The American Anti-Vivisection Society (AAVS) is a non-profit animal advocacy and educational organization that unequivocally opposes and works to end experiments on animals, and opposes all forms of cruelty to animals. Founded in 1883, AAVS is the oldest organization in the United States devoted to ending the use of animals in research, testing, and education. Check out http://www.aavs.org/home.html to learn about the alternatives to using animals in testing and research.

Click below to find a list of Companies that do not test finished products,, ingredients, or formulations on animals.

This is a topic that is much debated, especially by those who are Pro-Life and/or Vegan, as there is so much to consider when determining whether to immunize your child or not. I myself was astounded when I discovered the many dangerous and unethical ingredients in vaccines. Most of the ingredients in vaccines are extremely hazardous and toxic to our bodies, even in small quantities. Many contain live viruses! Trace amounts of the mediums in which vaccines are cultured can be found in them as well, such as chicken eggs, monkey kidney cells and aborted human fetal tissue (yes, can you believe this?!).

Other ingredients include Ammonium Sulfate, Formalin (30% formaldehyde), Aluminum, Thimerosal (50% Mercury), Phenoxyethanol (Antifreeze).

Common ingredients in vaccines are animal byproducts, such as gelatin (a known allergen), serums, guinea pig embryo cells, or residual proteins, chicken embryo and embryonic fluid and human diploid cells from aborted fetal tissue, antibiotics such as Polymixin, Neomycin, Neomycin Sulfate, Gentamicin sulfate, Amphotericin B and Streptomycin.

With every child and adult on the planet a potential recipient of vaccines administered periodically throughout their lives, and every healthcare system and government being a potential buyer, it is little wonder that countless millions of dollars are being spent nurturing the growing multi-billion dollar vaccine industry.

Legal Exemptions to Vaccinations: Medical, Religious, and Philosophical exemptions are worded differently for each state. To use an exemption for your child, you must know specifically what the law says in your state.

• Medical Exemptions: Medical Exemptions: All 50 states allow medical exemption to vaccination. Proof of medical exemption must take the form of a signed statement by a Medical Doctor (M.D.) or a Doctor of Osteopathy (D.O.) that the administering of one or more vaccines would be detrimental to the health of an individual. Most doctors follow the CDC and AAP guidelines. Some states will accept a private physician's written exemption without question. Other states allow the state health department to review the doctor's exemption and revoke it if health department officials don't think the exemption is justified.
• Religious Exemptions: Religious Exemption: All states allow a religious exemption to vaccination except Arkansas, Mississippi and West Virginia. The religious exemption is intended for people who possess a sincere religious belief against vaccination to the extent that if the state forced vaccination, it would be an infringement on their right to exercise their religious beliefs.
• Philosophical Exemption: The following 17 states allow exemption to vaccination based on philosophical beliefs: Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Louisiana, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, Utah, Vermont, Washington and Wisconsin. In many of these states, in order to use the philosophical objection or personal conviction exemption, individuals must object to all vaccines, not just a particular vaccine.

Vaccines and Their Ingredients

• Polio - DPT contains: DPT - Diptheria and Tetanus Toxoids and Pertussis Vaccine Adsorbed SmithKline Beecham Pharmeceuticals Produced using aluminum phosphate, formaldehyde, ammonium sulfate, washed sheep red blood cells, glycerol, sodium chloride, thimerosal medium: porcine (PIG) pancreatic hydrolsate of casein.
• Acel-Immune DTaP Diptheria and Tetanus Toxoids Acellular Pertussis Vaccine adsorbed Lederle Laboratories Produced using formaldehyde, thimerosal, aluminum hydroxide, aluminum phosphate, polysorbate 80, gelatin.
• Act HIB Heamophilus Influenzae Type B (HIB) Tetanus Toxoid Conjugate Connaught Laboratories Produced using ammonium sulfate, formalin, sucrose, thimerosal Medium: semi-synthetic.
• Attenuvax Measles Virus Vaccine Live Merck & Co, Inc. Produced using neomycin, sorbitol, hydrolized gelatin Medium: chick embryo.
• DPT Diptheria and Tetanus Toxoids and Pertussis Vaccine Adsorbed SmithKline Beecham Pharmeceuticals Produced using aluminum phosphate, formaldehyde, ammonium sulfate, washed sheep red blood cells, glycerol, sodium chloride, thimerosal. Medium: porcine (pig) pancreatic hydrolsate of casein.
• Hepatitis B SmithKline Beecham Pharmaceuticals Produced using aluminum hydroxide, thimerosal. Medium: yeast
• IPOL Inactivated Polio Vaccine Connought Laboratories Produced using 3 types of polio virus, formaldehyde, phenoxyethanol (antifreeze), neomycin, streptomycin, polymixin B. Medium: VERO cells, a continuous line of Monkey kidney cells.
• MMR Measles Mumps Rubella Live Viruse Vaccine Merck & Co., Inc. Produced using sorbitol, neomycin, hydrolized gelatin. Mediums: M&M - chick embryo. Rubella - Human diploid cells (originating from human aborted fetal tissue).
• Orimune Poliovirus Vaccine Live Oral Trivalent Lederle Laboratories Produced using 3 types of attenuated polioviruses, streptomycin, neomycin, calf serum, sorbitol. Meduim: monkey kidney cell culture,
• Varivax Varicella Virus Vaccine Live (chicken pox Vaccine) Merck & Co., Inc. Produced using sucrose, phosphate, glutamate, proceessed gelatin medium: Human Diploid Cells (originating from human aborted fetal tissue).
• Vaccines Grown In Aborted Fetal Cell Cultures
:
• Chickenpox, VARIVAX: Merck
• Hepatitis A, VAQTA: Merck
• Polio (oral), Poliovac, Canada: Connaught
• Polio, IMOVAX: Connaught
• Rabies, Imovax: Pasteur Merieux
• Rubella, MERUVAX: Merck
• Vaccines With Live Virus
:
• Chickenpox, VARIVAX: Merck
• Measles, ATTENUVAX: Merck
• Measles and Mumps, M-M-Vax: Merck
• Measles, Mumps and Rubella, M-M-RII: Merck
• Measles and Rubella, M-R-VaxII: Merck
• Mumps, MUMPSVAX: Merck
• Rubella, MERUVAX: Merck
• Rubella and Mumps: BIAVAX
• Vaccines - Genetically-Engineered
:
• Hepatitis B: Merck
• Hepatitis B: SmithKline Beecham
• Lyme, LYMERIX: SmithKline Beecham
• RSV, Synapis: MedIMMUNE (vaccine or preventive treatment)
• Vaccines With Animal And Cattle Parts
:
• Chickenpox, VARIVAX -- fetal bovine serum: Merck
• Diphtheria, Tetanus, accelular Pertusssis, Acel-Immune -- beef heart infusion: Lederle
• Infanrix -- bovine extract: SmithKline Beecham
• Flu, FLUSHIELD -- chick embryos: Wyeth: Fluzone -- chicken embryos: Connaught
• Measles, ATTENUVAX -- hydrolyzed gelatin: Merck
• Measles, Mumps and Rubella, M-M-RII -- hydrolyzed gelatin: Merck
• Mumps, MuMPSVAX -- hydrolyzed gelatin: Merck
• Polio, IPOL -- calf serum, monkey kidney cells: Pasteur Merieux
• Polio (oral), ORIMUNE -- kidney cells, calf serum: Lederle
• Rub
ella, MERUVAX -- hydrolyzed gelatin: Merck
• Rubella and Mumps, BIAVAX -- hydrolyzed gelatin: Merck
• Vaccines Using Cattle Material - (blood, fetal calf serum, meat broth--from countries U.S. government states have a RISK OF MAD COW DISEASES.)
:
• Anthrax: *BioPort DPT Certiva, Anthrax: *BioPort DPT Certiva, , diptheria, pertussis, tetanus: North American/Baxter International
• DPT: Infanrix, diptheria, pertussis, tetanus: GlaxoSmithKline Beecham
• Hep A: *Havrix, hepatitis A: GlaxoSmithKline Beecham
• Hib *ActHIB, haemophilus influenza Type B: Aventis Pasteur
• Hib: *OmniHIB: haemophilus influenza Type B: GlaxoSmithKline Beecham
,li>Pneumonia, *PNU-IMUNE 23: Lederle/American Home Products
• Polio IPOL: Aventis Pasteur

(source: Illiniois Vaccine Awareness Coalition (IVAC)

See Also: List of Vaccines containing animal products and animal by-products.

It upsets and frustrates me beyond words to realize that everyday no matter how hard I try I am still using something that was derived from an animal. You could quite litterally drive yourself insane trying to eliminate ALL animal products from your life (and I will be insane : ) As it is, I spend countless hours reading label after label....ingredient list after ingredient list before I purchase anything. I'm always writing to manufacturers, calling companies, researching online. It could be a fulltime job! What does a vegan do when there are no alternatives, no options to some of the products I have mentioned below? (On my Sharing page you will find a list of companies providing some alternatives to building and home products, medications, garden products, etc..........and on my Products page I try to provide as many vegan-safe products that I can find). Here are some of the ways we may NOT be aware we are using animal products:

*Many of the synthetics we use contain some animal products. Plastic and rubber, for example, are made using fatty acids which come from animal fats. Glue made from cow hide is preferred when binding books because animal glue can withstand high temperatures. Our grocery store shelves are lined with items that use animal-based products: either as ingredients or in their production, processing or packaging.

**Animal gelatins are an ingredient in a wide range of foods like candies, marshmallows, flavorings and of course "jello". Gelatin is also a common food stabilizer used in items like mayonnaise and ice cream, "lite" products and frozen foods. Animal fats are used in many foods including oleo margarine, shortenings, pastas, and salad dressings. Animal products are used to process foods. Purified bone ash is used to refine sugar and animal fats may be used to control foam in making maple syrup. Gelatins are used to clarify beverages like fruit juices, beer and wine.

*Animals are also part of the package. Plastic, cardboard and paper containers, the cellophane and wax paper used to keep foods fresh and packages sealed, and the ink and glue used on the label, all involve animal products.

*From the paint and wallpaper on the walls to the linoleum and carpet on the floors, we’re literally surrounded by items that include products from animals. Animal products are used to make the plywood and drywall used in buildings and in the insulation that keeps them warm. Refrigerators and air conditioners use freon, a cooling agent that contains a derivative from animal fat. Egg whites are used in ceramic tile and catalase enzyme is used to make foam rubber.

*Laundry detergents and fabric softeners contain animal products as do many disinfectants, household cleaners and polishes. Animals even give us candles and the matches to light them with.

*The asphalt on roads and walkways, the concrete blocks used to build bridges, even the steel in trains and planes are made using animal products. Fatty acids and proteins are used to make lubricants and fluids. Glycerol is in brake fluid and anti-freeze while stearic acid is used to help tires hold their shape and improve their wear.

*Sunscreens, deodorants, contact lense cleaners, soaps and shampoos, cosmetics, toothpastes and mouthwashes can contain animal products. Lanolin, an oil that is removed from sheep wool before it can be spun and dyed, is used in many hand creams and make-up.

*Would you believe that even buttons used to fasten clothes can contain animal products plus the fabric dyes used to color them.

*Medical supplies also rely on animal products. For example; latex surgical gloves contain tallow, x-ray film contains gelatin, and wool grease is used to make thermometers heat sensitive.

*Sheep wool is used in baseballs and gelatin in golf balls. Leather, foam rubber and plastics from animal products are used in most types of sports equipment. Sheep intestines are used to string some types of sports racquets while poultry feathers are used to make darts and fishing lures.

*Animal products are used in making the electrical circuitry, the ink toners to print onto copy paper and even the paper itself. Steel ball bearings and lubricants contain animal products that help machinery run smoothly and safely. Industrial cleaners and fire extinguishers are made using animal ingredients. Things such as photographic films and filters, inks and photographic papers. Artist brushes and art supplies and instruments like drums, pianos, and other tools of the trade...........all use animal products.

See also:ANIMAL INGREDIENTS A TO Z

Of course, we all know the obvious reasons why vegans avoid leather and fur (even though I have included them) but I was fascinated to find out how pearls are cultivated.....and how silk is made, even though I have always avoided both.

1. Puffing smoke into the hive in order to calm the bees and to make them easier to handle when the honey is being removed.
2. However, calming them in this way increases their chances of being crushed when the comb is manipulated.
3. Clipping the Queen's wings in order to prevent her from leaving the hive and taking the colony with her.
4. Artificially inseminating the queen with sperm which has been obtained from decaptitated bees. (Decapitation causes sexual arousal.)
5. Removing honey from the hive and replacing it with a nutrient-deficient white sugar solution, thus robbing the bees of their natural supply of energy. This practice can reduce their vigour and shorten their life span.

• It is a good idea to avoid capsules as they are often made from gelatin derived from animal sources. This is also often true with medicines and herbal supplement found in health food stores
• Capsules are also derived from a vegetarian sources and will often be refers to as VegCaps. Usually companies that use vegetarian capsules will state this on the package as this is a major selling point with many people.
• Two ingredients in pills that are derived from animal sources are Stearic Acid and Magnesium Stearate, which are usually derived from Cows. They are used as anti-caking agent, a emulsifier, a lubricant or binder.
• Gel-cap forms of pills and medicine are usually made with gelatin derives from pigs.
• Seldane Caps contain Pepsin (an animal product ). Seldane Syrup does not contain any animal products.
• Medicines that do not contain animal ingredients or alcohol:
• All Triaminic Brand cough syrups and all Soft Chew Tablets
• Pedia Sure Brand Cough & Cold, Cold & Allergy, Infant Decongestion Drops, Infant Decongestion Plus Cough, Infant Long Acting Cough, Infant Long Acting Cough & Cold Night Rest.
• Vicks Brand Children NY Quil
• Tylenol Brand Simply Cough
• Children Medicines that contain meat products:
• Tylenol Children Cold & Cough Tablet
• Robitussion brand Children Night Relief, Cough & Cold DM, Pediatric Cough
• Adult Medicines that do not contain Animal Ingredients or Alcohol:
• Vicks Brand Cough Drops, Vaporize Cream
• Halls Brand Cough Drops Tropical Flavor only
• Medicines that contain Animal Ingredients:
• Dimetapp Brand Cold & Allergy, Cold & Cough, Night Time Flu.
• Robitussion Brand DM Cough & Chest Congestion, Allergy & Cough, Cough Jells (Beef Gelatin) CF Cough, Chest Congestion & Nasal Stuffiness, Flu Loosens & Relieves, Maximum Strength Night Relief, PE
• Medicines that do not contain Animal Ingredients but do contain Alcohol:
• Vicks NY Quil Cough Medicines that contain Glycerin derived from Pork
• Sudafed (all products)
• Benadryl (all products)
• Medicines that contain Animal Products:
• Vicks Brand 44E, 44D, Cough & Cold, Liquid Cap Multi System.
• These products contain glycerin used in the FD&C colors as a solvent and the glycerin may contain pork or beef ingredients:
• Robitussion Brand
• Cherry Cough Drops Extra Strength
• Liquid Centers Cough Drops
• Honey Lemon Cough Drops
• Strawberry Cough Drops
• Halls Brand Blue Ice Cough Drops, Cherry Cough Drops, Strawberry Cough Drops
• These Medicines are Questionable:
• Vicks Brand Day Quil
• Comtrex Brand Cold & Cough Caplet, All four Liquid Products, Seven Caplet Products
• Triaminic 's Cough & Sour Throat, Flu Cough & Fever, Cough Syrup and other 6 syrups for children are made without animal derived ingredients and there is no alcohol in them

By clicking on this website, you can sign a petition to request That USA Companies Clearly Mark Food, Cosmetic & Body Care Items as Either Vegan or Vegetarian on Their Products if they are free of animal ingredients.

PLEASE NOTE: ALL over-the-counter medicines and/or their ingredients are extensively tested on animals, as currently required by the Food and Drug Administration.

Although we should all avoid using pharmaceutical products in favor of more natural approaches to health, it may, on occasion, be advisable or even necessary to take a pharmaceutical product.

Putting aside other problems with these products, they often are not vegan in that they contain various animal products as “inactive” ingredients. For example, many tablets contain stearates or glycerin, which often come from animal sources, or lactose, which is a milk derivative. And standard capsules are, of course, made of gelatin.

Over 350 pharmaceuticals come from animals! Animal products are used in cold and allergy medicines and the gelatin capsules they come in. Stomach remedies, vitamins and mineral supplements are also derived from animals. Many lifesaving drugs such as cortisone and insulin, and treatments for anaemia, emphysema, malaria, stroke and heart attacks are animal-based. While some pharmaceuticals, such as insulin, can now be synthesized through biotechnology many are still made from animal-based products.

There are, in most places, including smaller cities and towns, “compounding pharmacies.” These pharmacies exist primarily to provide prescription medicines that are not available commercially. (by Gary L. Francione)

Many of you may not be aware that there are "Compounding Pharmacies" that can assist us in preparing vegan prescription medications. Scroll down on my sharing page for a compound pharmacy locator.

You will find a COMPOUNDING PHARMACY LOCATOR at this website

Many of the scents used in both men's and women's, but predominantly in mens designer perfumes have their origins from animals! The role of animal products used in perfume making is a very unpleasant side of the perfume industry.

Some animals have odorous sacs that are used to create many different fragrance oils. These animals include specific kinds of whales, beavers, civets, deer and even bees. Bees are not the direct sources of the fragrance oils but their honeycombs are.

One of the most important fragrances is "Musk". Musk is perhaps the most powerful of all perfume fragrances, and the most expensive. The original musk scent came from the musk deer. Musk deer are killed for their scent-containing pods, to the point that they have been placed on the “vulnerable” list as they near extinction.

Eventually, they started using other musk-like scents from other animals, such as the North American muskrat, the Musk Duck from Australia, the musk shrew, the musk beetle and several other animal and insects.

Musk is used as a fixative, allowing the final product to last longer. It is due to this property, that it is found in 35% of mens perfumes and in nearly 90% of all designer perfumes. Because animal musks are technically a naturally derived product, many perfumers call their perfumes “natural” even though they include ingredients that are harvested from animals at the cost of terrible suffering.

The perfumers also use Ambergris secreted from whale intestines (used as a fixative), Castoreum from muskrat and beaver genitals and civet paste which is an oily secretion painfully scraped from a gland very near the genital organs of civet cats.

Civet cats, who cannot be bred in captivity, are captured in the wild and held in tiny cages barely larger than their bodies, where they are kept without release for up to 15 years. Every ten days or so the musk is brutally extracted from the glands of the conscious civets, who often cease to eat after the first time extraction is performed, preferring to starve themselves to death. As recently as ten years ago the European beaver was on the edge of extinction, due to overhunting for pelts and the scent-containing castoreum sacs.

Aside from the animal ingredients and the cruelty involved in making perfumes and colognes, consider these facts:

• There are 3,000–5,000 chemicals used in fragrances.
• 95% of these chemicals are derived from petroleum.
• The perfume industry is not regulated by any government agency.
• Many chemicals that are known to be toxic are still used in perfume.
• Many of the chemicals in your perfume are also found in gasoline and in cigarette smoke.

If you are looking for vegan fragrances, that do not cantain chemicals and are not tested on animals, please check out my products page for "Soul-Flower" THey have a line of roll-on natural scents made from Hempseed Oil. I love them!