This post is from contributing writer Ed Beardsell.
Animal testing for cosmetic products and drugs is a widespread controversial issue that has divided countries for years, and is continuing to do so. On the one hand, testing on animals can prevent potentially life threatening products from going on the market, but on the other, it’s incredibly unethical to subject animals to the pain, stress, and dangers that often accompanies such testing.
What isn’t such a widespread controversial issue is the testing of cosmetic surgery on animals, not because it’s of any less importance, but simply because many people aren’t aware that that the plastic surgery industry also relies on this manner of testing before new products and procedures can be offered to the public. Botulinum toxin (commonly known as one of it’s trade names, Botox) is one such substance that is commonly tested on animals throughout the world, although some countries are now taking measures to crack down on unethical treatment.
Why Does Botox Need To Be Tested?
Absolutely any sort of cosmetic substance that is put out for human use needs to be tested in some form before it’s considered safe, but the reason botulinum toxin has such a reputation is that it’s the most deadliest of toxins that people willingly choose to inject into their skin in the name of beauty, fashion and youth. To put it simply, botulinum toxin is a poison that paralyzes the body and can be fatal. When used in very small concentrations, paralysis is localized to the area it is injected, which is why millions men and women use this treatment every month to smooth over lines and wrinkles.
As new products and new strains of botulinum toxin are manufactured, it’s vital to determine a ‘safe’ quantity before it’s approved for human use. Currently, the most popular way of testing is the Lethal Dose 50 Test (LD50). This shocking test involves injecting small animals, namely mice and rabbits, with different doses of the toxin. The testing continues until 50% of the animals have died, at which point the concentration is deemed unsafe for human use. Animals are used because they are vulnerable to botulinum poisoning in the same way humans are: paralysis eventually spreads throughout the muscles, restricting the body’s ability to breathe.
Isn’t Cosmetic Animal Testing Banned?
This is definitely a grey area, and the answer varies not only by country, but by regulation. In the United States, cosmetic animal testing is still legal and is still widely used. In the European Union, however, the testing of cosmetics on animals was banned in 2009, yet Botox continues to be tested in this way. Why? Because of a loophole in the law.
Botulinum toxin may seem like a rather modern concept that came about as the world became more obsessed with looks and the cosmetic surgery industry boomed. In actual fact, it has been a common medical substance since the 1800s, and is still used today to treat a number of conditions including cerebral palsy, excessive sweating, and migraines. For this reason, it is legally allowed to be tested on animals even in countries which have banned cosmetic testing, because it’s tested as a medical product rather than a cosmetic treatment. However, recently, there has been a crackdown on unethical testing and misleading categorization of cosmetic substances, and many botulinum toxin manufacturers around the world are now looking into alternative ways to test their products.
Are There Alternatives?
To combat the massive ethical issues botulinum toxin manufacturers face today, many firms are starting to expand the way in which they test their products. Back in 2009, a German based company created ground-breaking technology that enabled them to mass produce synthetic skin, the exact same type that has been used for many years for reconstructive purposes. The advantage of this method, for the botulinum toxin substance in particular, is that this artificial skin can incorporate blood vessels and even a synthetic circulatory system, so effects on muscle paralysis and breathing ability can be accurately determined.
A more modern, but also more experimental, alternative is testing the effects of cosmetic substances on cells in a petri dish. Proposed by leading Botox manufacturer, Allergan, in 2011, this method has been approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration and is beginning to be rolled out across the country. Allergan believes that, assuming uptake in other countries such as the United Kingdom where Botox is the number one non-invasive cosmetic surgery procedure, animal testing for cosmetic reasons can be reduced by 95%.
Why Animal Testing Needs to be Abolished
In terms of cosmetic rather than medical purposes, the obvious reason why alternatives to animal testing are needed is that the testing itself is both stressful and dangerous for innocent animals. However, this testing has also led to new, shocking trends that demonstrate a gross secondary effect that the cosmetic surgery industry is having. As some procedures and substances are being found to be relatively safe for animals, some animal owners are opting to put their pets under the knife.
Despite being a trend born in the United States, this is something that is sweeping the world, and UK-based pet insurance company, PetPlan, has announced that cosmetic surgery procedures for pets are rising significantly, with a 25% increase in nose jobs in recent years and the introduction of eyelid lifts, nip-tucks, and artificial testicles after neutering. In some instances, as with humans, cosmetic surgery can alleviate a number of health concerns, but more and more are choosing these treatments for their pets simply so they look better. Animal charities throughout the world are against elective surgeries for animals, and campaigns are being introduced to help curb this controversial trend.
Ed is a writer for the online cosmetic surgery resource Clinic Compare and writes on a daily basis about everything from Botox to Boob Jobs. When he’s not writing about the ins and outs of the plastic surgery trade he enjoys cooking and reading about ancient architecture.
Ed
whether botox is good or bad, I can’t imagine inserting needles in my face area,that’s painful, besides botox is a not natural material.
Just wondered if the general public knows that Botox is very helpful in the treatment of migraines and TMJ. After trying every sort of therapy, drug, you name it – this has helped me so much. It’s worth having injections in your head and jaws and by no means is it cosmetic.
Humans, mostly women take botox to achieve their ideal beauty along with other surgical operations to improve their physical looks. Due to demand, companies tried their best to improve their products which testing the products is the most crucial part. Sadly, most companies use animals such as lab rats and monkeys to see the results of the drugs at a timely manner. I agree that it needs to be abolished to protect the animal’s rights but this issue solely upon the community and government.
Botox is very safe especially when the procedure is done by a qualified physician. I keep reading stories of people that decide to have this done by people with no medical experience and in cases like this there is no guarantee the product is actually botox. If you are interested in finding out more about botox and what it can do for you, make sure you speak to someone who has had the proper training and who is skilled in giving safe and effective treatments.
It is still not acceptable to have animal testing. Poor animals.
I still don’t favor animal testing because it’s too harsh.
Animal testing in this day and age seems beyond belief… Botox is a choice not for the faint hearted, but personally I believe using good skin care products and cosmetics is the key to looking after yourself.
I find it disgusting that people are dumb enough to make their pets receive cosmetic surgery to “look better.” For restored functionality after an attack or something yes, you’re relieving pain and helping the animal. But to look better?? Poor little guys… I can’t imagine a surgery that could make my fur baby look better – she’s perfect <3
There are most definitely medical uses for Botox, not simply cosmetic uses. In fact, the cosmetic, wrinkle smoothing benefits of Botox were discovered in Canada when being used to treat strabismus (weakness in the eye muscles leading to a lazy eye or double vision). Other medical uses for botox include treating spasticity in cerebral palsy patients, treatment of migraine in Chronic Migraine sufferers, treatment of Hyperhydrosis (a condition of severe excessive sweating), treatment of TMJ and more.
Botox is an important medication for many patients, not just a cosmetic treatment. But it gets FAR more press for the latter!
Before going vegan and learning more about animal testing, I had IPL skin resurfacing.
I’ve been thinking about having it again but have just done a quick search and can see that the laser is routinely tested on rats. I feel horrible that I was a part of that.
Stupid humans inflicting pain and death on animals for their own vanity.
Animal Testing? Interesting. Thank you for this informative and great post you have here. Glad I drop by your page and I might as well go over your other blogs. Cheers!
Great article, great insight into the topic.
I think that it is Crazy to be animal testing botox! However, I do agree that Botox done correctly is very safe. Thanks for the insight
after reading this post completely, i still believe there should be more research done on this subject which will give other alternatives.
Oh Its a very nice article, interesting blog and information.
Interesting post, poor animals though…