Why Support the Humane Cosmetics Act? Your Animal Testing Weekly Report!

Check out the latest edition of the AV Magazine!
Since becoming law in 1966, the Animal Welfare Act (AWA) has changed a lot over the past 50 years. In this issue, experts tackle how to fix the only federal law protecting animals in labs.
Featured Articles:
  • How the AWA evolved.
  • 1985 amendmentsaddress pain and distress.
  • Animal Care Committees and research bias.
  • Mice, rats, and birdsare not ‘animals’?
Billboards Call Out Medical Center for Live Animal Use
 Billboards Call Out Hennepin County Medical Center for Live Anim
Physicians Committee billboards near in Minneapolis urge Hennepin County Medical Center to end its use of live rabbits and sheep to practice emergency medical procedures and switch to simulation. Billboards >
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Join Dr. Barnard for the International Conference on Nutrition in Medicine
Neal Barnard,MD International Conference on Nutrition in Medicin
Watch Dr. Barnard's video invitation to the International Conference on Nutrition in Medicine on July 28-29 in Washington, D.C. Watch >
Register Now International Conference on Nutrition in Medicine
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WATCH: Capitol Hill Briefing Calls on USDA to Restore Animal Welfare Database
Capitol Hill Briefing Calls on USDA to Restore Animal Welfare Da
The Physicians Committee convened a Capitol Hill briefing in June to bring attention to the federal government's withholding of animal welfare information.  Watch >
Take Action
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WATCH: AMA Says Eliminate Processed Meat from Hospitals
AMA Says Eliminate Processed Meat from Hospitals
The American Medical Association just passed two resolutions that will give patients in hospitals and economically disadvantaged people need greater access to healthy foods. Dr. Barnard's Blog >
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TOP TWEETS OF THE MONTH
The dangers of processed meat

Physicians Committee Scientist leads new center
In the U.S., thousands of animals, like mice, rabbits, and guinea pigs, are still used to test cosmetic and personal care products, despite the fact that humane testing methods are available and widely accepted. These animals experience tremendous pain and suffering, as chemicals and ingredients are put in their eyes and on their skin to measure levels of irritation. They are also forced to inhale and ingest chemicals to see if these substances are toxic, and often animals are killed at the end of these experiments.

However, the Humane Cosmetics Act (HCA) could end this horrible practice!

The HCA would prohibit the use of animals to test cosmetics, as well as the sale of animal tested products. Fines for those who break the law can be as much as $10,000 per violation.

Do you believe that animals should not be used to test cosmetics and personal care products? You are not alone! More than two thirds of American voters believe that cosmetics should not be tested on animals. Now it's time for Congress to act and end the use of animals in testing by supporting the Humane Cosmetics Act! 
In the News

EpiSkin Replaces Animal Testing

An example of an alternative to using animals in cosmetic testing is a dime-sized piece of lab-grown human skin called EpiSkin. It can be used to measure the irritancy and correstivity of chemicals, replacing rabbits and guinea pigs who have traditionally been used and suffered in such testing. As noted in this piece, "It makes the need to test ingredients on live animals in lab tests obsolete." Cosmetics giant L'Oréal acquired the technology to grow human skin 20 years ago and further developed the EpiSkin model to what it is today.

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Victory for Liberia Chimps!

AAVS is happy to report that the New York Blood Center, which abandoned over 60 chimps in Liberia after using them in painful hepatitis research, agreed to contribute $6 million to help cover the cost of the lifetime care of these animals. HSUS will also provide more funds to ensure that the future of these chimps is secure. When AAVS first learned about this situation, we were quick to offer help and sent out several e-alerts asking our supporters to take action on the chimps' behalf. To those who wrote and donated to this cause, thank you very much!

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Number of Animals Used in Research Increases

Last year, 820,812 animals covered by the Animal Welfare Act were used in research, an increase of nearly 7% from 2015. This is the first time in several years that the overall number has gone up. There were substantial increases in primates (15%) and sheep (14%). The number of animals used in painful procedures with no relief increased by 3%. The number of cats decreased 5% and less than 1% for dogs. This data doesn't include mice, rats, and fish, who comprise about 95% of all animals used in labs.

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