Senomyx & PepsiCo: You Can Run but You Can't Hide
by Staff
July 18, 2011
LARGO, Fla., (christiansunite.com) -- Children of God for Life announced today that Senomyx is attempting to hide their partners and collaborators names by removing them from their website. Public backlash has apparently caused much consternation for the biomedical firm that has ignored consumer complaints and continues to use HEK-293 (human embryonic kidney) cells in the research and development of artificial flavor enhancers.In a recent response to customer letters, PepsiCo noted, "With respect to the flavor discovery research with Senomyx, we utilize techniques that have been the gold standard for several decades..." a statement that only further inflamed the public's moral concerns.
"If this 'gold standard' is no big deal, then why are they trying so hard to hide the truth?" asked Children of God for Life's Executive Director, Debi Vinnedge. "PepsiCo and Senomyx have done everything in their power to trivialize what they are doing, when in fact what they are doing is only further damaging their public image."
Vinnedge says she wrote to all Board Members of PepsiCo in late June noting their responsibility to protect shareholders interests and cautioned that further action would be taken if nothing is done. Since PepsiCo is funding the research and development and will pay royalties to Senomyx for product sales, they have the ability to change the technology being utilized. Board members have not yet responded.
"As we noted in our PepsiCo Board letter, consumers find it repulsive to associate aborted fetal kidney material with something they are about to drink," stated Ms. Vinnedge. "We believe consumers have a right to know and choose other products."
In several previous press releases, Children of God for Life has called on all Senomyx partners to either end their affiliation with Senomyx or persuade them to use morally obtained cell lines, several of which are listed as viable alternatives in their own patents.
The group is asking the public to continue their boycott efforts and have produced a one page flyer that can be downloaded and distributed at www.cogforlife.org/pepsiflyer.pdf
"The boycott is working and if PepsiCo continues to ignore our requests, we will file a shareholder resolution," warned Vinnedge. Anyone who currently owns PespiCo stock and would like to join their effort is encouraged to contact the organization at www.cogforlife.org/pepsishareholder.htm
