Comments on: Artificial Skin May Reduce Need for Animal Testing

By: Left Brain

Left Brain — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 21:22:22 +0000

Plant derived ingredients can not be used without safety testing (most have already been animal tested).

There is nothing inherently safer about plant derived or non-synthetic. There are lots of “natural” ingredients that are toxic to people.

By: Joy

Joy — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 19:50:56 +0000

For 20 years I have been an activist against animal testing, especially in the cosmetics arena. Joshua is correct, the Library of Congress already has information on the safety, lethal-dose, and treatment of over-dose on most ingredients. For several years, in vitro tests have been used to evaluate eye- and skin- irritation without the use of animals. The horrific lethal-dose test (LD-50) where animals are force-fed ingredients known to be toxic, is outdated because most animal studies can’t be correlated to human use.

Why not simply use cosmetics that have primarily plant-derived and non-synthetic ingredients?? There is no need to test these on animals, and they are better for YOU.

By: Janis

Janis — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 17:27:47 +0000

Raugh, missing preposition: “declaim about synthetic things … ” Blasted grammar.

By: Janis

Janis — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 17:25:49 +0000

I dislike animal testing but can see how it was necessary; the only reason it can be banned now is because practically all of the ingredients that would be used have been extensively tested, so we can all pretend we’re more moral than we were in the past because we stand on their foundation, which seems hypocritical. I’d rather we just admit that it’s bad and we should try not to do it, but not pretend that that makes any one person or company more wonderful.

There’s always been a disconnect for me too, for people who supposedly champion cruelty-free cosmetics and “all-natural” stuff. The most cruelty-free and all-natural thing in the world is your unadorned, unornamented face as Mother Nature gave it to you. It seems silly to declaim “synthetic” things and make your face look fake at the same time … Cosmetics are all about the celebration of the artificial. Grey hair and smile lines ARE all-natural.

And if animals matter so much to people who champion animal welfare, they can take a stand by simply not using cosmetics — if it really matters to them. *shrug*

It’s a weird topic …

By: Left Brain

Left Brain — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 13:47:00 +0000

You’re right Joshua.

Of course, if no new raw materials are allowed, then there will be no new innovations in the cosmetic field.

And while animal testing doesn’t guarantee safety, it’s the best option at the moment.