Animal testing was banned from the UK in 1998 followed by The Netherlands and Belgium but sadly this monstrous method of ‘safety checking’ cosmetic products continue in other European countries. The EU agreed to prohibit the sales of cosmetic items that tested on animals; this was meant to be put in place by 2009 but there was uproar as many countries within Europe are against the ban.

France is home to L’Oreal, one of the biggest cosmetic industries known worldwide. L’Oreal cosmetics are tested on animals so France is opposing the ban and has taken the case to the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg. The ban is also opposed by the European Federation of Cosmetics Ingredients which represents 70 companies in Europe.

There have been many protests and marches over the past decades, debating the harsh and questionable use of animals in the process of creating certain beauty products which are made wholly for the vanity and appearance of a person. Many disagree with the controversial way animals are being exploited for this purpose, but not when it comes to medical research. A range of different animals have been used for testing during studies of infections and research into new medicines. NHP (non- human primates) are also used in HIV and hepatitis testing. With other diseases such as TB (tuberculosis) rodents are used. A rabbit was also tested on during the development of the first oral contraceptive in the 1950s.

Animal testing could easily be argued as just cruelty to animals with the result of safe cosmetic commodities. So wouldn’t it be more ethical for animal testing to be limited to causes that benefit the health and wellbeing of the public, such as medical research? Cosmetics, beautifying body treatments, plastic surgery and personal appearance in today’s society seem to be more important than anything else.