The Student Room Group

Pepsi uses aborted fetal cells in flavour research

I was shocked when I read this.

PepsiCo had contracted with Senomyx Inc., a San Diego biotech company that listed HEK-293, a “human embryo kidney” cell line produced from an aborted fetus in the 1970s, in more than 70 patents related to flavor enhancers.


Aborted cells are used in the development of artificial flavor enhancers by biotech company Senomyx, Senomyx’s disputed cell line is HEK-293, derived from the kidney cells of an aborted baby. Senomyx develops patented flavor enhancers by using “proprietary taste receptor-based assay systems.” These receptors are made from HEK293. HEK stands for Human Embryonic Kidney cells. These cells, which were cloned, originally came from healthy, electively aborted human embryos. Using information from the human genome sequence, Senomyx has identified hundreds of taste receptors and currently owns 113 patents on their discoveries.


Bear in mind that:
There are no aborted embryonic or fetal cells in any of PepsiCo’s final products but aborted cells are used in the development of artificial flavor enhancers.


What are your opinions on this?



Sources:
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2012/apr/30/pro-lifers-drop-pepsi-boycott/#disqus_thread

http://www.snopes.com/politics/medical/pepsi.asp

http://www.lifesitenews.com/blog/confused-about-the-pepsi-fetal-cell-issue-here-are-the-facts/

http://www.thenewamerican.com/culture/faith-and-morals/item/11480-pepsi-says-it-will-halt-use-of-aborted-fetal-cells-in-flavor-research
(edited 10 years ago)

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Reply 1
Haha, this is so ****ed up. I thought Pepsi tasted different recently.
Reply 2
heave.

never ever ever again
Reply 3
Mmmm tasty.
Reply 5
Using information from the human genome sequence, Senomyx has identified hundreds of taste receptors and currently owns 113 patents on their discoveries


There are no aborted embryonic or fetal cells in any of PepsiCo’s final products but aborted cells are used in the development of artificial flavor enhancers


I was a bit shocked based purely on the title as I didn't see how that would be the case and how it could be useful to them, obviously also if it was actually IN the drink it would be disturbing however after reading the explanation it makes plenty of sense. I don't know what the laws are regarding the previously pregnant womans rights on getting a say as to whether their aborted fetus can be used for such things. Not sure where I would stand on the issue of what they should be either. But other than an issue related to that I can't see how this is shocking.
Reply 6
Was just gonna go buy some pepsi

@_@
Reply 8
Oops never wanna do that now :yukh:
Reply 9
As long as it's not in my drink I don't really care.
Reply 10
Tastes good man.jpeg
"You know what is okay to put in hot dogs? Huh? Pig lips and *******s. But I say, hey, have at it bitches ’cause I love hot dogs."

- Jesse Pinkman, Breaking Bad
If it dont kill me..

I mean an ice cold pepsi is really refreshing regardless!
Original post by theCreator
"You know what is okay to put in hot dogs? Huh? Pig lips and *******s. But I say, hey, have at it bitches ’cause I love hot dogs."

- Jesse Pinkman, Breaking Bad


Watching season 5 episode 7 right now :laugh:
Reply 14
Well that's just sick.
How on earth did they come up with that idea?! :confused:

Whatever works I guess, they don't actually use the aborted fetal cells in the end product. Whether it's entirely ethical or not is a whole different issue. I can't imagine the process of asking the women if it can be used towards carbonated drink flavouring being at all easy!
Reply 16
soylent cola
I guess it stops them going to waste.
Original post by PythianLegume
I guess it stops them going to waste.


I shouldn't be smirking :naughty:
I see no issue with it. In fact, I think it's an excellent idea.

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