2006D-0383
  

  
 Characterization and Qualification of Cell Substrates and Other Biological Starting Materials Used in the Production of Viral Vaccines for the Prevention and Treatment of Infectious Diseases

  


  

  

  


  

  


  

  


  

  


  

  


  

  
FDA Comment Number : 
  

  
EC3050
  



  

  
Submitter : 
  

  
Ms. C Pless
  

  
Date & Time: 
  

  
12/12/2006 09:12:25
  



  

  
Organization : 
  

  
Ms. C Pless
  



  

  
Category : 
  

  
Individual Consumer
  



  

  
Issue Areas/Comments 
  


  

  


  

  
GENERAL
  


  

  



  

  
GENERAL
  


  

  



  

  
 I am writing to express my support for adult stem cell research and my opposition to unethical research involving aborted fetuses, fetal tissue, and embryonic stem cells, including, but not limited to, the production of viral vaccines.

  

The fundamental answer to the need for medical research in disease prevention, and the obligation of the FDA to the American public, is to support ethical research in the use of animal models or adult stem cells and tissues donated by consenting adults at the time of unaided death, and to enact a comprehensive ban on the use of all unethical forms of human life, including, but not limited to, the use of human fetuses and human embryonic stem cells.  Unlike embryonic stem cells, adult stem cells have already proven to be a promising area for research, and are currently being used to treat many diseases.  These cells can be obtained in a variety of ethical manners, such as harvesting umbilical cord blood, and do not involve the creation or destruction of any new human lives.  



Instead of allowing and supporting the unethical and highly speculative venture of fetal cell lines and embryonic stem cell research, the FDA should support research that has current medical applications that preserves and does not destroy lives.  In particular, I oppose the use of aborted fetal cell lines for current and future vaccine development, and I encourage the FDA to discover and promote the use of sources that are not morally objectionable.  Please make sure that the FDA does not support research that would involve human cloning or the destruction of human beings at the earliest stages of development.  I and my extended family support ethical scientific experimentation, and will boycott any company that utilizes aborted fetal cell lines and/or embryonic stem cells in their research.