Is this a Mis-Use Abuse of Stem Cells?

[Jennifer and Jack]

 http://www.lifesite.net/news/obama-agency-rules-pepsi-use-of-aborte...

Where is the line going to be drawn? Who is to say what is ethical and what is not?  I have my opinion my beliefs and my value system....that I know what I think... how about you? How do you feel about cells being used to advance taste of a Pepsi product?,

[F, Calla & Luca]

I don't want to get in on the ethical question here because it is such a hot button issue and I do believe everyone is entitled to an opinion. My question is HTD (how the doodle) are they using the cells to produce flavor enhancers? I'd like to see more explanations.

[Jennifer and Jack]

I don't know either.. I am so confused.... I am going to research more....

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

All I can contribute is HUH? And whether we agree to stem cell use for research or not, perhaps, we could agree on a priority of importance if  used in research.  This would be at the bottom of my list. I am glad I don't have Pepsi stock because if I did, I guess it would mean that the company I held stock in thought my money might be good, but not my brain....

[Jennifer and Jack]

Agreed,  That would never ever be on my list ever.. I still don't under stand it... I am going to research more... I think it is weird.. and what would a stem cell do to enhance flavor, I was hoping someone would be able to explain it to me.

[F, Calla & Luca]

I just glanced briefly at some more articles. The stem cells do nothing to enhance flavor. The are using the stem cells for some testing involving chemicals they want to use in soda. The stem cells themselves will not be in the product of course nor will they produce anything that will be. I have no ethical problem with aborted stem cells being used for research, after all they would just be destroyed. If there is enough to go around, and I don't think that's an issue then there is no need to prioritize the kind of research. This is to say nothing about abortion itself, drinking soda or anything else for that matter.

[J and Riley (and Luna)]

The tone of the article is very harsh likely partly because of the website it's posted on - it seems to be a pro-life site, so it's unlikely to be an objective view of the situation.

From the comments section it seems as if they use stem cells that are from a stem cell "line" that has been reused many times for research.  I think cell lines (as opposed to always using freshly harvested cells) is a great use for cells of any kind.  You get the most "use" out of cells by keeping cell lines as stock that can be reproduced over and over. 

If I remember correctly there are some lines of cancer cells that have been around for 50+ years.

[F, Calla & Luca]

I am about, who knows when that is, to read The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks  which is about a woman whose cells were used, and may still be, in decades of research. I don't think they were stem cells though.

[Carol and Banjo]

They were cancer cells F.   I just read that book....excellent.....a little slow in some parts....but well worth reading.

[Jennifer and Jack]

Wow I may want to read that book too. That may be a good one for my trip.

[Carol and Banjo]

With your nursing background I'm sure you'd enjoy it Jen.

[J and Riley (and Luna)]

That's the cell line I was thinking about!  It's really widely used in research as a "standard" cell line.

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

If we start debating ethics we are going down a rocky road, if however we are debating priorities then I think it's much easier to state what we believe.  Personally I don't give two hoots about Pepsi but I do care about the many diseases that need research leading to cures.