From Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The
Draize test
is a test, to see if a substance is
toxic
. John H. Draize and Jacob M. Spines first used the test in 1944. The test was first used for
cosmetics
, but later for other substances as well. To see if a substance is toxic, it is applied to the
skin
or the
eye
of an animal, for a given time. After the time, the substance is washed out and the effects are recorded. Very often, small animals, such as
rabbits
were used. After the test, the animals are observed for up to 14 days. If the test does irreversible damage to the skin or the eye, the animal is killed after the test. Animals may be re-used for testing purposes if the product tested causes no permanent damage. Animals are typically reused after a "wash out" period during which all traces of the tested product are allowed to disperse from the test site.
[1]
The tests are
controversial
. They are seem as cruel and unscientific because of the differences between rabbit and human eyes, and the subjective nature of the visual evaluations. The FDA supports the test, stating that "to date, no single test, or battery of tests, has been accepted by the
scientific community
as a replacement [for] ... the Draize test".
[2]
Because of its controversial nature, the use of the Draize test in the U.S. and Europe has declined in recent years and is sometimes modified so that
anaesthetics
are administered and lower doses of the test substances used.
[3]
Chemicals already shown to have adverse effects
in vitro
are not currently used in a Draize test, thereby reducing the number and severity of tests that are carried out.
Other tests have been developed which can replace the Draize test for many applications: First there is a test that uses chicken eggs. Another test uses Spanish slugs.
[4]
- ↑
Animals in Product Testing
Archived
May 16, 2006, at the
Wayback Machine
, National Anti-Vivisection Society, retrieved 29 June 2009.
- ↑
"
Validation of In Vitro Methods: Regulatory Issues
Archived
February 21, 2006, at the
Wayback Machine
", Animal Welfare Information Center Newsletter, Summer 1994, Vol. 5, no. 2
- ↑
Alternatives to Animal Testing Web Site
Archived
February 9, 2006, at the
Wayback Machine
, retrieved 29 June 2009.
- ↑
"Slugs displace bunnies in the lab"
.
Times Higher Education (THE)
. 2002-08-09
. Retrieved
2020-07-01
.