Glaxo SmithKline To Use MRC-5 In Polio Vaccine – Our Response

Children of God for Life

2130 Catalina Drive

Clearwater , Fl.  33764

(727) 538-5558

November 24, 2003

Chris Viehbacher, President, Pharmaceuticals

Glaxo SmithKline 1 Franklin Plaza
P.O. Box 7929

Philadelphia , PA   19101

Dear Mr. Viehbacher,

On behalf of over 500,000 supporters in the Campaign for Ethical Vaccines which seeks to end the use of aborted fetal tissue in the production of existing and future medical products, I am writing to ask you to reconsider your decision to use MRC-5 as the cell substrate for your polio vaccine (OPV).

We know it is unnecessary to use this cell line and in doing so, your company image portrays a lack of concern for the sanctity and dignity of human life. And while we understand the need for new and effective treatments for infectious disease, such products should only be developed using the highest ethical standards.

Mr. Viehbacher, Children of God for Life believes that no one should have to compromise their moral or religious beliefs in order to protect their families. And as it stands today, hundreds of thousands of parents world-wide are refusing to use vaccines that utilize aborted fetal tissue. Where there are alternatives, those vaccines are becoming the product of choice and Children of God for Life is actively promoting them.  If you use MRC-5 when there is a perfectly ethical alternative, made by Aventis Pasteur, a large number of people will refuse your vaccine.  It  simply doesn’t make good business sense, especially when you consider that as the pro-life community learns of your practice, an immediate boycott of all GSK products will commence both nationwide and abroad.

Please commit your utmost attention to this matter. If not for the sake of our American society, you owe this at least to your shareholders who we guarantee will not be receiving as large a return on their investment as they might have hoped.  Our supporters are willing to stand behind you if you make the right decision.  Please give serious consideration to our request.

Sincerely,

Debra L. Vinnedge

Executive Director

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