Social Deconstruction: Chinchillas: Controversial Topic

Cosmetic and Household Item Testing on Rabbits: Testing of cosmetics and other household products on rabbits is a very controversial topic. The test most commonly associated with rabbits is the Draize eye and skin irritancy test. In this test, chemicals that are being tested for human use are put on the rabbits’ skin or in their eyes, and the effects of the chemicals are recorded. (http://www.aavs.org/site/c.bkLTKfOSLhK6E/b.6456931/k.60C3/Rabbits_Used_in_Research.htm#.UnxrtJGFZg0) This is directly used to benefit humans because it makes these products safe for use on human skin and near our eyes, but at a great detriment to the rabbits including blindness, major skin irritation, excruciating pain and sometimes eventual death due to the severity of injuries. Many researchers and manufacturers continue to use rabbits for testing despite the availability of other options. For example PETA mentioned one option in an online article: “Instead of measuring how long it takes a chemical to burn away the cornea of a rabbit's eye, manufacturers can now drop that chemical onto cornea-like 3-D tissue structures produced from human cells.” (http://www.peta.org/issues/animals-used-for-experimentation/cosmetic-household-products-animal-testing.aspx) Not only is this cruelty free, but also it is a more accurate representation of a human eye than a rabbit’s eye is. I personally feel that cosmetic and household items testing on animals should be completely banned. Not only are the products being tested not absolutely essential to human life, but also technology has advanced to the point where artificial skin and other tissues can be created. I believe that if the company cannot afford or is unwilling to test their products in a safe and cruelty free manner than they should not be allowed on the market. In my opinion we have an obligation to protect these animals which cannot protect themselves from completely needless pain and suffering.