PepsiCo, Senomyx and Aborted Fetal Cells
Abortion, Children, Embryonic Stem Cell Research, Family, In the News, Pro-Life, Social Justice, by Catholic Chapter House. Written by: Kathleen Dunn
When it comes to the twisted, bizarre, and far reaching ways the evil one has stretched the avenues of the anti-life movement, most of us think we’ve heard it all; however, while reading one of LifeSiteNews’ latest articles, I found myself taken by surprise. During the past year, the PepsiCo food company has signed on to collaborate with a scientific research company, Senomyx, who use aborted fetal cells for their development of artificial flavors.
Now I know what you may be thinking, because I sure did, – what do human embryos’ and food have to do with each other? Senomyx uses human embryonic kidney cells, which are a “heterogeneous mix of almost all the types of cells present in the body” (HEK293.com) from these electively aborted fetuses. The Senomyx website tells us that they isolate human taste receptors and create “proprietary taste receptor-based assay systems that provide a biochemical or electronic readout when a flavor ingredient interacts with the receptor” (Senomyx). From what I gather from their website, (and correct me if I’m wrong), this means that they use these cells (taken from the fetuses), as taste receptors and monitor the different reactions certain artificial flavors create when tested on the cells. Of course, the companies would never tell the public the depths of how they do their research. In fact, they advertise it as a positive, light-hearted new venture, which looks to benefit customers with healthy and tasty products.
“PepsiCo’s collaboration with Senomyx will focus on the discovery, development, and commercialization of sweet enhancers and natural high-potency sweeteners with the intent to bring to the marketplace lower-calorie, great tasting PepsiCo beverages. The agreement reflects the companies’ shared commitment to offer healthier products to consumers that maintain the sweet taste they want,” reports the press release on their ‘promising’ future together (PepsiCo). PepsiCo also owns popular brands such as Quaker, Frito Lays, Tropicana, Doritos, 7Up, Lipton, Aquafina, Ruffles, Tostitos, Sun Chips, Gatorade, Aunt Jemima and Mountain Dew. It should also be noted that Kraft foods and Nestlé also unfortunately collaborate with Senomyx research. We can rejoice, though, that Campbell Soup has discontinued its affiliation with Senomyx.
If you’re like most pro-life people out there – or like any sane person – you are disgusted and appalled. This so-called ‘science’ seems to reach the absolute low of a self-centered society – one that can justify using the bodies of aborted human beings in order to have a better tasting snack, especially when there are many other methods of testing that are more easily accessed.
“We believe that our novel flavors, flavor enhancers, and bitter blockers will enable our collaborators to achieve a competitive advantage and/or improve the nutritional profile of their products while maintaining or enhancing taste,” claims Senomyx. If desecrating the bodies of aborted children is a means to discovering better tasting and healthier food, definitely count me out. Any company who is willing to go to such repulsive extremes in order to gain better profit and offer me better food, (which probably isn’t so great anyways), is not getting my money.
If you’re with me, and many other ProLife groups and individuals, write a letter to these companies, and explain to them why you are no longer buying their product. Hopefully, they will see that no one should comply with such atrocities, and will remove themselves from their relationship with Senomyx.
