Vaccines Print Do Vaccines Contain Aborted Fetal Tissue? By Lisa Jo Rudy facebook twitter linkedin Lisa Jo Rudy, MDiv, is a writer, advocate, author, and consultant specializing in the field of autism. Learn about our editorial process Lisa Jo Rudy Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Jonathan B. Jassey, DO on November 10, 2019 facebook Jonathan B. Jassey, DO, is board-certified in pediatrics. He has been in private practice at Bellmore Merrick Medical in New York since 2007 and is the co-author of "The Newborn Sleep Book." Learn about our Medical Review Board Jonathan B. Jassey, DO Updated on April 02, 2020 More in Prevention & Treatment Vaccines Healthy Aging First Aid Occupational Therapy Holistic Health Surgery Several common vaccines are made by growing the necessary viruses in fetal embryo fibroblast cells. These cells originally came from tissue obtained from two fetuses that were legally and electively aborted in the early 1960s. The same cells have continued to grow in a laboratory and are still used to make vaccines today. No additional fetal cells have been harvested since then, but the topic is controversial because of the original source. The vaccines that grow in these fetal cells include: Varicella (chickenpox)ShinglesHepatitis ARubella (what the "R" stands for in the MMR vaccine) History Fetal cells were originally used because viruses tend to grow better in cells from humans than from animals. Fetal cells do not divide as many times as other cell types, so they can be used for longer. In addition, because of the ability to maintain these cells at very low temperatures, such as in liquid nitrogen, scientists are able to continue using the same fetal cell lines that were originally isolated in the 1960s. Vaccine manufacturers obtain human cell lines from FDA-certified cell banks. After processing, very little, if any, of that tissue, remains in the vaccine. Concerns and Considerations Those concerned over the use of fetal cells for vaccine development may be so for a variety of reasons, some of which may relate to religious convictions and personal ethics. The Vatican has taken a stand on the issue. In 2017, the Vatican's Pontifical Academy for Life said that lack of vaccinations represents a serious health risk. They stated, "In the past, vaccines had been prepared using cells from aborted human fetuses, however currently used cell lines are very distant from the original abortions ... today it is no longer necessary to obtain cells from new voluntary abortions, and that the cell lines on which the vaccines are based in are derived solely from two fetuses originally aborted in the 1960’s." Indeed, the role of preventing deaths from these diseases has proven to be a significant one. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), immunizations prevent two to three million deaths worldwide every year, and 1.5 million more could be avoided if more people are vaccinated. This highlights the dangers posed to children by avoiding vaccines, which must also be considered. In the United Kingdom and the United States, some parents who have chosen not to vaccinate have seen their children develop measles. Measles is a very contagious and potentially dangerous disease that had, until recently, been all but eradicated in technologically advanced countries—due to vaccinations. How to Talk to a Vaccine Skeptic Those concerned about the use of aborted fetuses in the development of vaccinations support alternative vaccines that have been prepared using animal (as opposed to human) tissues and cells. In some cases, such alternative vaccinations are already available. If you want to learn more about the alternatives or have specific concerns, contact your pediatrician for further information. Vaccines Doctor Discussion Guide Get our printable guide for your next doctor's appointment to help you ask the right questions. Download PDF Email the Guide Send to yourself or a loved one. Sign Up This Doctor Discussion Guide has been sent to {{form.email}}. There was an error. Please try again. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit Article Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Congressional Research Service. Human Fetal Tissue Research: Frequently Asked Questions. Updated August 8, 2019 Potifical Academy for Life. Note on Italian vaccine issue. Updated July 21, 2017. World Health Organization. Immunization. Updated July 18, 2019. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Measles elimination. Last reviewed October 4, 2019 Criscuolo E, Caputo V, Diotti RA, Sautto GA, Kirchenbaum GA, Clementi N. Alternative methods of vaccine delivery: an overview of edible and intradermal vaccines. J Immunol Res. 2019. doi:2019/8303648 Additional Reading "Vaccine Ingredients: Fetal Tissues." Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. Binkley, Collin, "Scientists say fetal tissue remains essential for vaccines and developing treatments." Associated Press. Food and Drug Administration. Characterization and Qualification of Cell Substrates and Other Biological Materials Used in the Production of Viral Vaccines for Infectious Disease Indications. 2010. Neporent, Liz. "What Aborted Fetal Tissue Has to Do with Vaccines." ABC News.