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pg. 2--Must Mascara And Soap Hurt This Much? Numerous other non-animal safety tests are available. The Agarose Diffusion Method, to study the toxicity of synthetic materials, mixes human cells with test matter inside a container. If the test stuff is toxic, dead cells cluster around it. EpiDerm uses neonatal skin cells cultivated into 3-dimensional tissue to simulate human skin. EpiOcular provides an alternate cornea made from manufactured tissue. Cloned human skin cells in the Epipack Test assess the response to a skin irritant. The PVC "rat" is test-ready with latex veins, organs, skin and muscle. These tests, along with the Irritection Assay, Neutral Red Bioassay, and Transepithelial Passage Assay, blend in vitro (test tube) technology with human tissues and computer technologies. Not only do they delete costs to breed, confine, feed and discard laboratory animals, they also supply data relevant to humans. When combined with human clinical studies, computerized "virtual organs" and mathematical models, post-market surveillance of drugs and the U.S. GRAS (Generally Regarded Safe) database of proven ingredients, alternate strategies offer a viable substitute for antiquated animal labs. But for manufacturers such as Alberto-Culver, Bristol-Myers Squibb and Procter & Gamble, old habits die hard. Though these big firms claim to no longer use animals for accepted ingredients and finished products, they rely on animal labs for new products. Other companies, like Dial and Colgate-Palmolive, proclaim voluntary moratoriums that may be product-specific or end after a given period. Johnson & Johnson uses animals for predictive tests, while its subsidiary Neutrogena employs only human volunteers. To shop compassionately, consumers navigate this maze of industry jargon. Gillette, Clinique, Loreal, Estee Lauder, Liz Claiborne, Lancome, Nexxus and Revlon are among over 600 alternative testers in the National Anti-Vivisection Society's (NAVS) "Personal Care for People Who Care" guide. Similar handbooks from the American Anti-Vivisection Society, PETA, or the Physician's Committee For Responsible Medicine are a prerequisite for anyone who wants to spend cruelty-free dollars on personal care and household goods. Tom's of Maine gained FDA consent for fluoride toothpaste without animal safety tests-proving that when there is a will to relieve animal suffering, there is always a way. Their carton reads: "Tom's of Maine products are tested for safety without the use of animals." I find great solace in these words. I know that my oral hygiene doesn't depend upon the terror and pain of animals. WHAT YOU CAN DO: 1.) Purchase cruelty-free products. Bring a compassionate consumer guide every time you shop. To order guides, contact: The National Anti-Vivisection Society (NAVS); 53 W. Jackson Blvd., Suite 1552; Chicago, IL 60604-3703; ph: 800-888-NAVS (6287); www.navs.org; email: navs@navs.org The American Anti-Vivisection Society (AAVS); 801 Old York Road, #204; Jenkintown, PA 19046-1685; ph: 215-887-0816 or 800-SAY-AAVS People For The Ethical Treatment Of Animals (PETA); 501 Front Street; Norfolk, VA 23510; ph: 757-622-PETA; www.petaonline.org 2.) Write to manufacturers that still test on animals. Private industries care about publicperception. Your respectful, but resolute message can have a persuasive effect.
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