Why Do We Need Animal Testing Necessary?

Just in the year 2014, over one million animals were subjects of cosmetic testing; that may not seem like a big number, but that number does not include the one-hundred million mice and rats used for the testing (PETA). PETA claims that surveys prove that adults in the United States who support animal testing support only the tests for medical advance, not the tests involving cosmetics. Numerous companies that produce makeup, skincare, and hair care products continue to use animals as subjects of their tests; some of these companies include M.A.C., Mary Kay, Neutrogena, John Frieda, and Dove. Large portions of the list of companies that partake in animal testing are large, well-known companies. So why are these powerless creatures still subjects …show more content…
People support animal testing by saying that humans are biologically similar to animals. This is true; humans share over 98% of DNA with chimpanzees and mice (“Why Are Animals Necessary in Biomedical Research?”). This argument is invalid for cosmetic testing because the amount of DNA shared does not correlate with the effects of cosmetic products on humans and animals. People support claims that the animal testing is important to research by saying the American Veterinary Medical Association; this is only partially true. The AVMA “supports the judicious use of animals in meaningful research, testing, and education programs”; meaning that they support testing that is done for good reason. Cosmetic testing does not fall into that category because cosmetic testing is done for an individual’s own personal gain, not medical gain. Lastly, supporters of cosmetic testing on animals use the Bible as a reference. The main verse used to support the case is Genesis 1:26 which states, “Let us make human beings in our image . . . They will reign over the fish . . . the birds . . . the livestock, all wild animals . . . and the small animals . . .” (NLT). Supporters fail to point out other verses