An end to mascara testing on animals could be in sight thanks to tiny organisms nicknamed ‘slipper’ and ‘eyelash’.
Mascara is a mild irritant, and rabbits have, historically, been used to test how much discomfort new products can cause. However, a cheaper and more reliable test is now being developed by scientists at the University of Liverpool, involving miniscule protozoa. This will remove animal cruelty from the equation.
Protozoa
The scientists from the University’s Institute of Integrative Biology were able to examine potential toxicity caused by mascara, based on the growth of the protozoa when placed in experimental chambers containing the cosmetic.
Six different brands of mascara were tested, by painting it on small glass plates and placing these in the chambers. The protozoa and their food were then added. The protozoa– the slipper ciliate (Paramecium caudatum) and the eyelash ciliate (Blepharisma japonicum) – were chosen carefully because of their large size, their historic use as model organisms, and their genetic similarities to humans.
Their large size enabled the scientists to visually measure population growth using a microscope, and they were able to show that this varied according to the brand of mascara and the amount in the chamber. There was a substantial difference between brands, with some killing the protozoa and others not harming them at all.
Dr David Montagnes, who supervised the project suggests: “This test has great potential for reducing the use of rabbits as it is both cheap and reliable, and while the protozoa have a similar metabolism to animals they are not classed as such. Indeed, the traditional test used on rabbits – the Draize test – was developed more than 40 years ago and is both time consuming and expensive, as well as giving rise to ethical issues.”
Montagnes went on to add: “When you can develop a simpler and cheaper alternative, there is really no need to test cosmetics on animals.”
The Latest on: Animal testing
[google_news title=”” keyword=”Animal testing” num_posts=”10″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]
via Google News
The Latest on: Animal testing
- What’s Trending: Animal Testing and A.I.on May 3, 2024 at 4:55 am
Victor uncovers a particularly nasty form of animal testing in antidepressant research, leading Aaron to put his faith in A.I.
- Procter and Gamble descendant proposes bill to stop the type of animal testing P&G has doneon May 2, 2024 at 1:40 am
A descendant of the founders of Procter and Gamble, a multi-billion dollar consumer goods company, is proposing legislation in the Ohio House to stop cosmetics testing on animals. P&G, although saying ...
- Procter and Gamble heiress proposes bill to stop the type of animal testing P&G has doneon April 30, 2024 at 5:00 pm
The heiress of Procter and Gamble is proposing legislation in the Ohio House to stop cosmetics testing on animals.
- 40,000 signatures against animal testing in Switzerlandon April 29, 2024 at 4:42 am
Switzerland should do away with “restrictive” animal testing and should become a model for innovative, effective, and pain-free scientific research.
- This Biotech Startup Aims To Speed Up Drug Testing On Animalson April 26, 2024 at 3:29 am
Gordian Biotechnology’s platform allows for potentially hundreds of gene therapies to be tested in an animal at the same time — without harming it.
- See how a former animal testing laboratory is transformed into an animal sanctuaryon April 25, 2024 at 7:04 am
An animal rights activist is turning an animal testing laboratory into a sanctuary and rehab center for dogs and cats who have spent their lives caged in a lab.
- Animal testing can be cut thanks to local researcherson April 24, 2024 at 9:01 am
Animal testing is often necessary to ensure the safety of pharmaceuticals, pesticides and cosmetics before they can hit the market, but local researchers have developed 102 alternative testing methods ...
- OPINION: The ugly side of the cosmetics industryon April 24, 2024 at 5:40 am
Growing up, I was oblivious to the dark side of cosmetic testing that involved animal testing as a vital stage in releasing new products. It was only recently that I was exposed to the horrendous ...
- Opinion: It’s time to stop science and product testing on animalson April 24, 2024 at 3:44 am
Science has given us many marvels. Electricity immediately springs to mind, as does the telephone. The remarkable ease with which we’re able to trace our ancestry is utterly astounding, and ...
- World Day for Animals in Laboratories: Why animal testing should be bannedon April 24, 2024 at 12:10 am
Animal-testing activists have come a long way in advocating for countries to ban animal-testing, and in doing so, many local and international brands have hopped on the bandwagon, finding alternative ...
via Bing News