Trevor James
There is a lot of misinformation about vaccine ingredients, which has caused doubt among parents. Fetal cells are not present in routine childhood vaccines, and vaccines do not contain fetal cells or tissue. However, some vaccines are produced using fetal cell lines, which are different from fetal tissue. Fetal cell lines consist of cells that originated from abortions that took place decades ago, and these cells have since been grown in laboratories. The use of fetal cells to grow vaccine viruses began in the 1960s, and these original cell lines are still being used today, so no new aborted fetuses are needed. Fetal cells were chosen because they were isolated from the sterile environment of the womb, meaning they were not infected with other viruses. Additionally, fetal cells can be stored at very low temperatures and used in the future, and they have a longer lifespan than other cell types.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Do vaccines contain fetal cells? | No, vaccines do not contain fetal cells. |
| Why are fetal cells used? | Fetal cells were originally used because viruses tend to grow better in human cells than animal cells. Fetal cells have not divided as many times as other cell types, so they can be used longer. |
| Are fetal cells still used to make vaccines? | Yes, fetal cell lines are still used to create vaccines. However, no new fetal cell lines have been used since the original cell lines were created in the 1960s. |
| Are vaccines safe? | Yes, vaccines and their ingredients have been rigorously tested and found to be safe. |
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What You'll Learn
Fetal cells are used to grow viruses for vaccines
Fetal cells were first used in the 1960s when scientists obtained fetal fibroblast cells from elective terminations of two pregnancies. These cells were then used to develop two cell lines, WI-38 and MRC5, which have been maintained independently and used to make vaccines for decades. No further sources of fetal cells are needed to make these vaccines.
The purification process filters the vaccine during production, removing any cellular debris and growth reagents, including any remaining cellular DNA, which is broken down into harmless fragments.
Vaccines that use fetal-derived cells in their production include the rubella, hepatitis A, chickenpox, shingles, rabies, and COVID-19 vaccines. The use of fetal-derived cells in vaccine production has faced objections on religious and moral grounds, as the cells were originally derived from aborted fetuses. However, it is important to note that no new aborted fetuses are ever needed, and the vaccines themselves do not contain fetal tissue or DNA.
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Vaccines do not contain fetal cells or DNA
Claims that vaccines contain aborted fetal cells, tissue, or DNA are false. While some vaccines are developed using human cell lines cultured from fetal cells, the actual vaccines do not contain fetal cells or tissue. The fetal cells are isolated from the final product through purification processes, which also break down any remaining cellular DNA.
Fetal cells were originally used to grow vaccine viruses because they provided a sterile environment, reducing the risk of introducing other viruses into the vaccine. Additionally, viruses tend to grow better in human cells than animal cells. Fetal cells can also be maintained for longer periods due to their lower number of divisions.
The use of fetal cells in vaccine development has been a topic of debate, with religious and moral concerns raised. However, health organizations and experts have emphasized that the finished vaccines do not contain fetal cells or DNA. The purification process ensures that any cellular debris and growth reagents are removed, resulting in a pure vaccine product.
Social media posts and misinformation spreading false claims about vaccine ingredients have sowed doubt and confusion among parents and the public. It is important to refer to reliable sources and scientific evidence when seeking information about vaccine safety. The United States, for example, has a rigorous national system in place to track vaccine safety, with thorough testing and monitoring conducted by the Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
While concerns about the presence of fetal cells or DNA in vaccines are understandable, it is important to clarify that vaccines do not contain these elements. The purification and manufacturing processes ensure their absence, and health organizations continue to prioritize vaccine safety and transparency.
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Fetal cells have not been divided as much as other cell types
Fetal cells have been used to grow vaccine viruses since the 1960s. This is because viruses need cells to grow and tend to grow better in human cells than animal cells. Fetal cells, in particular, were chosen because they were isolated from the sterile environment of the womb, meaning they were not infected with other viruses.
Almost all cells die after they have divided a certain number of times, known as the Hayflick limit. For most cell lines, this is around 50 divisions. However, fetal cells have not been divided as much as other cell types, so they can be used for longer. Additionally, the ability to maintain cells at very low temperatures, such as in liquid nitrogen, has allowed scientists to continue using the same fetal cell lines isolated decades ago.
It is important to note that vaccines do not contain fetal cells. Once the vaccine viruses are grown, they are purified to remove cellular debris and growth reagents. During this purification process, any remaining cellular DNA is broken down. This means that vaccines do not contain any human DNA or "parts of fetuses."
While some people may have concerns about the use of fetal cells in vaccine development, it is important to emphasize that the cell lines were developed from legally aborted fetuses in the 1960s, and no new aborted fetuses are needed. Religious leaders from major religions, including Catholicism, have evaluated the use of these cells and determined that it is not sinful to accept vaccines made in this manner.
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Fetal cells are stored at low temperatures for future use
Fetal cells are used to grow vaccine viruses, but the vaccines themselves do not contain fetal cells or pieces of DNA that are recognisable as human DNA. The purification process during vaccine production filters out the cellular debris and growth reagents, breaking down any remaining cellular DNA.
Fetal cells are used because viruses tend to grow better in human cells than animal cells, as they infect humans. Fetal cells are also preferred because they are isolated from the sterile environment of the womb, meaning they are not infected with other viruses. Additionally, because fetal cells have not divided as many times as other cell types, they can be used for longer.
To prepare for cryopreservation, the cells are characterised and checked for contamination. They are then frozen in the log phase, at a high concentration of at least 90% viability, and at as low a passage number as possible. This results in the best outcomes when the stock is thawed. Cryoprotective agents (CPAs) are added to the embryos to act as an antifreeze and protect them from ice crystals.
Cryopreservation is an effective way to store biological samples over long distances and prolonged periods, as well as create a bank of samples for users. It is also used for gene therapy treatments, such as for cancer patients suffering from leukaemia or lymphoma.
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Vaccines are safe and rigorously scientifically tested
Vaccines are rigorously scientifically tested and safe. Every vaccine recommended for children has undergone extensive research, including clinical trials that often use placebos or comparison groups, to ensure it is safe and effective. Once approved, vaccines continue to be monitored for safety. The research process involves tens of thousands of study participants, scientists, and medical experts.
When a new vaccine is developed, it goes through multiple rounds of research and testing. This process begins with lab research and animal testing, followed by multiple phases of clinical trials to ensure the vaccine is both safe and effective.
Vaccine ingredients undergo rigorous scientific testing to make sure they are safe in the amounts used in vaccines. The number of additives in vaccines is very small. In fact, people are exposed to much higher levels of these ingredients in their everyday lives. For example, small amounts of aluminum salts is used in some vaccines to increase the body's immune response, meaning fewer doses are needed.
The United States has set up one of the most advanced national systems in the world to track vaccine safety. Vaccines and their ingredients are thoroughly tested before being licensed by the Food and Drug Administration and recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Each batch of vaccines is also tested for safety and quality, and several different agencies and programs continuously monitor the vaccines over time. Vaccines have been given safely to millions of people over the past 50 years.
Some vaccines involve growing viruses in human cell cultures originally developed from two aborted fetuses in the 1960s. However, no fetal tissue has been added since the cell lines were originally created. The fetal cells used to grow vaccine viruses were isolated from the sterile environment of the womb, meaning the cells would not be infected with other viruses, and the vaccine produced in these cells would not inadvertently introduce any other viruses. Importantly, vaccines do not contain fetal cells. Once the vaccine viruses are grown in the cells, the next step in the manufacturing process is to purify the vaccine viruses away from the cells and substances used to help the cells grow.
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Frequently asked questions
No, vaccines do not contain fetal cells. Vaccines that prevent viral infections need a living cell in which the virus can replicate. This cell can come from a chicken egg or a human cell line.
Fetal cells were originally used because viruses tend to grow better in human cells than animal cells. Fetal cells have not divided as many times as other cell types, so they can be used longer. They can also be stored at very low temperatures and used in the future.
Although I cannot find specific information about the tetanus vaccine, it is likely that it contains fetal cell lines as many common vaccines do, including those for varicella, rubella, hepatitis A, and one of the COVID-19 vaccines.
