Animals have been used again and again throughout the history of biomedical research to conduct experiments. Early Greek physician-scientists, such as Aristotle, (384 – 322 BC) and Erasistratus, (304 – 258 BC), have been recorded to have performed experiments on living animals. Likewise, Galen (129 – 199 / 217 AD), a Greek physician and was quite famous in the history of medicine, conducted animal experiments to advance the understanding of anatomy, physiology, pathology, and pharmacology. Ibn Zuhr (Avenzoar), an Arab physician in twelfth century Moorish Spain, conducted tests on animals to practice surgical procedures before applying them to human patients.
Recently, the practice of conducting experimental tests on animals for biomedical research has come under severe criticism by animal protection and animal rights groups. Laws are being passed in several countries to make the practice more ‘humane’
People thought they had been safely using toothpaste, dish soap, and other household products for generations, until REACH, the European Union’s massive chemical-testing program was reported to have tortured and killed about 200,000 animals in tests on the ingredients in these products, among many other chemicals. A recent report by an agency that oversees REACH, revealed that companies are ignoring the requirement to use every available alternative to experimenting on animals and are instead putting thousands of animals through inhumane levels of torture and suffering. Some of these practices are so torturous no one would even wish it upon their enemy!
During these painful tests, experimenters drip substances into animals’ eyes, smear them onto their shaved or scraped skin, or force them to ingest or inhale massive quantities of chemicals, all without any painkillers. Typically, the animals are killed when the tests are over.
In an article published in The Journal of the American Medical Association, researchers found that medical treatments developed in animals rarely translated to humans and warned that “patients and physicians should remain cautious about extrapolating the finding of prominent animal research to the care of human disease … poor replication of even high-quality animal studies should be expected by those who conduct clinical research.”
Why switch to cruelty free?
There are a bunch of brands in the market now that are cruelty free. One of them which along with being cruelty free has many other benefits as well.
- Animal by-products.No substances that come from animals are found in any SprinJene natural toothpaste or used in manufacturing. No experimental studies by SprinJene products or ingredients are conducted on animals.
- It is made from 100% natural ingredients using a patented formulation of black seed oil and zinc extracts. These are well researched and tested to prove anti microbial, anti-inflammatory, anti-cariogenic, anti-plaque and excellent for wound healing. These properties make it ideal for maintaining gum health and keeping the mouth bacteria free.
- It is non-toxic and chemical free:
- SLS (sodium lauryl sulfate) SLS is a chemical surfactant irritant to some people and used to reduce surface tension between ingredients and thicken certain food products.
- Artificial preservatives and dyes.Unnatural chemicals used to make products last longer and look a certain color have been linked to multiple health issues, especially in children.
- Saccharin. Saccharin is an artificial sweetener with a bitter aftertaste and no nutritional benefit.
- It has no side effects
- It respects and includes all religions as it is Kosher and Halal
- It is Vegan
- It is Gluten free and hence safe to use for peoples who have wheat or gluten intolerance
- Eco friendly. Produces less waste as opposed to commercial tooth paste hence it is better for the environment.
Cruelty free products are generally less toxic and gentler on the skin and oral mucosa. They use less chemicals and therefore produce less waste and are better for the environment. All of these reasons make cruelty free products a much better option as opposed to the ones that are commercially available. Along with that you can have a good night’s sleep knowing that no animals suffered from the dental products you used.
References:
- Animal Testing and Medicine Rachel Hajar, M. D.
- Daniel G. Hackam, M.D., and Donald A. Redelmeier, M.D., “Translation of Research Evidence From Animals to Human,” The Journal of the American Medical Association 296 (2006): 1731-2.
- Rich McManus, “Ex-Director Zerhouni Surveys Value of NIH Research,” NIH Record21 June 2013.
- Jarrod Bailey, “An Assessment of the Role of Chimpanzees in AIDS Vaccine Research,”Alternatives to Laboratory Animals 36 (2008): 381-428
- Steve Connor and Chris Green, “Is It Time to Give Up the Search for an AIDS Vaccine?”The Independent 24 Apr. 2008.
