From [email protected]
Jenkintown, PA � The American Anti-Vivisection Society (AAVS)
is very pleased to announce that Avon, an international cosmetic
manufacturer, has stated it will no longer fund animal-based research as
part of its Breast Cancer Crusade. AAVS applauds Avon for implementing a
compassionate and ethical policy that symbolizes its well-respected
progressive reputation.
In a letter to AAVS, Avon stated, "As of November 2,
2001, the official policy of the Avon Products Foundation is that no new
Avon Breast Cancer Crusade funds will be used to support breast cancer
research projects involving the use of animals." AAVS, along with other
animal advocacy groups, initiated a letter writing campaign this past
fall to persuade Avon to stop funding animal research through its
Crusade. "The Avon Breast Cancer Crusade is a wonderful project," says
AAVS Executive Director Tina Nelson. "And now it sets a precedent that
an effective, non-animal research based foundation can not only give
supportive care and educate the general public, but can also aid in the
advancement of fighting breast cancer." The Avon Breast Cancer Crusade
now joins a growing list of health charity organizations that do not
fund animal research.
Earlier this year, a coalition of animal advocacy
groups, which includes AAVS and the Physicians Committee for Responsible
Medicine, created the Humane Seal of Approval, the highest level of
assurance that a charity does not fund animal research. The United
Cancer Research Society, the Lymphoma Foundation of America, and the
Gilda Radner Familial Ovarian Cancer Registry have all signed onto the
Humane Charity Seal of Approval, and AAVS is hopeful that Avon will
adopt the Seal as well.
Additionally, this is not the first time that Avon has
been in the forefront of corporations that implement socially mindful
policies. In 1989, Avon became the first major cosmetics company to end
the use of animals in evaluating the safety of its products and
ingredients.
The American Anti-Vivisection Society (AAVS) is a
non-profit animal advocacy and educational organization dedicated to
ending experiments on animals in research, testing, and education.
Founded in 1883, AAVS is the oldest organization in the United States
dedicated to eliminating experiments on animals. AAVS pursues its
objectives through legal and effective advocacy, education, and
development of alternative methods. The Alternatives Research &
Development Foundation, an AAVS affiliate, was founded in 1994 to
support the development and use of alternatives to laboratory animals
through education and funding of related research projects.
Contacts:
Tina Nelson, AAVS Executive Director
Crystal Schaeffer, Communications Coordinator
(215) 887-0816
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