TESTING ON ROVER
Article by Elise Haley, Artwork by Caleb Morris
Over the past ten years, fundraising for cancer treatments has become very common. The Relay for Life, run by the American Cancer Society (ACS), has become especially popular.
The concern here, however, is where the money raised goes. According to a recent news release, only 16% of ACS’ budget goes to cancer victims’ services. The ACS pulls in about $769 million a year. Last year, its CEO took home almost $540,000, and another large chunk went to animal testing.
As Neal Barnad, M.D, tells PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals), “Enormous variations exist among rats, rabbits, dogs, pigs, and human beings, and meaningful scientific conclusions cannot be drawn about one species by studying another. Non-animal methods provide a more accurate method of testing and can be interpreted more objectively.” Barnard explains that animal testing is hardly beneficial due to the variations between species.
The ACS did not reply when questioned about this, but they are known to test on primates, mice, cats, and other animals in their attempts to find a cure for caner. If it isn’t beneficial, why is such a large amount of money still being spent on it? Why are innocent animals tested on each year if it’s not helping research as it should?
The ACS had been able to find a cure for cancer in mice, but has not yet been able to make the connection between them and humans. The director of the National Cancer Institute told PETA, “The history of cancer research has been a history of curing cancer in a mouse. We have cured mice of cancer for decades, and it simply didn’t work in humans.”
Animal testing is avoidable. Many alternative cancer organizations do not test on animals, including the Cancer Project, the Skin Cancer Foundation, and the Cancer Fund of America.
Animal testing goes far beyond just medical research. The shampoo you’re using was probably tested on an animal, unless the back of the bottle says that it wasn’t. PETA’s Caring Consumer Project is dedicated towards working against animal testing for consumer products. Based on a list from the Caring Consumer website, companies that test on animals include Arm & Hammer, Clairol, Clorox, Colgate, Dial, Suave, and many more. Companies that do not test on animals include Bath and Body Works, Kiss My Face, Mary Kay Cosmetics, and Norelco. Unfortunately, the list of companies that do not test on animals have fewer big name companies.
So, whether it’s for medical research or your common hygiene and cosmetic products, animal testing is still very real in our world. It’s a big fight, and it won’t be won easily, but little things can make a difference. Check out caringconsumer.com before buying your shampoo, and think twice before you give your money over to an organization or company that supports animal testing.
