A few weeks ago, Neuralstem announced it discovered a possible new
drug to treat depression. It tested several compounds using its
stem-cell line to see which chemical showed promise in increasing the
size of the hippocampus, a part of the brain that is shrunken in those
who suffer from depression. Neuralstem did not disclose if the stem-cell
line it used to develop this new drug came from an electively aborted
fetus. But in academic publications listed on its website, the stem
cells are described as “fetal.” The Food and Drug Administration has
given Neuralstem the go-ahead to test the new drug in depressed
patients.
There is also ReNeuron, an English company that has applied
for clinical trials in the United States. ReNeuron wants to use stem
cells from aborted fetuses to treat stroke victims. In an interview with
Innovaro Pharmalicensing, the managing director of ReNeuron explained
where the company gets its stem cells. He said, “We access human
fetal-brain material from terminated pregnancies. They’re typically
about 8-to-10-week fetuses.”
There is also Neocutis, a San Francisco company, which is
selling cosmetic and dermatological products that have come from aborted
fetal tissue. Neocutis openly admits that its PSP (Processed Skin Cell
Proteins) products are derived from the cells of an electively aborted
fetus. These PSP products are being marketed to treat “around-the-eye
wrinkles and puffiness, to reduce fine lines and wrinkles, and provide
long-lasting hydration for luminous skin.”
Then there are the vaccine makers like Merck and
GlaxoSmithKline. Cell lines MRC-5 and WI-38 are common cell lines used
by these companies to produce vaccines for rubella, polio, hepatitis A
and chicken pox. MRC-5 was developed from lung cells from a 14-week-old
male fetus that was electively aborted in 1966. The WI-38 line was
derived from a female fetus that was aborted in 1964.
And there is Senomyx, the San Diego company that likely set
Sen. Shortey in motion. Senomyx uses the cell line HEK 293 to test
chemicals as possible flavor enhancers. Cell line HEK 293 was derived
from the kidney tissue of a boy aborted in the 1970s. HEK stands for
“Human Embryonic Kidney.” The HEK 293 line was subsequently genetically
engineered with viral DNA and is now available for sale from a common
chemical-supply company called SigmaAldrich. Senomyx is reported to have
contracts with giants like PepsiCo, Kraft and Nestle to test flavor
enhancers for their products.
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