What are Human Cell Lines?
Here are 4 examples, there are more:
HEK 293 cells (Human Embryonic Kidney) were taken from an aborted foetus in the 1970s in the Netherlands. (12) There are many different variants of HEK 293.
WI–38 cell line was developed in July 1962 from lung tissue taken from a therapeutically aborted foetus of about 3 months gestational age. (13)
MRC–5 (Medical Research Council cell strain 5) is a diploid human cell culture line composed of fibroblasts, originally developed from research deriving lung tissue of a 14-week-old aborted Caucasian male foetus. (14)
PER c6 created from retinal tissue of 18-week gestation aborted foetus. Developed in 1985, PER C6 is the growth medium for a wide variety of human disease-causing viruses. (15)
Companies that use HEK293, WI-38, MRC-5 & PER c6
HEK293 Senomyx (Firmenich)
Sweetmyx S617 made by Senomyx is now owned by Global Swiss firm Firmenich who make fragrances and flavours, (5). Firmenich bought Senomyx in 2018. Senomyx was previously listed on the NASDAQ. (6)
Firmenich has 10,000 employees and sales revenues of around $4.3bn.
Senomyx caused a stir when it was realised its range of products like Sweetmyx S617 contained and used human aborted foetus cells in its production.
Taste Receptor Type 1 Member, (TAS1R1, TAS1R2, & TAS1R3) are proteins that are encoded in the TAS1R1, TAS1R2 & TAS1R3 genes in humans. (8)
The process also uses cloned rodent cells in production. (mice mT1R3 & rat rT1R3)
These are the cells that recognise sweetness (9) in foods and drink, such as sucrose, saccharin, dulcin and acesulfame-K.
Senomyx owns the Patent for this technology, application number: 200802214784 (2008-09-04). (7)
In this patent is shows the use of human foetal cells in the production of TAS1R1, TAS1R2, & TAS1R3. In a different section, the patent also shows the use of mouse and rat cells.
‘Sweetmyx S617 is one of the food industry’s answers to our nation’s unhealthy obsession with sugar. The artificial ingredient, one of several similar additives developed by Senomyx, helps food and beverage companies reduce the calorie content of their products by amplifying the sweetness of sugar and other sweeteners’(10) (11)
These were Senomyx brands: Complimyx ®, Sweetmyx ®, Savorymyx ®, and Bittermyx ®
Senomyx has no website that I could find.
Firmenich have rebranded above Senomyx products, in their TasteGEM range: TasteGEM™, SweetGEM™, SucralGEM™, SucroGEM™.
These are called taste modulators or taste enhancers.
Below is Firmenich’s blurb, sounds pretty much the same as Senomyx’s statement above. I think since the controversies about the use of foetal cells, they have rebranded their offerings.
The global increase of sugar consumption is resulting in a rise in health concerns such as obesity and diabetes. Firmenich provides flavour solutions to customers looking for new and innovative ways to address sugar issues – while still providing consumers with tasty products.
Firmenich’s TasteGEM® portfolio is our most advanced range of technical flavour solutions, designed to make healthier food and ensure beverages taste great.
Innovations from TasteGEM® enable our customers to reformulate their brands and create new products that meet consumer demand for healthier foods and beverages. Our newest TasteGEMs® provide solutions for a wide range of product categories including beverage, dairy, sweet and savoury. TasteGEM® provides comprehensive flavour solutions for restoring authentic taste using balanced flavour keys and tools that restore the sensory profile’ (14)
Below is a news video regarding Senomyx, notice how they don’t seem too concerned about eating human body parts.
Below image (left) is a section of Senomyx’s patent application showing the use of Human Cells (HEK293) to view full patent follow this link (15)
Below image (right) is Coke’s 10 year extension deal with Senomyx in 2010.
