Ruqayyah Snyder
Animal testing is a highly controversial topic in Australia, with many people taking direct action to address the issue. Despite growing public concern and the development of alternative methods, animal testing for scientific and commercial purposes continues to be widespread. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) and Humane Research Australia have been at the forefront of campaigns to end animal testing, with some success. PETA, for example, persuaded the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons to stop using live animals in its trauma training program and convinced several pharmaceutical companies to ban the forced swim test on animals. Individuals can also take action by choosing to only purchase cruelty-free products, not donating to charities that fund animal testing, and encouraging educational institutions to adopt non-animal alternatives in their teaching.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| People's direct action | Choosing to protect rabbits, dogs and other animals from cruel and unnecessary tests by only purchasing and using cruelty-free products |
| PETA's nearly four-year campaign that led to the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons stopping the use of live animals in its Early Management of Severe Trauma programme | |
| PETA persuading more than a dozen pharmaceutical companies to ban the use of the forced swim test on animals | |
| People choosing to donate to humane charities | |
| People choosing to invest in companies that do not test on animals | |
| People choosing to buy from companies that prioritise good ethical practices | |
| People choosing to boycott products and brands with questionable ethical practices | |
| People choosing to educate themselves and others about brands that are doing good for the planet and humanity | |
| People choosing to ask universities and schools about their stance on animal testing | |
| People choosing to ask companies about their commitment to the 3Rs | |
| People choosing to support organisations that fund research into alternatives for medical testing on animals | |
| People choosing to support organisations that advocate for transparency in animal research |
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What You'll Learn
People are boycotting products tested on animals
PETA Australia has compiled lists of companies that do and do not test on animals, including cosmetics, personal care products, household cleaning products, and other common household items. Australian Ethical also provides a list of charities that are not involved in animal research. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) has also been campaigning to end the forced swim test at universities and pharmaceutical companies. This test involves dropping mice and rats into inescapable containers of water, and it is used to test for depression medication despite being less predictive than a coin toss.
In addition to boycotting products tested on animals, people can also boycott companies that sell in countries where animal testing is mandatory. For example, many big cosmetic brands deny testing on animals but continue to sell in China, where animal testing is required. While these brands claim to be cruelty-free, they do not prioritise animal welfare over profits. If these brands boycotted selling in China and other mandatory testing countries, it could motivate governments to rethink their laws.
People can also choose to only invest their retirement savings with companies that have good ethical practices, such as Australian Ethical, which has zero tolerance for investing in companies that conduct animal research for personal care products and cosmetics. By supporting these companies, people can encourage more businesses to follow suit and prioritise good ethical practices.
Finally, people can also boycott donating to charities that fund animal testing. Many health charities fund animal testing without making that clear to the public, so it is important to inquire before donating to ensure the charity does not conduct or fund animal experiments.
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PETA campaigns against animal testing at universities and companies
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) is an American animal rights nonprofit organisation based in Norfolk, Virginia, and originally led by Ingrid Newkirk, its co-founder. The organisation is known for aggressive media stunts and celebrity endorsements. Its modus operandi includes buying shares in target companies to exert influence.
PETA has conducted several campaigns against animal testing at universities and companies. The organisation has two teams leading its efforts: the Laboratory Investigations Department and the Regulatory Toxicology Department. The Laboratory Investigations Department focuses on ending the use of animals in experiments not required by law, while the Regulatory Toxicology Department focuses on replacing the use of animals in tests required by law with human-relevant, animal-free toxicity testing approaches.
One notable campaign by PETA resulted in the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons announcing in 2017 that it would stop using live animals in its Early Management of Severe Trauma programme. Before the campaign, training in this programme involved cutting holes into the throats, chests, and legs of dogs and pigs. PETA has also persuaded more than a dozen pharmaceutical companies, including Roche, Bristol-Myers Squibb, and Johnson & Johnson, to ban the use of the forced swim test on animals, a cruel and discredited test for depression medication.
PETA has also targeted universities and colleges that conduct animal testing and dissection in classrooms. They have worked to end the use of animals in experiments at these institutions and helped students and teachers find alternative methods. The organisation has conducted groundbreaking investigations and advocacy campaigns to shut down laboratories and areas of animal experimentation. They have also filed lawsuits against public funding for cruel animal experiments and worked with members of Congress to enact laws to replace animals in laboratories.
In addition to universities and colleges, PETA has targeted large corporations in its campaigns, including fast-food companies such as KFC, Wendy's, and Burger King. They have also focused on consumer boycotts of companies that conduct animal testing, such as Avon, Benetton, and Bristol-Myers-Squibb. PETA supporters have infiltrated fashion shows and thrown red paint on catwalks to protest the use of fur.
PETA provides resources for individuals looking to take action against animal cruelty. They have compiled lists of companies that do and do not test on animals, including cosmetics, personal care products, household cleaning products, and other common household items. PETA encourages individuals to audit their own homes and make informed purchasing decisions to support companies that do not test on animals.
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Charities are funding research into alternatives to animal testing
Animal testing is a multi-billion dollar industry in Australia, encompassing the pharmaceutical and chemical industries, universities, and government bodies. It is estimated that more than ten million animals are used in research and teaching in the country, with many of these animals subjected to varying degrees of pain and stress during experimental procedures or as a result of their living conditions.
Despite the development of the 3Rs of animal research (replacement, reduction, and refinement) over 50 years ago, regulation in this area is not enforced, and companies are largely responsible for setting their own standards. However, charities and organisations are stepping in to fund research into alternatives to animal testing.
The Australian Ethical Foundation has been funding research into alternatives for medical testing on animals since 2018. The Foundation has provided direct funding to researchers at the University of Sydney to advance promising technologies like Organ-on-Chip (OoC), which are already proving to be viable biomedical testing methods in replacement of animals. The aim of one of the funded research projects is to develop a multiorgan-on-chip model, which emulates the lung-gut axis to study the safety and efficacy of new respiratory medications and therapies.
PETA entities worldwide have also contributed millions of dollars toward the development and implementation of non-animal test methods. For example, PETA U.K. awarded more than $150,000 to CeeTox, Inc. for the validation of a non-animal skin allergy test for cosmetics, medical device extracts, and other substances. The PETA International Science Consortium Ltd. has also awarded researchers nearly $250,000 to develop and test EpiAlveolar, a 3-dimensional lung-tissue model made of human cells, which can be used to study the effects of inhaling different kinds of substances.
Animal-Free Science Advocacy (formerly Humane Research Australia) is another organisation that relies on donations and gifts in Wills to oppose animal experimentation and promote humane and scientifically valid non-animal methods.
In addition, a parliamentary committee in New South Wales has recommended rapidly phasing out two experiments performed on mice for medical research, recognising the opportunity for the state to be at the forefront of developing alternatives to animal use in medical research.
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People are lobbying for transparency in animal testing data
There is a growing public expectation for transparency in industries that use animals, and Australia is being called upon to catch up with other countries in this regard. For instance, the UK government recently concluded a six-week consultation on discarding a section of its law on animal experimentation to promote openness and transparency. In contrast, Australia does not have such restrictive laws and lacks a cohesive approach to animal testing, including the collection of national statistics.
The lack of data and transparency in Australia makes it challenging to regulate the industry and protect animal welfare. It also hinders progress in developing alternative methods to animal testing, such as the use of non-animal models based on human cells, tissues, and data, which have been shown to offer quality, time, and cost benefits.
To address this issue, some organizations are advocating for a national consortium to promote new technologies and methods, standardized data collection on animal use, and shared infrastructure. They are also encouraging people to lobby for greater transparency by writing to companies and institutions that conduct animal testing and asking them to provide information on their practices and what they are doing to reduce and replace animal testing. People are also encouraged to support organizations that promote animal welfare and to make ethical purchasing decisions to reduce the demand for animal testing.
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Students are questioning the use of animals in teaching
Animals have long been used in teaching at all levels of secondary and tertiary education in Australia. However, students are increasingly questioning the ethics of using animals in teaching. This trend is part of a broader shift in public opinion away from animal testing.
There are several reasons why students are questioning the use of animals in teaching. Firstly, many students find it morally objectionable to use animals as mere tools for human research and curiosity. Secondly, there are often insufficient or inappropriate facilities and staffing for animals to be housed on educational sites. Thirdly, there are now many alternative teaching methods and resources available that do not involve the use of animals, such as computer simulations, plastic organ models, and animal tissues.
In addition to ethical concerns, some students also question the scientific validity of animal testing. The results of animal experiments, particularly on non-human primates, often do not translate to humans. This calls into question the scientific value of such experiments.
The use of animals in teaching is particularly prevalent in veterinary and medical schools. While some institutions are moving towards alternative teaching methods, others are still heavily reliant on animal testing. This has led to campaigns by organisations such as PETA, Humane Research Australia, and Animals Australia to end the use of animals in teaching.
Students who oppose the use of animals in teaching can take several actions. They can choose to study at institutions that do not use animals in their programs. They can also join campaigns by animal welfare organisations to pressure universities and pharmaceutical companies to stop using animals in teaching and research. Additionally, students can make ethical choices in their purchasing decisions, avoiding products that have been tested on animals.
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Frequently asked questions
People can use direct action to stop animal testing in Australia by only purchasing and using cruelty-free products. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) has compiled a list of companies that don't test on animals, as well as a list of companies that do.
People can support organisations that are against animal testing in Australia by donating to humane charities that are not involved in animal research, such as PETA, Medical Advancements Without Animals (MAWA), and Animal Free Science Advocacy (AFSA).
People can pressure educational institutions to stop animal testing in Australia by asking the science faculty's view on animal testing and whether they have adopted non-animal alternatives in their teaching.
People can pressure companies to stop animal testing in Australia by auditing the products they own and inquiring about the companies' plans to transition away from animal testing. People can also choose to invest their money in companies that do not test on animals.
