Animal Testing Resumed by Major Makeup Brands, PETA Says

COMMENTARY | Everything old is new again: birth-control debates are in the headlines and, sadly, animal testing, a cruel practice, is back. It is as if someone pushed 2012 into Peabody's Wayback Machine. Here we are revisiting the horror of testing beauty products on docile bunnies and other defenseless animals.

After decades of touting "no animal testing," Avon, Estee Lauder  and Mary Kay have all resumed paying for animal testing, says People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), in order to meet the requirements of the Chinese government. If these big-name companies want to market their products in China, they have to drip chemicals into rabbit's eyes, and worse.

According to the Daily Mail, an Avon spokesman said: "Some select products may be required by law in a few countries to undergo additional safety testing, which potentially includes animal testing, under the directive of a government or health agency."

These defenseless animals are used mainly because they won't fight back as they die. Lab animals are often skinned, blinded, suffer seizures and go mad as they await death trapped in cages. Why do they have to suffer? Simply put, they suffer so cosmetic companies can peddle beauty and vanity to consumers.

It is completely unnecessary to put animals through these ridiculous tests. Animal testing made headlines back in the late '80s and '90s. People signed petitions, made our voices heard and had the testing halted. Estee Lauder and Avon seemingly forgot about the public outcry and when the Chinese government told them they require animal testing for any beauty product sold in China, they complied. Mary Kay reportedly has attempted to work with the government, but the bigger question is why are these companies taking orders from a communist country?

The organization you expect to see in a case like this, PETA, is going to the source. A news release from PETA shows where the organization is focusing efforts: "PETA is financially supporting the efforts of the Institute for In Vitro Sciences (IIVS), which is putting together a coalition of corporate experts, providing training for scientists in China in the use of non-animal test methods, and working with officials there to promote the acceptance of non-animal methods that are used in the U.S., the European Union, and much of the world."

In the meantime, consumers can take a stand. Resuming cruel animal testing for our vanity and their profit is a very backwards step in my opinion. As for this makeup loving girl, I will stick to the small humane companies. Many companies produce effective products without injustice. Aside from supporting companies whose beliefs line up with your own, it is important to make your voice known reports Forbes. If you are against animal testing, let the companies know. Money talks and if enough dollars walk away, they may rethink their policies.