the world for each of the following: animal testing, testing using dogs and testing using monkeys. Only 10% of the tests carried out in the UK were required by law.
What does the law say?
Having already banned the testing of cosmetic products on animals, in March 2009 the EU prohibited animal-testing of cosmetic ingredients within the EU. Then in March 2011, the EU banned the sale of cosmetics (products and ingredients) that have been tested on animals. This means that animals must not be used for the testing of cosmetic ingredients and cosmetic products in the EU and these must not be sold within the EU. It doesn’t however stop these products or ingredients being imported and it doesn’t stop EU companies testing their products elsewhere and then selling them outside of the EU. It also doesn’t apply to household products such as washing powder and washing up liquid. PETA is urging the government to end this testing too. Find out more here.
It’s worth noting here that China insists that cosmetics and household products are tested on animals before being sold. This means that, regardless on their own stance, companies that sell their products in China are agreeing to, and therefore supporting, animal testing (more on that in a second).
Although the EU testing ban on cosmetics is a hugely positive step, there are certain limitations to this law which does in fact mean that animal testing is carried out in some circumstances (find out more here).
Are the findings from animal testing flawed?
Yes! Not only is animal testing extremely cruel and horrific, it’s ineffective. Animals are not the same as humans. Animals do not develop many of the diseases or illnesses that humans do and therefore, symptoms of them are artificially created so that humans can study the effects of potential medicines. Treatments that are considered effective in animals, or products that are considered safe, rarely translate to humans. Nine out of ten medicines that appear safe and effective in animal trials fail when given to humans. To give two examples:
- Cancer has been cured in mice for years but this hasn’t been the case when transferred to human studies
- A drug used to treat arthritis was considered safe when tested on six different animal species, including monkeys, but has caused over 200,000 heart attacks, strokes and deaths in humans worldwide
What are the alternatives to animal testing?
There’s no humane way to poison animals or observe the effects of a chemical. There are many modern alternatives that do not require animals that work equally well, if not better.
The development of non-animal based testing is growing rapidly. These tests are often cheaper, quicker and more effective. This doesn’t mean using humans instead, it means using developments in artificial intelligence (AI), computational biology and cell-based screening systems using high speed robots.
Scientists can now grow almost every type of human and animal cell in a lab and have even been able to grow them into miniature human organs which can provide a more realistic means of testing. These developments have been fundamental in the study of diseases and are commonly used in testing the safety of chemicals.
With the rapid developments of AI, computers can now replicate aspects of the human body, creating exciting opportunities for alternatives to animal testing. Find out more here.
If there are alternatives, why are they not being implemented?
Unfortunately, many still consider animal testing to be the most effective way to pilot and develop new products and medicines. Overall there is a distinct lack of knowledge and understanding about the alternatives available and implementing these requires a change to the way that things have been done for hundreds of years. It means investing time and money into new practices and technology.
Clever language
Many companies will make bold statements that oppose the use of animal testing of any kind. They will claim that they are against animal testing and state that they are a cruelty free company. BUT, and there are a few buts…
…they may in fact use ingredients that have been tested on animals by other companies. They themselves haven’t carried out any animal testing, but they have paid another company to do so.
…they may state that they only carry out animal testing where it is required by law. In China, most cosmetics and household products must be tested by Chinese authorities before they can be sold to Chinese consumers. More often than not, this involves animal testing. If a company sells their product in China, they are likely agreeing to animal testing.
…they may state that they only carry out animal testing if there is no other suitable alternative. It’s highly unlikely that there isn’t an alternative that doesn’t require the use of animals.
What does the future look like?
Organisations such as PETA, Cruelty Free International and Humane Society International continue to lobby governments and companies to make changes. They have been instrumental in encouraging regulators to change legislation and to adopt testing that doesn’t involve the use of animals. Science and computer technology is advancing at a fantastic pace, providing more and more alterative and effective means of testing new products and medicines. As an individual, opting for cruelty free brands helps to make a stand against animal testing and prevents companies funding and carrying out this practice.
