Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Path: utzoo!linus!philabs!cmcl2!seismo!lll-crg!nike!ll-xn!cit-vax!elroy!smeagol!usc-oberon!sdcrdcf!berco
From: berco@sdcrdcf.UUCP (Julie Bercovici)
Newsgroups: soc.women,misc.consumers,net.veg,net.pets
Subject: Animal testing for Cosmetic and Household Products
Message-ID: <3425@sdcrdcf.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 14-Nov-86 12:50:23 EST
Article-I.D.: sdcrdcf.3425
Posted: Fri Nov 14 12:50:23 1986
Date-Received: Sun, 16-Nov-86 05:53:45 EST
Reply-To: berco@sdcrdcf.UUCP (Julie Bercovici)
Distribution: world
Organization: System Development Corporation R&D, Santa Monica
Lines: 46
Xref: linus soc.women:891 misc.consumers:220 net.veg:900 net.pets:2719


Hi again.
I was overwhelmed by the responsed I recieved concerning my posting
about the use of animals in testing.  There have been so many requests
for the list of companies that I have decided to post it.  It should
be right behind this posting.  Several people have asked some very
legitimate questions about animal testing and I'll try to answer them
the best that I can.  I am no expert in law, biology, zoology or
anything else.  I just read the literature sent to me and talk
to people who may be in the know.  PETA has a newsletter which contains
the answers to the most frequently asked questions.  In summary these
are:

Q.Isn't Animal testing of consumer products a law or required by the FDA?
A.No.  No animal test are required by law or regulation.  Companies use
animal testing to cover themselves if sued rather than 	putting warning
labels on products.  It doesn't make much sense to me either.

Q.What other ways could they test their products?
A. 1. Enough is known about toxicity in humans to put the information into
      computers and let the computers tell us if a substance or mixture 
      would be toxic.
   2. Cell culture (test tube) systems can be used for toxicity and irritancy.
   3. Human eyes from eye banks, membranes of chicken eggs or other
      organ culture systems can be used.

These are the three mentioned in the PETA newsletter, more may exist.
All of these methods have been developed and tested yet the industry
is reluctant to use them.

Q.What can one person do:
A.Actually every consumer has some clout.  Buying only cruelty free products,
and spreading the word to other people who care will hit the bad guys where
it hurts the most.  Calling them to tell them what you are doing and why
is important.  Bringing the problem to the attention of the media is a
way to reach thousands of people who care but don't know.  
Join PETA or other animal rights organization.  
The Humane Product Testing Act (H.R. 1877) is now before congress.  Write
to your representive and tell them you support it.

This pretty much covers the questions I have been asked.  If you have
any more feel free to contact me.

Thanks 
 
Julie