16 billion dollars and 110 million animals. That’s the cost of animal testing. There are so many better ways to spend money and save the lives of innocent animals. According to The National Institutes of Health, the same drugs “approved” for human use end up being relabeled and recalled for because of the side effects that were seen on humans but not seen on the animals that were being tested on.
Animals in labs get mistreated, the most common type of dog in testing labs are beagles. The dogs are small and delicate, they are also the cheapest to test on. They test drugs like weed killer and rat poisoning studying how it affects their health. They usually do not keep testing on one animal and after one experiment they typically kill them to examine their tissues and organs.
A common misconception that people tend to lean towards is that if we don’t test on animals then we would have to test on humans, but we already do. The National Institutes of Health claim that more than 96% of animal tests fail, 96% of the drugs that say that are “safe” fail being used by humans. Cruelty free products are also more affordable and healthier for you. For example cruelty free brands use less chemicals, and are way better for your skin.
An effective and cheaper alternative to animal testing is the Vitro method, where scientists study human cells in a laboratory. They can also test on isolated tissues, organs, or human cells. According to Humane Society International, this method costs $20,000 per test, compared to $30,000 for animal tests.
If someone is proven guilty of animal abuse or neglect, they face a Class One Misdemeanor, which can lead to up to one year in jail, a $2,500 fine, or both. Yet, when cruelty occurs in a lab, there are no consequences.
