Vaccines Grown On Aborted Cells: Ethical Or Not?

There is a common misconception that vaccines contain aborted fetal cells. This is not true. However, some vaccines are grown using fetal cell lines, which are cells grown in a laboratory based on aborted fetal cells collected generations ago. The use of fetal tissue in vaccine development is the practice of researching, developing, and producing vaccines through growing viruses in cultured laboratory-grown cells that were originally derived from human fetal tissue. The fetal cells used to grow vaccine viruses were first obtained from elective termination of two pregnancies in the early 1960s. These same fetal cells obtained from the early 1960s have continued to grow in the laboratory and are used to make vaccines today.

Fetal cells are used to grow viruses for vaccines

Fetal cells have been used in the manufacture of vaccines since the 1930s. The first medical application of cell lines derived from fetal tissues was in the production of the first polio vaccines. For example, in the 1950s, scientists at the Karolinska Institute in Sweden propagated a polio virus in fetal cell lines to make a polio vaccine.

Vaccines that have been or are made using cell lines originally derived from fetal tissue include those against rabies (Imovax), rubella, chickenpox, shingles, and adenovirus. The COVID-19 vaccine (J&J/Janssen) is made using fetal retinal cells.

The use of fetal tissue in vaccine development is controversial, with opposition on religious and moral grounds. The Catholic Church has generally encouraged its members to use alternative vaccines produced without human cell lines if possible. However, the Vatican has clarified that it is "morally licit" for Catholics to receive vaccines derived from fetal cell lines if no alternative exists or if there is a grave health risk.

Vaccines do not contain fetal cells or DNA

It is understandable that some people may be concerned about the use of fetal cells in vaccines. However, it is important to emphasize that vaccines do not contain fetal cells or DNA. This means that vaccines do not include "parts of fetuses" or another person's DNA.

Viruses require cells to grow, and they tend to grow better in human cells than in animal cells. Fetal cells, in particular, were chosen because they were isolated from the sterile environment of the womb, reducing the risk of other viruses contaminating the vaccine. The fetal cells used in vaccines were obtained from elective terminations in the early 1960s, and these same cells have continued to grow in laboratories and are still used today. No further sources of fetal cells are needed.

Once the vaccine viruses are grown in the fetal cells, the next step is to purify the vaccine viruses and separate them from the cells and substances used to help the cells grow. This purification process breaks down any remaining cellular DNA, ensuring that it cannot replicate in the vaccinated person. Therefore, while fetal cells may be used in the production process, the final vaccine product does not contain fetal cells or DNA.

It is worth noting that not all vaccines use fetal cell lines. The COVID-19 vaccines, for example, do not use fetal cell lines, except for the Johnson & Johnson/Janssen vaccine, which uses retinal cells obtained from a termination in 1985.

Vaccines undergo rigorous scientific testing to ensure their safety. The safety of vaccines has been demonstrated over decades, with millions of people receiving vaccines safely. It is important to address misinformation about vaccine ingredients, as it can sow doubt and prevent individuals from making informed decisions about their health.

Religious views on vaccines with fetal cells

Vaccines are made using cells, and viruses tend to grow better in human cells than in animal cells. Fetal cells were originally used because they were isolated from the sterile environment of the womb, meaning they were not infected with other viruses.

Some religious groups have concerns about the use of fetal cells in vaccines. A small but growing number of parents object to vaccinating their children on these grounds, aware that some vaccines are the product of cells that once belonged to aborted fetuses.

However, religious leaders from major religions, including Catholicism, have evaluated the use of these cells in making vaccines and determined that it is not sinful to accept vaccines made in this way. Even religious organizations that generally oppose abortion have sided in favor of vaccines.

The Catholic Church, for example, permits the temporary use of vaccines generated using aborted fetal tissue to protect children from preventable diseases until alternative vaccines that do not use aborted fetal tissue are available. In 2020, Pope Francis approved a statement on the morality of COVID-19 vaccines, reiterating this position.

The Vatican Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith released a "Note on the Morality of Using Some Anti-COVID-19 Vaccines" on December 21, 2020. The statement said it was licit to use COVID-19 vaccines associated with aborted fetal tissue if no reasonable alternatives exist. It also encouraged pharmaceutical companies and governmental health agencies to produce, approve, distribute, and offer ethically acceptable vaccines that do not create problems of conscience.

The Islamic Organization for the Use of Pork Gelatin and the Orthodox Union and Rabbinical Council of America have also provided statements on the use of animal-derived products in vaccines, addressing the concerns of certain Muslims and Jews.

In summary, while some religious groups have concerns about the use of fetal cells in vaccines, religious leaders and organizations have largely supported immunization, emphasizing the importance of protecting children from preventable diseases and offering ethically acceptable alternatives when possible.

Fetal cells are preferred over animal cells

Secondly, fetal cells offer the benefit of being isolated from the sterile environment of the womb, ensuring that the cells are not infected with other viruses, and the resulting vaccine does not inadvertently introduce any other viruses.

Additionally, almost all cells die after they have divided a certain number of times, known as the Hayflick limit. Fetal cells, however, have not divided as frequently as other cell types, allowing for longer usage. Furthermore, the ability to maintain cells at very low temperatures, such as in liquid nitrogen, enables scientists to continue using the same fetal cell lines established decades ago.

Fetal cells have been crucial in developing life-saving medicines and vaccines, and their use in COVID-19 vaccines is not unique. These cells have been used in the production of vaccines for chickenpox, hepatitis, rabies, varicella, rubella, and hepatitis A.

Fetal cells are used in medical research

Fetal cells have been used in medical research since the 1930s. They are used to develop treatments and vaccines for a range of diseases and conditions. Fetal cells are used in research because they are easier to grow than adult cells and can be used to grow viruses for vaccines. They are also used because they do not have cell-surface markers that induce an immune system reaction in transplant recipients, which can lead to tissue rejection and transplant failure.

Fetal cells were first used in the development of the polio vaccine in the 1950s. They have also been used to develop vaccines for SARS-CoV-2, adenovirus, shingles, Haemophilus influenza type b (Hib), rabies, chickenpox, hepatitis, and measles, among others. Fetal tissue has also been used in research for treatments for cystic fibrosis and cancer immunotherapy.

Fetal tissue is also used in research to understand human development and disease progression. For example, studies on Zika virus infections and microcephaly require extensive oversight as they could directly encourage elective abortions. Fetal tissue is also used to establish causality and understand disease progression.

The use of fetal tissue in research is controversial. Opponents argue that there are alternative methods, such as animal models, umbilical cord stem cells, or adult stem cells. However, proponents argue that fetal tissue provides unique benefits, such as the ability to grow rapidly and differentiate into multiple cell types.

The Catholic Church, for example, permits the temporary use of vaccines generated using aborted fetal tissue to protect children from preventable diseases until alternative vaccines that do not use aborted fetal tissue are available.

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