By Ollie Bell
CW – This article contains instances of animal cruelty
Each year, the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) releases their annual report on Statistics for Animal Experiments in Ireland. The latest report, for 2023, showed an alarming rise in animal experiments, increasing by 16% compared to 2022. Most notable is the increase in the number of animals forced to endure ‘severe’ suffering, jumping from 13,212 to 19,816, an almost 50% increase according to the Irish Anti-Vivisection Society (IAVS).
The cause for this increase is mainly due to the expansion of ‘Botox’-type products. Although there is a European ban on Animal Testing for cosmetics, Botox manufacturers exploit loopholes because Botox was originally intended for medical problems. Botulinum toxin, which Botox is made of, is one of the world’s most powerful biological poisons. In 2023, the number of animals used in batch potency tests (including Botox), increased from 58,113 to 68,539. This has led to an estimate of over 51,000 animals killed in ‘Botox’ testing in 2023 alone.
Cruel and Unnecessary
For each test, mice are divided into 3 or 4 groups, each receiving different strengths of the toxin. In the highest-strength group, mice start showing signs of poisoning within hours. Their lower bodies are paralysed, causing them to stagger or be completely unable to walk. After a day, this paralysis starts affecting their lungs and respiratory system – causing them to gasp for air, turn blue and later die of asphyxiation. This paralysis can make it difficult for mice to reach for food and water, which often kills them before the toxin does. Animal suffering is low on the list of priorities when it comes to the cosmetic industry.
Brands of cosmetic Botulinum toxin (Botox) in Ireland include Relfydess, Vistabel, Azzalure, Alluzience, Bocouture, Nuceiva and Letybo. All of them test on animals to some extent, yet these brands are under no obligation by the HPRA or the Government to disclose which animal-based tests they perform and to what extent.
Cosmetic Industry based on profits
It shouldn’t be a surprise that an industry based on exploiting people’s fears around aging would be built on top of animal’s blood and suffering. The anti-aging industry as a whole preys on people’s, mainly women’s, insecurities, promising them the fountain of youth in order to survive in an inherently misogynistic world.
According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, neuromodulator injections – including Botox – increased by 71% among 20-29 year olds and by 75% among ages 19 and younger from 2019 to 2022. ‘Preventive’ or ‘Baby’ Botox is continuously being promoted by influencers and social media – showcasing their more subtle, natural faces. Armed with the harmful beauty standards of flawless and wrinkle-free skin, many are then pushed into getting Botox, blissfully unaware of the death and destruction caused by this product. This boom in Botox could inevitably lead to more “severe” animal suffering and death.
Humane Alternatives
Ireland develops and produces approximately 80% of the world’s Botox, mainly through Allergan’s site in Westport, Co. Mayo. In 2011, Allergen received approval for a cell-based test to replace the majority of their animal testing within the US, Canada and the European Union. It was also through protests by the IAVS and the European Coalition to End Animal Experiments (ECEAE) that pressured the companies Merz and Ipsen to replace most of their animal-based testing for Botox.
Companies rarely move towards humane testing on their own, it is often animal rights activists who push corporations into switching. Despite it being easy to switch to alternatives like ‘cell-based assay’ (CBA), Botox manufacturers rarely want to forfeit their profits in favour of animal welfare. As long as profits remain their central focus this cruelty will be perpetuated – these pharmaceutical companies must be taken into public ownership in order to shift the focus to human healthcare and animal welfare, not just profits.
Capitalism commodifies animals for profit and the Botox industry is just one slice of the systematic oppression animals face. Companies are rarely held accountable for the ongoing abuse and exploitation of animals – from the cosmetic industry down to factory farming. Animal exploitation is woven into the capitalist system and then hidden away from the public. The socialist movement must fight against the normalisation of violence against animals. Socialism and animal liberation are directly tied together, the same system that chews up and splits out the working class treats animals with the same vitriol. As socialist we stand clear in our message: no one – human or animal – should be made to suffer for profit..
