French Scientists Develop Skin Lines for use in Research Instead of Animals

This is very good: French scientists have used leftover human skin from cosmetic surgery to develop a product for testing cosmetics that is better than using animals. From the story:

Cosmetics giant L’Oreal showed Sky News their new product called Episkin in an exclusive visit to their laboratory in Lyon, France.

The skin is grown from cells removed from donor skin left over after cosmetic surgery. Tests have shown it gives more accurate results than animal skin. The new skin has been cleared for use and will now be available to use in the cosmetic industry.

There is a theory in animal welfare advocacy called “The Three Rs“—replacement, reduction, refinement—to reduce the use of animals in various areas of research. This is a proper and lauditory goal. But note: It ain’t animal rights because it accepts the necessity of using animals in research.

This is a wonderful achievement, ethically and scientifically, and a noble and important expression of human exceptionalism. And credit where credit is due: This resulted from the European Union outlawing using animals in cosmetic testing.

But it isn’t animal rights.