The “rules” are medication guidelines the Food and Drug Administration set forth decades ago. Products are categorized by toxicity levels: those in pregnancy category A like folic acid have no evidence of risk, but none of them quell blemishes. Those in category B, like erythromycin, may have shown harmful effects in animal studies, but not those with human testers.
Category Cs, like Retin-A, have demonstrated an adverse effect on animal fetuses, but, according to the F.D.A., “the potential benefits may warrant use of the drug in pregnant women despite potential risks.”
“Now, Add Pimples to the List” The New York Times
In other words, we need animal research when it suits us and when it doesn’t we won’t.
