Issue: Use of Human Cell Lines in the Development of Vaccines and Labelling Vaccines in Consumer Products
Issue: Use of Human Cell Lines in the development of Vaccines / Vaccine Labelling
Examples of Bill(s):
- TX SB 314. Relating to required labeling of certain products that contain or are derived from aborted human fetal tissue.
- TN HB 16. Food and Food Products – As introduced, prohibits the manufacture, sale, or delivery, holding, or offering for sale of any food that contains a vaccine or vaccine material unless the food labeling contains a conspicuous notification of the presence of the vaccine or vaccine material in the food.
Examples of Bill(s): The following bills were introduced in state houses during the 2023 legislative session.
- ID S 1018. Amends existing law to prohibit certain conduct regarding food that contains a vaccine or vaccine material and to provide an exception.
- TX SB 314. Relating to required labeling of certain products that contain or are derived from aborted human fetal tissue.
- TN HB 16 Food and Food Products – As introduced, prohibits the manufacture, sale, or delivery, holding, or offering for sale of any food that contains a vaccine or vaccine material unless the food labeling contains a conspicuous notification of the presence of the vaccine or vaccine material in the food.
What It Means:
- These bills would require states to create or amend information on vaccine ingredients, often with the intent of disclosing whether human cell strains were used in the development of vaccines. The goal is to raise ethical concerns around lifesaving vaccines (including rubella, chickenpox, and rabies), and in some cases tie vaccines to debate around a women’s right to choose.
Key Talking Points:
- This legislation is misleading. Vaccines that people receive do not contain human cells or DNA. Certain lifesaving vaccines utilized human cell lines in the early development process.1 There are two cells lines which were established in the 1960s. Since then, they have grown independently in the laboratory.2 No new cells lines have been used in the development of vaccines.
- In other words, the cells used for development of vaccines today were NEVER part of a person.
- Utilizing human cells lines is not unique only to vaccine development. The same basic science is used for advancement of many common medications and treatments. This includes over-the-counter medications (Ibuprofen, cold medicine, and antacids), and disease treatments (vision loss, Parkinson’s Disease, Huntington’s Disease, juvenile diabetes, cancer and HIV).
- Vaccines save lives. Vaccines have prevented nearly 11 million deaths and prevented (or treated, in the example of rabies) 4.5 billion cases of disease.
- Vaccines are widely supported by major religions. This legislation seeks to raise ethical or religious concerns about vaccination ingredients, but no major religion objects to vaccines. In fact, many religious communities and organizations encourage vaccination, including those made with human cell lines, because they protect our communities against contagious diseases.3
- This legislation already exists. Requiring states to create or amend information on vaccine ingredients is unnecessary because Federal Regulations already approve and provide guidance around labeling and prescribing information.
- This is an unfunded mandate. Spending time on this legislation wastes state time and taxpayer money for provisions that already exist.
Bottom Line:
- Vaccines not only protect oneself, but families, neighbors, and communities. They are especially important for children, older adults, for those who are immunocompromised, and those who may not be able to get vaccinated.
- Vaccinations protect individuals from severe illness, hospitalization and death and have helped Americans get back to work and to our daily lives.
- We should work together to encourage all individuals to receive all recommended vaccines.
We urge legislators to vote no on any bills that require states to create or amend information on vaccine ingredients.