Fetal Cell Lines Used in COVID-19 Vaccine

The COVID-19 vaccine stirred up quite a bit of controversy during the coronavirus pandemic. Some people were concerned with how quickly the vaccine was created, and others were upset to hear that fetal cell lines were used in the vaccine. 

This is a common practice that has been used in multiple, globally successful vaccinations and medications such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and aspirin. The fetal cells used in the development of the COVID-19 vaccination were grown in a laboratory and were collected from abortions that took place over thirty years ago. This means that there is no original aborted fetus tissue found in this vaccine, only copies of the cells from decades ago. 

The use of fetal cell lines in COVID-19 vaccinations led to hesitation from the public to receive the vaccine, a large increase in religious exemptions from having to get the vaccine, and a lot of misunderstanding of the science being spread among the media. 

Ethical considerations were majorly discussed and people were concerned with how the fetal cell lines were obtained. Hesitation stemmed from those who thought that fetuses were being aborted solely for the purpose of using their cells for research and those against abortion in general.

Despite the controversy, fetal cells have been critical in drug development and the public health effort because they allow scientists to see if the immune system of the cells will recognize the pathogen being tested. In addition, fetal cell lines have helped ensure that those who receive the vaccine properly respond to it, if the pathogen ever enters their system. 

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“Covid-19 Vaccines & Fetal Cells.” Michigan Department of Health & Human Services, 1 May 2023, www.michigan.gov/-/media/Project/Websites/coronavirus/Folder17/COVID-19_Vaccines_and_Fetal_Cells_031921.pdf?rev=f17a9a9a8f57418898595d96b519b6fa.

Runwal, Priyanka. “Here Are the Facts about Fetal Cell Lines and Covid-19 Vaccines.” Science, 19 Nov. 2021, www.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/here-are-the-facts-about-fetal-cell-lines-and-covid-19-vaccines.  

Zimmerman, Richard K. “Helping Patients with Ethical Concerns about COVID-19 Vaccines in Light of Fetal Cell Lines Used in Some COVID-19 Vaccines.” Vaccine, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 13 July 2021, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8205255/#:~:text=%E2%80%9CIt%20is%20morally%20acceptable%20to,their%20research%20and%20production%20process.