Like the medical research field, animal research for the development of cosmetic products is causing great suffering to thousands of animals. The protections of the Animal Welfare Act do not apply to rats, mice, fish, and birds - which account for 95% of the animals used in cosmetics research. This allows labs to keep animals in harsh conditions while subjecting them to abusive experiments. Research animals endure chemicals being forced into their throats, eyes or skin before dying. Critics say animal experiments for cosmetics continue even though non-animal tests are widely available. Instead of measuring how long it takes a chemical to burn the cornea of a rabbit’s eye, manufacturers can now drop that chemical onto cornea-like 3D tissue structures produced from human cells. Likewise, human skin cultures can be grown for skin irritation testing, with less cost and time than animal testing.

Pending Legislation: H.R. 4101 - Humane and Existing Alternatives in Research and Testing Sciences (HEARTS) Act
Sponsor: Rep. Lucille Roybal-Allard (CA)
Status: House Committee on Energy and Commerce
Chair: Rep. Frank Pallone (NJ)