|
Senomyx and Partners – All the Proof You Need
Since issuing our
first press release on March
29, 2011 regarding the work of Senomyx using aborted fetal cell lines
to produce artificial flavor enhancers for several major food giants, the public
has responded to these companies with letters and phone calls expressing their
concern, shock and utter disgust. Unfortunately, both Senomyx and their
partners have been less than honest in their responses to the public, causing
even further confusion to the public, even to the point of convincing some that
its simply not true. We have compiled the following information to help
you in your boycott and letter writing efforts in order to ensure this
undeniable truth is no longer kept hidden from the public.
So let's start
right out with the undisputable fact that aborted fetal cell lines are indeed
being used by Senomyx in the research and development of artificial flavor
enhancers.
I. List of their
patents
Senomyx has 77 patents on file with the US Patent office, 70 of which cite their
use of HEK (human embryonic kidney) cells. See:
http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-adv.htm&r=0&p=1&f=S&l=50&Query=Senomyx&d=PTXT
Because this is often too
technical to sort through or understand by anyone who is not a biochemist,
following is a citation from one of their “umani” or savory taste receptors:
Patent: 7,906,328, March 15, 2011 "Cell lines that express hetero oligomeric
taste receptors."
http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-adv.htm&r=10&p=1&f=G&l=50&d=PTXT&S1=Senomyx&OS=Senomyx&RS=Senomyx
".....Generation of Cell
Lines that Inducibly Co-Express T1R1/T1R3 which Selectively Respond to Umami
Taste Stimuli
T1R1/T1R3 HEK 293 cell lines
that stably expressed the umami taste receptor display robust improved activity
relative to transiently transfected cites. However, a disadvantage is that they
can rapidly lose activity during cell propagation. …To overcome the instability
of the T1R1/T1R3 stable cell lines, the HEK-G.sub..alpha.15 cells have been
engineered to inducibly express T1R1/T1R3 using the GeneSwitch system (Invitrogen).
pGene-derived zeocin-resistant expression vectors for human T1R1 and T1R3
(plasmid SXV603 for T1R1 and SXV611 for T1R3) and a puromycin-resistant pSwitch-derived
vector that carries the GeneSwitch protein (plasmid SXV628) were linearized and
cotransfected into the HEK-G.sub..alpha.15 cell line. Zeocin-resistant and
puromycin-resistant colonies were selected expanded induced with variable
amounts of mifepristone, and tested by calcium imaging for responses to umami
taste stimuli. .."
Note the use of mifepristone,
better known as RU-486 to help stabilize the cells. If the HEK was an actual
product ingredient not only would it be literal cannibalism, the human ingestion
of aborted fetal cell lines modified by the abortifacient RU-486 would present
huge safety concerns as well. Click here
for further information on the aborted fetal cell line
HEK-293
II. Fact vs Fiction
There have been numerous misconceptions on the aborted fetal cell lines,
their source and exactly how Senomyx is using them. Here are just that both
consumers and we have been hearing:
Fiction:
Aborted fetal cell lines are in food products.
Fact:
They are not in the final product consumed by the public. Instead they are used
in the research and development of the artificial flavor enhancers. These
aborted fetal cells possess proteins that express taste receptors which produce
a chemical signal that lets Senomyx researchers know they have achieved the
exact flavor they are trying to develop.
Fiction:
These human fetal cells are the only ones that could be used to discover
better tasting foods.
Fact:
There are numerous types of morally acceptable cells that could be used,
including Chinese Hamster ovary, morally obtained human cells and – as Senomyx
notes in many of their patents – even insect cells work just fine.
Fiction:
These embryonic stem cell lines are not related to abortion in any way since
they are really only descendent cells of those from the original aborted baby’s
kidney 30 years ago.
Fact:
Whether a cell line is taken from an abortion done today, yesterday, a year
ago or 30 years ago makes no difference. It is still a human cell line, fetal in
character with complete DNA intact from the original aborted child. Anything
less would render it useless for human applications. It is also not an embryonic
stem cell. It is fetal age kidney cells, that is, it was derived from an aborted
baby beyond 8 weeks gestation. Morally, it makes no difference whether or not an
abortion was done 30 years ago or today either. Time does not diminish the
original act of evil, nor does it lessen the culpability those who knowingly and
willingly utilize the remains of aborted children for profit.
III. List of Senomyx partners
Senomyx lists those who are in collaboration with their efforts:
http://senomyx.com/collaborations/
UPDATE: ALL COMPANY PARTNERS AND COLLABORATORS WERE REMOVED FROM THE
SENOMYX WEBSITE IN JULY 2011- BUT THEY MISSED THIS ONE:
http://phx.corporate-ir.net/External.File?item=UGFyZW50SUQ9OTYxMDJ8Q2hpbGRJRD0tMXxUeXBlPTM=&t=1
Just in case they decide to take this down too, we did a webpage snapshot of the
document:
http://www.cogforlife.org/senomyxPartnerProof.pdf
(Or just do a google search for their financial press releases with the secular
media)
Originally posted under
Partners and Collaborators:
“Senomyx is collaborating with leading global food, beverage, and ingredient
supply companies to develop and commercialize our flavor ingredients. We have
entered into exclusive or co-exclusive product discovery and development
collaborations with Ajinomoto Co. Inc.; Cadbury Adams USA LLC, a unit of Kraft
Foods Inc.; Firmenich SA; Nestlé SA; PepsiCo; and Solae”
“Sweet” Deal for Senomyx
“Our collaborators are responsible for manufacturing, marketing, selling, and
distributing their foods, beverages, or ingredient supplies that include Senomyx
ingredients. This arrangement allows Senomyx to benefit from our partners'
prominent brand recognition, global market presence, established sales and
distribution channels, and other industry-specific expertise. Through our
collaboration agreements, we have received and expect to continue to receive a
combination of upfront license fee payments, research and development funding,
and milestone payments. In addition, Senomyx will receive royalties from the
sales of our collaborators' products that contain our flavor ingredients. These
royalty payments will continue through the lifetime of patents covering the
Senomyx ingredients incorporated into the products, allowing us to participate
in the revenue generated as our collaborators sell their products, grow their
sales, and establish new markets.”
IV. Partners’ Admission and
Deception
Following are excerpts from the letters we and thousands of consumers have
received from Senomyx and their partners. You will notice a gross deception on
their part – yet they never deny the collaboration with Senomyx. It is important
to remember: We have never said that the aborted fetal cell lines are IN the
final product – just that we object to using them for the research and
development. And since the collaborators are funding the actual research and
development, they bear responsibility with Senomyx to ensure that morally
acceptable methods are used.
When we originally wrote to
Senomyx in 2010, warning them of our intended actions, they ignored us until we
did our first press release. Since then, they continue to respond to the public
as follows:
Senomyx Responds to our first
press release:
"This information you referenced is NOT correct. It would be illegal and
unethical to use human cells of any kind in food products. I hope this is
helpful for you. We appreciate your concern."
When confronted with the actual
facts of how they are using the aborted fetal cell lines, Senomyx does not
respond to consumers, nor to CBS
news interviews.
Solae Responds:
"This letter is to inform you that Solae does not currently have an active
relationship with Senomyx nor do we have any plans for one in the future at this
time. Our recent recognition by the Ethisphere Institute as one of the “World’s
Most Ethical” companies for the second year in a row signifies how seriously we
take ethical business practices both at Solae and with our collaborative
partners. While we cannot speak to what Senomyx may or may not be doing to test
food flavor enhancers, we can confirm that we are not involved in this for our
products.”
The facts speak for themselves
as one bright consumer noted in response:
“Thank you for taking the
time to write to us regarding your affiliation with Senomyx. Please see their
website at
http://senomyx.com/collaborations/
- where they list Solae as a "collaborator". They also list you
under their partnerships -
http://senomyx.com/collaborations/partnerships.htm
I am very concerned that Senomyx would misrepresent itself to investors and the
public in general, especially if it means harm in any way to your company name.
You may want to contact their management to get this resolved with them.”
To date, Solae has not
responded, nor have they been removed from Senomyx list as Campbell Soup was
after they severed ties. Is Solae being honest? You decide.
Nestlé Response: Via US Mail
Nestle 1,
Nestle 2,
Nestle 3
Each of the above letters are a progression of deception on the part of Nestle.
After our first press release, Nestle responded in a series of emails in which
the smart consumer held their feet to the fire!
"Thanks for your email re
Nestle and Senomyx. You are misinformed. Senomyx is not a supplier to Nestle.
The media isn't the gospel. It's just the media." - Roddy Child-Villiers, Nestlé
Consumer Responds:
"Roddy,
They didn't say that Senomyx is a "supplier" to Nestle (which is how you phrased
it). They've stated that Synomex does TESTING for Nestle. Are you denying that
Nestle has any current involvement with Senomyx? Are you also denying that
Nestle has, at least until recently, had involvement with Senomyx?"
Nestlé Responds:
"Sir, again you are mistaken. I am sorry that you chose to believe your
anonymous organization over Nestle. We do not have a relationship with Senomyx/synomex.
If they were doing testing for us, they would be a supplier of services to us.
Since I evidently have no credibility with you, I have nothing further to say."
Roddy Child-Villiers, Nestlé
Consumer Responds
"Dear Roddy,
Please view the letter from Nestle available at this URL:
http://www.cogforlife.org/nestle3.pdf
There, you will see a
letter from Nestle acknowledging the relationship between Nestle and Synomex.
What is your response to this?"
Nestlé Responds – and finally
admits the truth:
"Apologies, I work on the basis that when I source info from colleagues it is
correct/true. I am livid that this apparently isn't. As I said, I'll revert
tomorrow." Roddy Child-Villiers, Nestlé
Kraft/Cadbury Adams LLC
Responds:
"Thank you for taking the time to contact Kraft Foods. I understand and
appreciate your concerns regarding Kraft and its affiliation with Senomyx. Our
highest priority is the safety and quality of our products and the safety of our
consumers. All of the flavors we use are approved and deemed safe for food use
by regulatory agencies, including the FDA. Our collaboration with Senomyx is to
discover novel ingredients that positively impact food flavors, similar to what
already is being widely used in foods and beverages today." Kim McMiller,
Associate Director, Consumer Relations
PepsiCo Responds:
Response via US Mail prior to our first press release:
http://cogforlife.org/pepsiresponse.pdf
“We hope you are reassured to learn that our collaboration with Senomyx is
strictly limited to creating lower-calorie, great-tasting beverages for
consumers. This will help us achieve our commitment to reduce added sugar per
serving by 25% in key brands in key markets over the next decade and ultimately
help people live healthier lives.”
Response after March 29 Press
Release:
http://cogforlife.org/senomyxpartnersrespond.htm
“Unfortunately, there is some misinformation being circulated related to
research techniques that have been used for decades by universities, hospitals,
government agencies, and private companies around the world. These claims are
meant to suggest that human fetal tissue is somehow used in our research. That
is both inaccurate and something we would never do or even consider. It also is
inaccurate to suggest that tissue or cells somehow are being used as product
ingredients. That’s dangerous, unethical and against the law. Every ingredient
in every one of our products is reviewed and approved for use by the U.S. Food
and Drug Administration.”
PepsiCo Response when
confronted with fact:
“Thank you for your additional reply and for sharing your sincere feelings
regarding this topic. Please know that I will forward your sentiments to our
senior management team to be sure that they fully understand your position."
PepsiCo Response after
official boycott begins:
“With respect to the flavor discovery research with Senomyx, we utilize
techniques that have been the gold standard for several decades by top
universities, hospitals, U.S. government agencies, and essentially every
pharmaceutical and biotech company in the world. Yet, there is some
misinformation being circulated meant to distort what we’re doing and question
our motives and those of other companies. This is unfortunate, and it is
certainly not reflective of the work we are doing.”
What none of these companies
seem to understand is how deeply their actions offend the moral sensibilities of
the public. As noted on our PepsiCo Boycott flyer:
www.cogforlife.org/pepsiflyer.pdf
Well
we have a message for PepsiCo. We who are pro-life have a “gold standard” too.
And that means we defend the sanctity of all human life including respect for
the remains of innocent aborted babies which PepsiCo is exploiting for profit.”
Beware Nestlé, Solae and Cadbury Adams LLC: You are next in line for an official
public boycott of your products unless you convince Senomyx to change their
methods or sever your ties with them completely.
| 
