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.
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.
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
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
First, thanks for your sharing. I really enjoy your video. It touches me deeply. And it’s also shocks me when the pictures came to my eyes. I have totally no idea that cosmetics are tested on the animal. In Hong Kong, just as you say, almost all of the Hong Kong people have no ideas of cruelty-free label and even non-animal testing products.
回覆刪除Here is some suggestions to your blog.
1. Highlight the title: Your structure is clear and the font face is better than your previous blog, but it is still difficult to aware of the title. You may change the size of the title words, change the color, or even highlight it. So it will be more reader-friendly.
2. You suggest many alternatives to animals testing, for example, eytex™, corneal cell lines and microphysiometer. But I don’t think it is necessary to list them all. It makes your article boring as we have no idea what is this. You can mention it briefly and you can only bring the main idea that there is alternative to animals testing, rather than use more than thousand words to interpret the alternatives.
Anyways, your blog is great. I especially like what you said “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”. Many people blame those without altruist are selfish behavior. But as what you said, it’s just part of human being. We will give help once we know the reasons behind the action.
Dear United Nations,
回覆刪除Thanks a lot for educating us with all the adverse effects of the cosmetics that is used by majority of the population all around the world. It was indeed very shocking to see the ugly truth behind the 'beauty'! You guys ensured that you did not drift away from the major point of informing the readers about the logo "cruel free". It was very concise and straightforward.
However, as hiuman mentioned, the list of examples given for alternative testing, though very educating, is a trifle boring. The list of jargons are complicated to the point of being confusing. It would have been better if you could have summarized it all and written every thing in a brief paragraph.
Moreover, just like my previous comments, i would request you to please work a bit more on your formatting and presentation skills. Your blogs, though interesting, tend to look a bit sloppy. You should take care that everything looks as good as it is!
Finally, to talk about your video. Just two words: GREAT JOB! It was a nice employment of role reversal that made the audience realise how heinous the cruelty towards the innocent creatures is. It is a flagitious crime committed by every individual who buys the products without the cruelty free mark!
Overall, a good read :)
Cheers,
GS =D
Thanks united nation for writing this informative blog. I have learnt a lot through reading your blog. I never know about the brutal side of the cosmetic products. It shocks me to some extent. It is not humanity to treat the animals in that way in theory but this is not the case in reality. As you say, we can buy organic cosmetic products; it is a good suggestion for the consumer to switch its preference. But this is not a good suggestion for those profit-making organizations. Being good conscience organizations mean you have to pay higher costs, you pay more to invest in the research and use alternate method of testing. It doesn’t sounds well when it comes to the realistic business situation. Nobody will discover the truth unless something bad came out, for example, the baby milk powder scenario. The Sanlu（三鹿）Group in China were found to be contaminated by melamine after hundreds of babies in China sick with kidney stones. If the scandal didn’t reveal, I assured that The Sanlu（三鹿）Group will keep adding melamine in their milk product. I am not acting negatively. I just want to clarify that there are always some people want to make profit and ignore the harmful impact of society.
回覆刪除Your video is very ferocity and shocking but meaningful. You guys use suitable photographs and trigger my empathy to the pitiful creatures. I get the brief ideas by watching your video. I thought I have to at least do something, not buying non-organic cosmetic products, to support this cruelty free label.
Again, thanks so much for writing this blog. I love reading your blog very much but it is a little boring after finished reading rhetorical strategies.
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回覆刪除Thank you for your sharing! Before you introduce about “Cruelty Free”, I have not seen it before and have no idea about it. Also, about animal testing, I do not concern it before because I do not notice that in this modern and advanced technology century. So, I think your choice for doing blog about “Cruelty Free” is very good, it is special, meaningful and attracting, what most important, can arouse our attention about “Cruelty Free” and anti-animals testing.
回覆刪除I like your and Go Cruelty Free’s idea about “Animals are valuable life same as human beings”! Being as a human, it cannot be denied that we have higher wisdom than our animals. However, it is not equal that we can hurt other animals with this stupid reason – testing the cosmetic and household products. It is very selfish and unethical that we concern our beauty or the profit of the products more than the life of animals. I don’t know why the cosmetic and household producers who using animal testing can be such cold-blooded!
So, I think your blog which focus on the customers and teenagers as you mentioned is not enough. The main focus must be the producers of cosmetic and household! Because they are the main cause of the problem! They can choose lots of other methods instead of animals testing as you mentioned. Of course, customers are also essential because they can choose to not buy their products.
About you video, it is good! It is really touching and attracting. The structure of the video is clear which start by get people think about use human instead of animals for testing. Then, show the photos about the pitying animals. Lastly, say beauty and animal protect can do at the same time by choosing “Cruelty Free” products.
All in all, your blog is meaningful! Thank you for your sharing!
Thanks for sharing this valuable Go Cruelty Free label!
回覆刪除After reading your blog, I immediately take out my cosmetics and skincare products from the drawer and look at the information on the package and I could not find this label or the wording of “No Animal Testing” on them. It’s really difficult for the consumers to identify whether the products used animal testing or not. As in Hong Kong, many people buy the products from other countries such as Japan and Korea; the consumers will not understand the meaning of the wordings on the products, so I think it’s really a good idea to use an international recognized label, like Go Cruelty Free. When people saw this label, they can ensure it do not use animal testing.
Looking at the pictures of ill-treated animals, I feel sad, how could people tolerate this happened? I think other than promoting this label to the consumers; we should also encourage the manufacturers not to use animal testing. Nowadays, the manufacturers should be social responsible. They could not only focus on making profit, they should also concern about the environment. We could persuade the manufacturers to use other method to test the product and stating the bad effect of using animal testing as it will affect the reputation of the company and most important of all, injured the innocent animal who could not tell how they feel.
Thanks again for your sharing and it’s a valuable information which we should pay attention on! Many people in Hong Kong loves animals and I think people will aware this problem with more promotion.
Thank you very much for your sharing on cruelty free. It’s an excellent topic and I believe all the visitors must gain a lot from your blog.
回覆刪除I totally agree that many of us have neglected the issue of animal testing. And I first realized some wording like “anti-animal testing” on a bottle when I was so bored that I read the label thoroughly. Indeed, as what you said in the blog, this issue is seldom addressed in Hong Kong. So, it’s a good idea to suggest some ways to raise Hong Kong people’s awareness.
Different from what 3430eyes said, I think your suggested target groups (consumers, teenagers and students) are appropraite. It is because consumers in Wellcome and ParkNShop are usually the ones who decide what to buy for the households, so targeting on consumers is effective enough instead of households. Also, I think we don’t need to stress much on cosmetic and household producers. In the past, consumers bought what the sellers made. However, owing to the variety of products, sellers usually make what the consumers demand nowadays. If consumers no longer want those animal-testing products, producers will consequently reduce the number of them. What I want to point out is the effects resulted from the promotion targeting on consumers must be much more significant than on producers.
However, a good plan needs a good coordinator. It’d better for your blog to suggest who will be responsible for the promotion in supermarkets. I believe your strategy will sound better with an appropriate organizer. For example, companies which sell non-animal testing products may be eager to do this since it helps to build a positive image for the business. What do you think?
All in all, you’ve selected a very meaningful topic and I do learn much from your blog. Thank you!
Hi United Nations,
回覆刪除Your short movie is so impressive as all the scenes make me shocked about the trial of cosmetics. I did not know that cosmetics are tested on animals. Such action is really cruel
and unacceptable.
The animals are innocent. Nowadays, many people have pets at home. The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Hong Kong) always convince people not to maltreat their pets and many pet owners follow. How come they can treat their pets as friends but treat other animals so cruelly? No matter human beings and animals are organism. We should be fair treating animals.
Maybe I am male and I do not understand female. I dont think cosmetics are necessity of our life. Just reducing the frequency of using cosmetics and less animals are needed for the testing.
Really enjoy reading your post and the video is very impressive. Thank you for your great sharing.
I really appreciate your group made a great effort on the content as well as video.
回覆刪除Actually, for me, animal testing was not a new issue as I had heard about it early in my secondary school life. At that moment, I felt that it was not a big deal as we also used dead white mice to do experiment in biology lesson. But sooner, I found out that companies used live animal such as rabbits or dogs to test the tentative products in order to ensure the harmlessness for human. From my point of view, it is totally unethical to do so. Human beings always think they are in superior position among the animals, but it doesn’t mean that we can do whatever we want to the other animals. The animals are not born to be suffering such pain for us. Do the cosmetic companies even have conscience when they are running business? Also, I can’t help thinking that is it still ‘true beauty’ when it is the cost of pain of numberless animal?
I agree with you that inner beauty is the most important. However, apparently, female in Hong Kong take beauty as everything that they are willing to spend most of their income or even risk their health. To this extend, will they care about the life of the animals?
It is great to see all of you were taking part in the video. When I looked at the suffering animals, I sympathized with them and also felt guilty of it. I feel like I’m also one of the accessories as I have bought some of those cosmetic products. After reading your blog, I will be more aware of choosing non-animal testing products and convince friends to boycott those animal-testing products.
Thank you for sharing!
Just when I started reading your post about animal testing, I could think of another issue about abortion. It is mainly the arguments of the definition of human life, whether an embryo is regarded as human life or not. This is still a controversial topic, sometimes it can be right; sometimes it can be wrong. However, there is no doubt that animals also have their own lives in which we should respect them in the same way as we respect human lives. Therefore, I strongly disagree with the practice of animal testing.
回覆刪除What we learnt from the textbooks saying that except human beings, other animals are lower animals. This may be one of the reasons why people believed that there is nothing wrong to perform animal testing rather than human testing. At this point, some people may also argue that we also have clinical testing and why not animal testing? In fact, those who really take clinical testing are volunteers. They are willing to do so. However, animals have no rights to refuse being tested!
It is understandable that many products like medicine or beauty care products should be ensure that they are not harmful to human bodies. Otherwise, it would be always unsafe to use these products. What I hope is that scientists or any other professionals can invent a new way to test these products. Of course I have no idea about this but I just think that it is possible one day as some products could really avoid any animal testing.
We always say that human beings are smart enough than other animals, so why not we use our wisdom to do good to them?
Thanks for sharing this meaningful topic!
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回覆刪除Thank you for sharing.
回覆刪除Actually, this is a very controversial issue.
We all know that we should respect everything in the eaarth. However, when here comes to a dilemma of whether we, human, can live or they, animal, can survice. Propably,we will choose to scarify the animals. Therefore, whenever there is uncertainty, especially medicine, human will use animals to test it. Even some may argue that everday people will eat meat, to be a cruelty free people, we need to become a vegetarian.To some extent, i agree with the above argument.
However, not all the cases should use animals to have the test. Just like what the unitednation stated, cosmetics and other unnecessary items should not be tested by animals as it is too cruelty, especially when i saw the picture of the rabbits, i am grieved. how can people do such an evil practise?
To be a part of the world, we must have a better consideration of other living things. the video is also very great and put a human in the position of the animals to show the helpless and innocent of the animal. it also make us to think that the animal lives is just like human lives.
Can you imagine that one day the world change. The animals take the control of the earth and do the same things to us? terrible!