Just when I thought that the myths about stem cells, particularly embryonic stem cells, couldn’t get any more fantastic (as in based on fantasy), we have some bright folks out there thinking that soda (pop, coke, pepsi, whatever you call it) is made using embryonic stem cells.
The headline goes: Pepsi is using embryonic stem cells to make better sodas.
While it is true that the enormous corporation that is Pepsi contributes relatively small amounts of money to study the effects of sugar and possible sugar substitutes on cells, the cells involved are in fact not stem cells. They are in reality a human kidney cell line used by thousands of labs around the world.
There is no real connection between Pepsi and embryonic stem cell research that I know of, although even if there was, I see that as no reason to boycott Pepsi.
But even so now reportedly we have a Republican, Ralph Shortey, from Oklahoma introducing a bill that would prohibit making or selling food products that use aborted human fetuses and reportedly the Pepsi stem cell myth is his inspiration.
No I’m not making this up. In fact, there is a very real boycott of Pepsi underway because of this myth.
For reference, the University of Michigan has an excellent website on stem cell myths.
I don’t know…Sounds like the end product would be that viscious south of the border aloe vera drink my youngest kid likes but no one else in the house will touch. Good grief, could it be his medical history and subsequent transplant has given him an fondness for such…? Oh my, this must be that “slippery slope” Prentice refers too. LOL
It is difficult to continue battling complete idiots while we try to make real progress towards curing diseases. I sometime wonder about our stubbornness. Tilting windmills when we actually know they are windmills.
Good points, Jim! Sometimes by pointing out myths we simply draw more attention to them, but on the other hand I feel a need to try to correct misinformation. Sometimes it is not so clear which is the best course of action.
You are right. We have to keep correcting the misinformation. I do the same, but sometimes the depth of the well of ignorance and the refusal to accept facts is depressing.