Children of God for Life (COGFL) announced today that PepsiCo will no longer use aborted fetal cell lines in their agreement with Senomyx to develop flavor enhancers for their products.
COGFL called for a boycott of PepsiCo last May, and the Pro-Life Action League signed on immediately.
Clearly, PepsiCo’s decision to stop using aborted fetal cell lines was in response to the thousands of complaints lodged by pro-lifers in the past year.
Via LifeSite:
“We are absolutely thrilled with PepsiCo’s decision,” stated [COGFL Executive Director Debbie] Vinnedge. “They have listened to their customers and have made both a wise and profound statement of corporate integrity that deserves the utmost respect, admiration and support of the public.”
In speaking with [PepsiCo VP of Global Public Policy Paul] Boykas, Vinnedge noted that the company had conducted internal discussions, recognizing it was a highly sensitive and controversial subject that quite frankly, was not in the best interests of PepsiCo.
“We took the matter very seriously,” stated Mr. Boykas. “We have an official Statement on Responsible Research and we intend to live by that policy.”
That policy precludes any research by PepsiCo – or third parties they fund – from using human tissue or cell lines derived from embryos or fetuses. …
Senomyx receives royalties for products sold using their ingredients. If they do not use aborted fetal cell lines, they offend no one; if they do, they most certainly offend at least half of US consumers who are prolife. But Children of God for Life also heard from a number of women who stated they were pro choice yet this use of aborted fetal cell lines, crossed the line and angered them as well.
“If for no other reason, it only makes financial sense for both Senomyx and their collaborators to avoid a substantial loss of potential market,” Vinnedge said. “Senomyx needs to stop using the aborted fetal cell lines entirely and we will continue to pressure them to do so.”
Vinnedge is strongly encouraging the public to take one more important step: write to PepsiCo and thank them – and then go buy your favorite Pepsi products to celebrate!
“Too often we seem to focus on the negatives and forget to take the time to let others know we appreciate their efforts”, stated Vinnedge. “It is our sincere hope that the public will once again rise to the occasion en masse as they did in the boycott – but this time in appreciation and support of PepsiCo.”
Read the whole thing here.
