The Charlotte Lozier Institute , the research arm of the Susan B. Anthony List, has issued a statement regarding abortion-derived cell lines used in the new Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 Vaccine.
The CLI’s statement said, “For many Americans, the approval of Johnson & Johnson’s vaccine raises renewed questions about the use of cells derived from elective abortions. Many leading vaccine candidates supported by Operation Warp Speed, including the approved vaccines produced by Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna, do not use abortion-derived cell lines in their production. Unlike the majority of those candidates, Johnson & Johnson does use these cell lines in the production process.”
CLI’s research found most of the vaccines developed in response to COVID-19 did not use abortion-derived cell lines. However, several used abortion-derived cell lines in testing, or their use in testing was undetermined.
The CLI has released a detailed chart on these vaccines to inform those concerned about the use of abortion-derived cell lines.
CLI stated regarding Johnson & Johnson’s vaccine, “These decisions are disappointing, given the availability of uncontroversial alternatives already in use.”
The statement added, “They create an unnecessary dilemma for countless people weighing their options – but every vaccine recipient deserves to know. CLI remains committed to providing timely and accurate information so that individuals and families can make well-informed decisions.”
For pro-life Americans, the news adds an ethical decision to taking the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine.
American Pastors Network President Sam Rohrer noted, “Based on objective analysis about this vaccine, what is known about this novel SARS-Co-V-2 experimental vaccination is disturbing.”
Some US bishops have already discouraged Catholics to not take the Johnson & Johnson vaccine if others are available:
“The approval of Johnson & Johnson’s COVID-19 vaccine for use in the United States again raises questions about the moral permissibility of using vaccines developed, tested, and/or produced with the help of abortion-derived cell lines.”
More information regarding the CLI’s statement and resources are available here.
