Dr. Avnish Jolly, Chandigarh, 20th June 2008:People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) has written to Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss requesting him to ‘ban cruel and archaic tests’ of cosmetics on animals. In the letter dated Feb 7, they said that they want to draw his attention “to the pain and distress suffered by countless animals used to test cosmetics”.
The letter named some of the cosmetic companies as well those who do not conduct any animal test for testing their product.
"Cosmetics’ tests on animals have been roundly criticized, not only for the barbarity of the tests but also because results gleaned from cosmetic tests on animals are qualitative rather than quantitative in nature," the letter stated.
Such companies commonly use animals in tests for eye and skin irritation, skin absorption and photo toxicity. While these tests cause acute, protracted suffering for the animals involved, none of these tests have ever been validated to ensure that the results obtained accurately reflect human response.
The Indian Council for Medical Research has agreed to the suggestions and promised to endorse them in future.