Icky Institutions: SC Johnson's response

Hey all:


Below is the response from SC Johnson, a company responsible for brands such as Drano, Edge, Fantastik, Glade, OFF!, Oust, Pledge, Scrubbing Bubbles, Shout, Skintimate, Windex and Ziploc.


"SC Johnson is contributing in many ways toward a time when animal testing for most products can be eliminated.  Until then, our consideration for human health and safety must take precedence over all else.  Thus, if animal testing is the only means available to adequately assure human health and safety, SC Johnson will have no other choice than to conduct such tests.

Until there is a time when animal testing is not required, we subscribe to Russell and Burch's "Three Rs" approach to animal testing:

·  Reduction (Reduction of the number of animals used through better science and experimental design)

Towards that end, SC Johnson's product toxicologists have created extensive databases of historic data in order to utilize previous data to assess similar formulations in lieu of further testing.  In addition, the company's toxicology group has been active in the development, validation and application of alternative testing methods, such as CORROSITEX®, human tissue equivalent models and the bovine corneal assay as replacements for traditional eye and skin irritation tests using whole animals.  These assays have dramatically reduced the number of animals used in testing our products.

·  Refinement (Refinement of testing procedures to minimize animal suffering)

Any new method which reduces the number of animals used, the amount of time the animals are on test or improves exposure conditions are examples of refinement.  SC Johnson has been a contributing member of the Institute for In Vitro Sciences, a non-profit foundation dedicated to the advancement of alternative test methods, since their founding in 1997 and SC Johnson has had a seat on their Scientific Advisory Panel since 2000.  The Company has also helped fund the Joseph F. Morgan Foundation in Canada and FRAME (Fund for the Replacement of Animals in Medical Experiments) in the U.K.

·  Replacement  (the ultimate goal of total Replacement of whole animal testing with alternative methods)

Currently, there are no reliable substitutes for many of the standard toxicology studies needed to assure consumer safety.  SC Johnson may find that some animal testing is unavoidable.  However, it will be done only as a last resort.  Our scientists will continue to be conscientious in their selection of contract laboratories, expecting them to adhere to all regulatory for the humane treatment of animals.  The laboratories are also expected to minimize the number of animals used, to employ only certified laboratory personnel and to document their full compliance with all regulatory requirements.

We appreciate your concerns and the opportunity to share our perspective.  I hope that in the future you and your family will once again support our products.  We are truly trying to do the right thing for animals and our consumers."

You don't have to be cruel to be kind (keep setting that example, consumers!),

GiGi