Oct.4, 2015  Thursday's assignment -- updated

Write a ‘response letter to the editor” on a word document including the following areas:

·      First, what is wrong with the article (the things that you don’t agree upon)?

·      Second, what are your thoughts/reasons for disagreeing or agreeing with that article? You need to mention at least three reasons for your position.

·      What are the action(s) you want the editor to do?

Animal Testing

After ten years of discussion and debate, the European parliament voted to ban the use of animal testing for cosmetic products. The act was passed with a huge majority. The ban took effect in March, 2009.

Prior to the ban, approximately 38,000 animals in the European Union (EU) were used to test the toxicity in new cosmetic products each year. The large majority of cosmetic products are tested on animals before reaching the market. Products include toothpaste, shampoo, make-up, hair dye, and nail polish and many more.

In 2013, the EU took the ban one step further by including their trading partners. Cosmetic companies worldwide who want to sell cosmetics in the EU now have to prove their cosmetics are safe without animal testing. The EU wanted to set an example for the rest of the world.

There are many different types of experiments conducted on animals to test the benefits and risks of cosmetic products. Some of these tests include:

- Skin penetration

The skin penetration tests are used to determine how deep cosmetic ingredients might penetrate the skin.

- Eye irritation
In this test, substances are dropped into the eyes of albino rabbits, to determine how irritating they may be.

- Skin irritation

A substance is smeared over the shaved back of a group of animals, usually rabbits or guinea pigs.

- Oral toxicity

Animals are force fed a substance once or repeatedly to determine the toxic effects. Though there has been great concern over the use of animals to test cosmetics, many feel it is the most effective way to protect the consumers who use them. The cosmetic industry insists that animal testing is the best way by far to test for cancer-causing and allergy-causing chemicals. The industry also feels that it is involved not only in the development of vanity products, but also health products such as toothpaste and sunscreen.

Dear Editor,

Thank you for publishing the article “Animal Testing” and let people know some background about the activity that the European parliament voted to ban the use of animal testing for cosmetic products and some related knowledge.   But I’m sorry I have to write this email to you to state my point of view as following:

First of all, the article mentioned all animal tests for cosmetic products were forbidden since the ban rule released. It seems very helpful and positive to preserve the animal's right. But there has no any description about substitute. Does that means the cosmetic consumers themselves would take the potential toxic risk?

Secondly, there listed some typical experiments conducted on animals in this article. If these tests should be banned, how about some animal tests which is much more cruel in medical area?

Finally, the fact that it took ten years of discussion and debate before this ban be voted just proved it is very

complex and some advantages and disadvantages can’t be easily judged in short term. So the article should give a comprehensive information and analysis to avoid not misleading rthe reader.

Thank you for your attention.

Sincerely,

Lucy LI

06.10.2015