Thanks for you guys comment on blog 3

Firstly, I am appreciated all visitors provided useful opinions on our blog.

After I read the comments, so many visitors start to concern animal rights and consider the value of animals in the world. I am so glad that you guys have an new insight on animal testing and this is what we want to do indeed. It takes a considerably long period of time to inculcate more knowledge of animal testing into our minds. Even though we are human being, we no need to concern other lives around the world. However, some visitors said it is an unethical issue. We need to keep and save animals although those animals that use on testing are minority of animals. Your opinions encourage us to have further thinking that as human being, we have responsibility of saving the lives in the world.

Secondly, I want to say that our blog is really educated. Thanks Gaargi give this comment. From your point of view, you said our blog is boring ... may be it is really boring for you. We will create a more funny blog next time.

Finally, we are also appreciated visitors have so many positive comments on our video. It is really encourage us to do better.

Hope to see all guys keeping commenting on our blog.

Cruelty Free

Background:

According to Mitch Baranowski, founding partner of BBMG, ‘‘trustmarks help ensure companies follow best practices by setting clear and transparent standards. They serve as important proof points for overall brand messages and stories. And they can provide an objective, third-party stamp of approval that demonstrates how companies are following through on their social and environmental claims.”
(reference reading: http://greenercomputing.com/print/27787print/27787)

Actually, the ecology label acts as signals that transitted the promotion messages to the consumers. For example, the label of ‘recyclable’ promote the message of eco-awareness. Also, it acts as the clear stardand for the company to follow, like the label of ‘Cruelty free’, the products of the companies that having this label cannot use animals testing.

Nowadays, many people are unaware of the ideas of animals testing. They are unaware that hundreds of thousands of animals across the world still endure painful experiments to test cosmetics, toiletries, household products and their ingredients. This label – Go Cruelty Free aims to drive animal testing out of the cosmetics and household products industries altogether.



Social cause:

In fact, many companies such as Loreal and Max Factor use animal laboratory testing to test their porducts. The purpose of the testing is to test the safety of the ingredients of the products to human beings. But the testing cause pain or even death to the animals. Animal testing includes mices, rabbits, monkeys, dogs, etc. The procedures of animal testing are painful and cruel but they did it without any anesthesia. For instance, they would drop chemical corrosive substances to the eye of rabbits. This may cause bleeding and even blindness to the rabbits. Animals are innocent but they have no chance to resist.

From the findings, it showed that the Lethal Dosages tests are fatal to the animals. In these test, animals are forced to consume poisonous substances through inhalers, injection, or stomach tubes until 50% of them die. Other reactions to the tests include vomiting, skin eruptions, convulsions, paralysis, and bleeding from the eyes, nose, or mouth. The amount of substance will kill most of the animals. It is really unethical and inhumane to the animals.



Actually, there are many other testing methods that are more reliable and less expensive. For example, we can use computer and mathematical methods on human genes or Neutral Red Uptake Test. Also, the manufacturers can use the ingredients that have been use for a long time, and likely to be safe. The European Union has already gone cruelty-free since March 11, 2009 by banning animal testing for cosmetics and the sale of cosmetics that used animal testing. It is because many companies realized that the European abhor the idea of animals testing. So the company would present their product consistent to the intention of consumers.

How it works?

“Cruelty free” is promoting the message of anti-animal testing. This logo appears on the comestic and household products that the ingredients are not animal testing. The use of this label can ensure the consumers to easily identify the products as cruelty free. The Co-operative Group is working in partnership with the British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection (BUAV) to drive animal testing out of the household products industry. There are schemes which called the Humane Cosmetics Standard (HCS) and the Humane Household Products Standard (HHPS) to prove that the companies are no longer conducts animals testing for their cosmetics and toiletries products. It sets a clear standard for the companies to follow.

Impacts:

The “Go Cruelty Free” label can promote the message of anti-animals testing. Animals are valuable life same as human beings. They should have the right to live. The promotion of anti-animals testing can develop the right value that treating animals with respect deserve our attention. ‘Animals should be treated humanely because they are living breathing just as we are,’ by Carl Riseley from Australian Idol. It can draw the attention from people that all over the world to concern this issue. Besides, it can persuade the consumers to buy cruelty free products such as naturally produced organic skincare products. We can help the animals and save their lives simply by doing this. So we take action without hesitation.

Video message

Here is the link of our video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I3dfa17hGSY

Choosing non-animal testing or organic products
There are many products in market without animal testing, such as those from The Body Shop, Decleor, H2O plus and so on. These products normally use organic and natural materials as ingredients. However, it is only a part of the rest of products around the world that so many companies and brand names still use animals to test their products. Our Video shows that how animals are ill-treated by human being. In order to help animals not to be tested, first step we have to do which is to stop choosing products with animal testing. No matter how effective it is or how successful of changing the decision of unethical companies, we basically take a little step forward that is better than none. Actually, Hong Kong people have awareness of using and buying organic products, but the reason behind using this kind of organic products is the consideration on whether it is healthy or not. I confidently say that almost all of the Hong Kong people have no idea of cruelty-free label and even non-animal testing products. It is time to waken Hong Kong people that animals suffer and get hurt seriously.
Choosing organic products as substitution of animal testing products have so many benefits. More importantly, we save million of thousands of animals’ life. As we mentioned in the video, both human being and animals’ life are valuable. We need to cherish any movable organism in the earth.

Why are organic alternatives more expensive?

1. To believe organic product is conducive to good health

Organic food is better for you and your family. It contains more vitamins, minerals, enzymes and taste than intensively farmed produce. It is also free from enzymes and taste than intensively farmed produce. It is also free from insecticides, pesticides, flavorings, colorings, fertilizers and so on. Because of the need of consumers, retailers charge a higher price on organic product.

2. Non-mass production

Another reason why organic food is expensive to buy than intensively farmed food is that chemical ingredients, such as pesticides and fertilizers are designed to make food cheaper to produce. The chemical designers’ remit was to make mass production of food cheaper.

3. Maintain livelihood of farmers

Because of less chemical ingredients, farmers have to pay much more money on eliminate pests and time on growing a field of crop without fertilizers. As intensively farmed produce with fertilizers use lesser time than organic produce, the longer growing season of organic produce cause lesser harvest. Therefore, farmers have to raise price to maintain cost of daily lives. Otherwise, lowering prices could threaten the livelihood of the farmers.

4. True costs on organic foods

It has an ethical responsibility to sell organic foods for their true costs. The real cost of organic production which is generally smaller scale and more labor intensive, sometimes with smaller crop yields. Farmers also have to convert their land to organic production over a period of time, and as organic farming relies on crop rotation, almost 25 percent of land probably is left to lie fallow at any one time to increase natural soil fertility.

Concerning animal rights and increase awareness of cruelty-free
Video shows that animals are controlled by human beings. They have no choice when they are caught and selected. In Hong Kong, society for the prevention of cruelty to animals (SPCA) has been established. In fact, this organization concerns animal and help save animals, such as animals rescue, veterinary clinics, animals training, desexing animals and so on. Even though SPCA mentions about cruelty at animals in official website, but the animals that SPCA concerns are ill-treated by their owners, it is not related to animal testing. The animals are caught to be tested by strangers are not concerned by SPCA. Therefore, it is obviously not enough and unrelated to animal testing. In Japan, there is an organization specially concerns on anti-animal testing, like JAVA. Unfortunately, we can’t find any organization or activities that are related to anti-animal testing. As a Hong Kong people, I suggest that SPCA create similar department to encourage people not to use products with animal testing. Our video hope to provide an insight on increasing awareness of cruelty-free in the mind of Hong Kong people.

The attitude of a animal lover towards animals is in start contrast with that of a non-animal lover in Hong Kong. Some treat their animal as beloved, like a new-born baby or affiliate. They bring their pets outside everyday, even some crazier animal lovers put their beloved pets in pram. It is absolutely true!!! It is common that Hong Kong people own pets instead of having babies nowadays and put pets in pram like a baby. Oh my god !!! I must realize they are crazy and abnormal but as the view of an animal lovers, they realize that it is an expression of love. Some only treat animals are less valuable than human being, like me. There is no other animals other human being which can supersedes the position of human being because we possess wiseness, culture and thinking.

Emphasizing on inner beauty
Basically, it is impossible to require Hong Kong girls to give up using cosmetic products as almost all of the girls rely on cosmetic when they work, go to school and shopping. Our video suggests female no need to give up any cosmetic products, on the contrary, they should be vigilant when choosing cosmetics. Actually, both females and all human beings need to take responsibility for choosing non-animal testing products. It is because household products use animals to test their products as well, such as shampoo. Therefore, our video mainly focuses not only on raising the concern of female but also people coming from all walks of life. I want to say that inner beauty is the most important.

Rhetorical strategies
In order to rise awareness of cruelty-free in Hong Kong, we have to do promotion to let people have further ideas of what cruelty free is. When we start to do this project, we and other students actually have no idea about the use of animal testing before cosmetic and even household products are on sale. Therefore, minority of residents in Hong Kong know the label of cruelty-free. We have some ideas of promoting cruelty-free that focus on consumers, teenagers and students.

Focus on consumers
To hold an activity of making DIY soap in supermarkets regularly, such as wellcome and ParkNshop that attracts attention of consumers. When they want to buy cosmetic and household products, they would consider whether choosing organic products or not. Making DIY soap by using organic materials is an example of using non-animal testing product. Teaching consumers how to make their own soap can prevent them from buying animal testing products. Moreover, it is able to raise awareness of consumers that to stick a small notification near to goods shelves providing information as reference to consumers for selecting cosmetic products.

Focus on teenagers
Also, to hold a drama in Mong Kok which is a crowd shopping places in Hong Kong every day. Peoples play a role of animals that are treated brutally. Pictures and actions are more easily to raise awareness rather than using millions of articles as they transmit message directly. Also, it is because there are so many different Hong Kong people, especially teenagers go to Mong Kok in a day. Message of awareness of cruelty-free can be transmitted faster. Besides, we can cooperate with non-profit organization, such as YMCA of Hong Kong and BGCA of Hong Kong. Both the above non-profit organizations are famous in Hong Kong that specially provides service for teenagers. To cooperate with popular local non-profit organization, we can provide further information of animal rights for children and teach them how to protect and cherish animals through mini-game and visitation. For example, showing both normal and lovely animal pictures and animals who suffer from animal testing photos to them and organize a field trip to visit society for the prevention of cruelty to animals (SPCA). All we need to do is to provide a concept to children and teenagers to let them know household and cosmetic products around them are tested by ill-treating animals in the world.

Focus on students
In university, we can cooperate with student union of eight universities, such as HKU, CUHK and so on to transmit message of cruelty-free toward students. We can organize an exhibition to show pictures or videos of animal testing and provide a list of companies or brand name using animals to test their products in universities. Through showing pictures, majority of students understand that what cosmetic and household is still using animals testing. In secondary schools, we can provide a seminar of introducing cruelty-free or the concept of animal testing to students. I think it surely can be accepted by the principal as it is a good topic of Liberal Studies. As the education system of secondary school is changed soon, Liberal Studies is a obligatory subject in the future. Moreover, as Hong Kong children will enjoy free-education for twelve years instead of previous nine years of free education, it is a good chance for transmitting awareness of cruelty-free to students. We should grab this golden opportunity to promote cruelty-free to students. Regardless of universities or secondary students, both are potential consumers in the future. Therefore, we have to provide information to students when they are still young.

Altruism is…
1. Loving others as oneself.
2. Behaviour that promotes the survival chances of others at a cost to ones own.
3. Self- sacrifice of the benefit of others.
(Refer to the article that from Dr. Kuo Frank Yu: What is Altruism?)

Motivation is…
The activation or energization of goal-oriented behavior. Motivation may be internal or external. (Wikipedia)

Are you willing to be the Altruist? It is not an easy question to answer as you may think how much you have to scarify if you say yes. We know that you will give help if you are motivated. We know because we are human as well. It is not selfish; it is part of human being. After watching our video and reading our blog, we believe you want to give some help to the animals, but the problem is how much you have to give and are you able to give. To be honest, you may loss a few but the animal will have much a better life. Trust us, everyone is able to protect the animals with a little of scarified.

Alternative to animals testing
Besides using animals for testing, there are many alternatives so that we can still enjoy the safe products but without harming the animals. It is a win-win situation, we can protect the animals but scarcity less.

1. Alternative irritancy tests

Many different in vitro (test tube) systems have been suggested as alternatives to animal irritancy tests. The following are only a few examples.

Eytex™
1. This test for eye irritancy uses a vegetable valign="top" protein extracted from jack beans.

2. In the Eytex test, the degree of cloudiness ("damage") can be measured by a machine, a spectrophotometer, which is much more reliable.

Reconstructed human epidermis
1. This is a multi-layered human skin grown in the laboratory, which can be used to test skin irritancy.

2. There are various ways of measuring damage when an irritating product is applied to this test skin. For example, cells can be examined under the microscope.

3. Whatever method is used, the result can be measured accurately, unlike in animal studies where observers estimate the degree of swelling or redness.

Corneal cell lines
1. The SIRC is a continuous cell line of rabbit corneal cells. These are cells that are now grown in the laboratory, and no further rabbits are killed.

2. One problem with using cells from human corneas has been that these cells don't live for very long. Now researchers have found a way of not only increasing the number of these cells, but also extending their life span so that they can be studied in more detail.

3. Researchers used human corneas from an eye bank to grow the cells. This cell culture can be used not only to study eye irritation, but also wound healing, parasite infection, and radiation damage in the eye.

Neutral Red Uptake Test
1. Normal cells in culture readily absorb and hold this neutral red dye.

2. When the cell membrane, or the lysosomes inside the cell are damaged by an irritating chemical, dye will be lost through the leaky membranes.

3. Less dye will remain in the cell. A spectrophotometer is used to accurately measure how much has been lost.

Agarose Diffusion Test
1. In the Agarose Diffusion Test a small amount of agarose (a seaweed extract) is added to form a gel layer.

2. The substance diffuses through the agarose into the cell culture below.The irritancy of the substance is assessed by measuring the area, in millimetres, of dead cells under the filter paper, that is, cells that have lost their neutral red dye.

Microphysiometer
1. An irritating product will produce changes in the functioning of cells.

2. The microphysiometer is an instrument that detects very small changes in cell metabolism by measuring changes in the pH value of the cell culture nutrient fluid (changes in lactate, CO2 production).

Computer modelling
1. Expert computer systems can be used to predict the irritancy of new substances on the basis of what is already known about the irritancy of substances with a similar chemical structure.

Human studies
1. Some cosmetics companies already use human volunteers to test new formulations.

2. This is the most reliable test of all.

2. Alternative toxicity

For details about alternative toxicity, you may visit this website:
http://www.choosecrueltyfree.org.au/alternatives.html

Human cell cultures have several advantages in predicting toxicity:

1. They are human and so species differences are avoided;

2. They can be taken from the tissue that a particular test chemical is most likely to affect, for example the skin, or the liver;

3. They allow researchers to study how a substance causes damage to the cells, that is, why it is toxic;

4. They avoid causing pain and death to animals.

Reference: http://www.choosecrueltyfree.org.au/alternatives.html

Besides the alternatives of animals testing, there are some other kinds of alternatives.

1. Use organic product. Organic product doesn’t have any chemical ingredients, it won’t have any harmful effect to human.

2. Buy from the brands that against animals testing. The price of these brands are similar to the others. For example, Bobbie Brown Vs Clinique.
Here is a PDF file that show us a full list of the “Good and Bad” companies:

http://www.caringconsumer.com/pdfs/companiesDontTest.pdf

And one more reference:

http://www.caringconsumer.com/pdfs/companiesDontTest.pdf

“All individuals in society receive a lower payoff if all defected rather than cooperate.”--- According to the article “Motivational complexity of green consumerism”

If you keep on taking destructive actions, you will receive a lower pay off. Actually, we are not really benefited from the animal-testing.

1. Testing on animals only benefits big business
For details, you may click: http://www.choosecrueltyfree.org.au/articles.html

2. Animal testing is not really safe.
There are many drugs that are tested by animals, but they still have many side effects to people. Here are some examples: Amrinone, Birth control pills, Chloramphenicol, and Clioquinol, etc.
For details, you may click: http://www.choosecrueltyfree.org.au/articles.html

In fact, we know that it is difficult to change your habit of using the products that you have used for a long time. As human, we know that it is difficult to ask you to help others at a cost of your own. It is difficult to be an altruist. We understand and we will never blame on it. We only want you to know that you will loss nothing if you are willing to take the first step. Later, the “bad” companies may become a “good” one if you don’t buy from them. Then you can choose them again, right? We want to motivate you by our strategies and we hope that through our strategies, video and our blog, you will know that we are responsible for taking care of the animals. More importantly, you can do that only do a little. You won’t even be affected. Also, you may benefit from this.

1. More safety product. As we said, there are some unsafe products even they pass the animal testing. The alternative methods above are much more reliable actually.
2. Cruelty-Free Products are More Environmentally Friendly. Animal-tested products create unnecessary and harmful environmental waste and pollution.
3. Price is similar to the products that using animal testing

For more details: http://www.livingcrueltyfree.com/benefits-nonanimaltesting
For the price comparison: http://www.healthpricer.com/buy_health_products/buy_cruelty%20free_online/cruelty%20free.html

Let’s to be cruelty free!!!

There are more recommended links:
http://www.choosecrueltyfree.org.au/eternity.html
http://www.animalfreezone.co.uk/understanding-cruelty-free-labelling.html
http://search.caringconsumer.com/
http://www.gocrueltyfree.org/index.php
http://greenercomputing.com/print/27787%20(reference%20reading)
http://misskyou.blogspot.com/2009/09/join-me-in-cruelty-free-shopping.html
http://www.choosecrueltyfree.org.au/index.html

There are 2 related blogs:
http://misskyou.blogspot.com/2009/09/join-me-in-cruelty-free-shopping.html
http://www.blogher.com/animal-testing-whats-your-cabinets