Millions of Americans have gotten injections of BOTOX® Cosmetic in order to have some of their facial wrinkles smoothed out for a few months. What they may not realize, and what Botox's manufacturer, Allergan, doesn't tell them, is that animal suffering is the hidden ingredient in this beauty product. Every batch of Botox is tested using the notorious LD (Lethal Dose) 50 Test, which estimates the potency at which 50% of the injected animals will die. The test can last up to 3-4 days, during which the poison paralyzes muscles as it moves through the animal's body. Ultimately, the mice die from suffocation, undoubtedly after considerable distress.
Both Allergan and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration share the blame for this outrageous state of affairs. According to Allergan, the FDA requires LD50 testing for Botox. The FDA has ignored our requests for information about its oversight of Botox. And Allergan has refused to provide details on its testing program or on its efforts to develop alternative methods.
Animals should not be suffering for vanity's sake, especially through the outdated LD50 Test, which has been widely criticized as unreliable in addition to terribly inhumane. The HSUS is demanding that Allergan undertake a well-funded project to promptly replace the LD50 Test with a non-animal alternative. The HSUS is also calling upon the FDA to work with Allergan to develop this technically superior non-animal alternative test, and to change its policy on Botox potency testing accordingly.
WHAT YOU CAN DO:
Write to Allergan and politely but firmly express your concerns about its use of the LD50, which subjects animals to paralysis, suffocation, and death, so that people can look younger. Let the company know that you refuse to use BOTOX® Cosmetic until animals are no longer used to test its potency. Contact:
David E.I. Pyott
Chief Executive Officer
Allergan, Inc.
P.O. Box 19534
Irvine, CA 92623
Phone: 714-246-4500
E-mail: info@allergan.com
On-line contact form: http://www.allergan.com/site/system/contact.asp?id=&largeText=
Contact the Food and Drug Administration and politely but firmly urge the agency to work with Allergan to develop non-animal alternatives to the LD 50 Test, and to phase out any and all requirements for LD50 testing of FDA-regulated products. Contact:
Dr. Lester M. Crawford
Acting Commissioner
Food and Drug Administration
5600 Fishers Lane
Rockville, Maryland 20857
Phone: 1-888-INFO-FDA (463-6332)
E-mail: d.commissioner@fda.hhs.gov
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