Talking Point 1: Ethical Dilemma of Animal Testing for Businesses

MARY: Since we’re spending the night here at Lily’s, why don’t we have a bit
of fun? You know, have a little girls’ night!
MARLENE: How about starting the night with doing each other’s makeup?
I’ve always enjoyed making myself feel pretty, don’t you think?
LILY: Me too! My makeup box is right under my dresser next to the vanity,
the one with a pink bow.

MARY: Hey Lily? How come you don’t have any of those high-end cosmetics?
You know, MAC, Clinique, Nars, and Maybelline? I don’t know if these would
react well with my skin.
LILY: Now that you mention it, I avoid purchasing items from businesses
who conduct animal testing solely for the reason that it is immoral and it
violates the rights of the animals in question.
DORCAS: Lily’s right! Besides, can you imagine what the animals felt the
moment they were being used for experimentation? I don’t know about you
but I don’t think the agony felt by the animal is worth the human benefits we
get.
LILY: The worst part is, the animals have to sit there and suffer with no
protection at all.
MARLENE: I don’t expect nothing more from the fashion and cosmetics
industry. Have you seen Louis Vuitton’s new collection? Species Unite says
that the fashion industry violently kills more than 30,000 crocodiles in
Vietnam each year. Not only crocodiles but other animals too like rabbits,
minks, and goats are used as clothes.
MARY: Oh dear! That sounds horrible and disheartening.
LILY: You bet. I searched up the statistics at peta.org and it clearly states
here that there are more than 100 million animal species killed in the United
States for medical training, experimentation, and cosmetics testing. That’s
awful and totally barbaric.

MARY: But it benefits us in a way, doesn’t it? I mean they do test on animals
in the first place because they want to assure safety for us humans?
MARLENE: Don’t you think it’s a bit unfair, though? Animals do not benefit
from these testings in any way. It’s selfish for us to claim that it’s completely
rational when it clearly defies our values and morals.
DORCAS: I agree, just because we see benefit from them doesn’t mean we
can take advantage of them. There are many alternatives on animal testing
but I don’t think both the medical and cosmetics industry are ready for that
conversation.
MARY: But how about in biology lessons? Won’t the students need to
experience hands-on activities for them to better comprehend what they’re
working with?
LILY: Again, love. There are alternatives! Educators may provide gadgets
with apps that serve the same purposes. In this way, we can learn and the
animals can live in peace.
MRS. EVANS (Lily’s Mother): Hey girls? What’s the gossip for tonight? Do
you need anything? Cocktails, Hors d'oeuvres?
LILY: Hey, mom! No, we’re all set! Also, there’s no gossip, we were just
talking about animal testing in businesses and how it is unethical!
DORCAS: Good evening, Mrs. Evans! Do you happen to know how animals
are used for testing? I don’t really have a grasp on how they do it, all I know
is that it’s bad for them.
MRS. EVANS: I’m glad you asked, sweetheart. I happened to work as a
makeup artist gone sales associate for mall outlets! From what I remember,
they test the cosmetics on animals, usually rabbits—
MARY: I meant to ask too, why rabbits? I mean I always see rabbits as some
kind of symbol to stop animal testing, so why are rabbits preferred in animal
testing?
MRS. EVANS: That, my dear is because rabbits are pretty versatile in terms
of testing. There isn’t much science behind why they use rabbits above all but
I’m sure they consider using them in practical terms.
LILY: It’s because rabbits are quite gentle and easy to handle, aren’t they,
mum? They also breed swiftly which will never lead to the scarcity of test
subjects.
MRS. EVANS: Spot on, love. While rabbits are used, It breaks my heart only
imagining what a poor, innocent rabbit can go through. Locked up in cages,
left in there for God knows how long! I’m glad I left the industry. I help by
educating the people around me! This is why Lily here tries her best to avoid
products that takes advantage of animals. I’ll head to bed now, ladies! Good
night and get some beauty rest! We all need it.

Talking Point 2: How we can help

MARY: So that’s why you have these local brands in your arsenal, Lily! How
could I be so stupid and ignorant! I feel pity for the animals.
LILY: It’s no biggie, Mary! At least you’re open for educating yourself. I really
hope we can make the world a better place for the animals.
DORCAS: But how can we really help make the planet a safer, gentler place
for our furry friends?
MARLENE: First off, we can help by simply avoiding products manufactured
by companies that use animals for testing, just like what Lily does. If we have
time to stop and shop, a few minutes of researching won’t hurt, right? We
should do research in order for us to know which products we should avoid
and which ones we should patronize and support.
LILY: I’ve found that local businesses and franchises usually make cruelty-
free products which means they do not test on animals. By supporting these
local brands, we’re supporting both them and the cruelty-free movement.

MARY: How about petitions? I’ve seen a ton of petitions online for myriads of
programs, maybe we could sign petitions to overthrow certain procedures
done by high-end companies?
MARLENE: That’s brilliant, Mary! And yes, we can sign petitions! By signing
petitions, we can let both the government and companies know that this is a
cruel operation and that it must be stopped in the name of ethics.

Talking Point 3: Making the world a safer place for animals

MARY: Dorcas, I remember you saying that there are many alternatives for
products done by animal testing, care to share?
DORCAS: I would love to! I know so many companies that own pets and
literally loathe the idea of taking advantage of poor animals. This could spare
you the time spent in researching. Cruelty-free local cosmetic brands here in
the Philippines like Colourette Cosmetics, Human Nature, Ever Bilena, Happy
Skin, and VMV Hypoallergenics are what I know to be made for sensitive skin
so far!
LILY: Isn’t it obvious that I’m a complete fanatic of these brands? Not only
are they cruelty-free but they are also very pigmented and fit for people with
sensitive skin! It’s perfect for you, Mary!
MARY: I have one query though. Since they are cruelty-free, what’s the
assurance of them being truly safe? I mean if they aren’t tested on
something, how would we know their efficacy and safety?
MARLENE: Just because they’re cruelty-free doesn’t mean they proceed with
caution with the procedure of making them! Some people volunteer test it
themselves, some companies use computer techniques too!
LILY: They also use less chemicals in their products too which means it
wouldn’t be too harsh on the skin since it’s mostly made from organic
products originating from nature!
MARY: I get it, thank you so much for shedding light on this serious situation
that some people turn a blind eye on since it doesn’t trouble them. I’m glad
this girls’ night actually gave me some insight on how I could make the world
a better place. I’m grateful having you guys as my friends.
DORCAS: Not to worry, Mary! I’m so happy we had this whole conversation.
I hope we can be advocates of the cruelty-free movement! We should need a
slogan, shouldn’t we?
MARLENE: How about “Take a pause on beauty, be an advocate against
animal cruelty”
LILY: Perfect.
REFERENCES:

These Beauty Brands Are Still Tested on Animals. (2021, January 26). PETA.

https://www.peta.org/living/personal-care-fashion/beauty-brands-that-you-

thought-were-cruelty-free-but-arent/

Facts and Statistics About Animal Testing. (2022, February 9). PETA.

https://www.peta.org/issues/animals-used-for-experimentation/animals-used-

experimentation-factsheets/animal-experiments-overview/

Cosmetics testing FAQ. (n.d.). The Humane Society of the United States.

https://www.humanesociety.org/resources/cosmetics-testing-faq#:

%7E:text=Your%20Shopping%20Cart-,Is%20animal%20testing%20legally

%20required%20for%20cosmetics%20sold%20in%20the,that%20the

%20cosmetics%20are%20safe.

Wikipedia contributors. (2021, December 19). Testing cosmetics on animals.

Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Testing_cosmetics_on_animals

Stone, K. (2019, April 2). Rabbits: Blinded for Beauty. Humane Society International.

https://www.hsi.org/news-media/blinded_rabbits/