by Kristin Jackman

Created on: June 13, 2009

Most children in the United States grow up attending at least one circus where they encounter lions, tigers... and elephants. Oh my! The presumed obedient behavior displayed by the socially chained wildlife seems natural and without fault. However, the underlying abuse those animals face and have experienced is the real reason for their mundane reactions to their keeper's instructions. It wasn't until recent years that it came to light the devastating physical interactions elephants and tigers, as well all circus-caged animals face, that the world living outside the big tent became involved and started voicing their aggressive opposition to tricks under the trapeze. More animal rights groups, including PETA and the WWF intervened, and though it's still a prevailing part of circus training and performance, more often than not many traveling and accredited shows abide by strict guidelines set forth by their local, state and federal agencies established to protect and maintain the healthy sustainability of wildlife in human settings.

On a similarly cruel and inept attempt to promote human self-preservation and beauty, many labs nationwide (and even worldwide) still continue to test their consumer-meant goods on animals, both classifiably domestic and wild, in order to enrich their products for future retail product development. The rules and regulations meant to protect those 'lab rats' (so-to-speak) don't do enough to ensure their well-being on a wide spectrum. Sure, you may have a lipstick or perfume that doesn't irritate the animal's skin or cause unhealthy risks, but the psychological ramifications are insurmountable. For a creature that doesn't know nor fathom the procedures it's succumbing to can't possibly generate 'normal' reactions. Imagine you're old enough to walk, but not old enough to speak in full, complete, and comprehensive sentences. You see or are an unfortunate bystander to an awkward or painful situation. How would you cope? How would you be able to classify it? Should this be part of your daily life, you'd eventually become numb to it, and if ever it should stop suddenly, you'd be lost and perhaps unable to live fully and independently due to your underlying need for that morbid void to be filled. Animals can't say "stop" or give reasons for their discomfort or pain. They act out, sometimes violently. But, if unable to even do that, they'd likely suppress their experiences and be forever neurologically damaged as a result.

Now granted my examples and points may be weighted heavily on the extreme side of the scale, but I bring them to light simply to demonstrate that if the tables were turned and a human being was put through the processes that many animals are forced to experience, whether being whipped into submission by a grand master at a circus, or injected with botox (which is a poison regardless of the species), there'd be an immediate outcry for our freedom and a condemnation of the lab or circus we were involved with. State and federal laws have been implemented to help limit the amount of exposure trained animals face when used in public shows for entertainment purposes, however the same cannot be said of cosmetic labs and research. Sure, there are animal testing laws, however they are not nearly as restricted as other animal welfare guidelines, nor do they truly prevent the harmful issues facing the thousands of living animal creatures forced to be painted with superficial markers produced merely on the concept that it'll enhance lip color, eyelash length, body odor, etc. Will it ever change? Doubtful... people would prefer to maintain their beauty than forfeit the assurance it's safe.

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