Pepsi This article's title is a bit misleading. Apparently Pepsi has been supporting the use of aborted fetal cells (the remains such as "human embryonic kidney", stated later in the article) to test the effectiveness of its various synthetic flavoring agents. However, it does not, as the article's title suggests, use the aborted fetal tissue in the final product sold to customers. While the article claims there are other more ethical ways "to evaluate how actual human taste receptors respond to these chemical flavorings" such as using viable, non-human alternatives which they apparently have access to, would this truly be a more ethical alternative? Yes it may be inhumane to use this aborted fetal tissue, but then again it is already going to waste and is not used in the final product (just playing devil's advocate--by no means do I support this), but would using a living being other than a human be anymore ethical, isn't that still cruel? Obviously I'm undecided Let me know what you think.
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I agree am a little undecided as well. Since they are already aborted, it is good that they are going to "good use" but they should not be going to extream to obtain these cells. This is very interesting. I can see both sides, but if I had to choose I would say that as long as they are doing it in a proper and responsible way this is ok. But again I don't know enough about it.
ReplyDeleteI agree that supporting or not supporting this issue is a hard decision to make. Even if they are being put to "good use", I feel that using aborted fetal cells to test various synthetic flavoring agents may be pushing it. By that, I mean that Pepsi's tests are relatively trivial in the grand scheme of the world, so such tests are unnecessary, in my opinion. I'm sure if you asked Pepsi's CEO, he/she would beg to differ.
DeleteI have no idea how I feel about this issue. Both Sebastian and Lauren bring up good points. I guess I agree that is is good that the cells are going to "good use" but I can't exactly wrap my mind around this topic in the first place. It is definitely interesting and something that I had no idea was done. I as well am undecided on this issue.
ReplyDeleteI find it absolutely vial that a company does this. Though I am very much so pro life and don't want to see any fetus aborted in the first place, this is taking it too far. I honestly don't think I'll be drinking Pepsi products for a while.. see how that affects them.
ReplyDeleteI agree, this is taking it too far. It's appalling and this shouldnt be considered a "good cause" for testing pepsi.
DeleteI agree with sam. This is appalling. I think a "good use" for those cells would be for a baby not for Pepsi testing.
ReplyDeleteI am undecided as well. I see it this way: I can understand why they are using the already aborted fetus' to do this and it isn't wasteful (terrible to say), but I also see it as inhumane. I don't drink soda at all really and if I do, it's Dr. pepper or Sierra Mist, but it does make me want to stay away from Pepsi knowing this. I agree with everyone at the same time. It is just an awkward subject to take sides on
ReplyDeleteThis is really weird. Is it really that hard to get a taste tester and find someway to do them. I am already sensitive about abortion, but like Sebastian said at least they're doing something. At the same time though testing soda isn't exactly the way I would like them used...seriously pepsi, taste testers...ever heard of them? They get insurance. Let the aborted cells go to medical research or something more practical.
ReplyDeleteI agree that this is flat-out a weird subject to take sides on. On the one hand, the use of aborted fetal cells is not wasteful, yet on the other hand, it just doesn't seem right to have to go this far for taste-testing a product.
ReplyDeleteThe odds of Pepsi actually using these aborted fetal cells are slim, because if this subject were to "blow-up" the company can be sure that this story would destroy the company's sales. Overall, the topic grosses me out and gives me all the more reasons to stay away from soda.
ReplyDeleteI couldn't agree with Kate more. I find this confusing, but it does seem a bit extreme.
ReplyDeleteI agree that this is a weird topic to think about but I believe its a scientific use of cells that are available. If cells were available I think personally I would use them... I think the real controversy is pro-life,pro-choice.
ReplyDeleteWhile the topic itself creeps me out, in general I think putting already aborted cells to scientific uses is ethical. Using them for testing Pepsi, however, seems unnecessary.
ReplyDeleteWhile the topic itself creeps me out, in general I think putting already aborted cells to scientific uses is ethical. Using them for testing Pepsi, however, seems unnecessary.
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