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The experimental antibody cocktail-based treatment that Donald Trump received that he called a “cure” for COVID-19 was developed by cells originally derived from fetal tissue, a practice that his own government has decided to restrict, revealed the The New York Times.
In June 2019, the Trump administration suspended funding for most new scientific research involving fetal tissue derived from abortions.
“Promoting the dignity of human life from conception to natural death is one of the top priorities of the Trump administration.”the Department of Health and Human Services said in a statement released at the time.
“Research that requires a new acquisition of fetal tissue from elective (non-spontaneous) abortions will not be authorized”the statement added.
Donald Trump received the Regeneron monoclonal antibody cocktail last week. Basically, they treat antibodies synthesized in living cells and administered to help the body fight infection.
To develop the antibodies, Regeneron relied on 293T, a cell line originally derived from the kidney tissue of an aborted fetus in the 1970s. At least two companies competing to produce coronavirus vaccines, Moderna and AstraZeneca, are also using this. Cellphone line.
Remdesivir, an antiviral drug that Trump received, was also tested on these cells. “The 293Ts were used to test the ability of antibodies to neutralize the virus”Regeneron spokeswoman Alexandra Bowie said: “They were not used in any other way, and fetal tissue was not used directly in the research.”
These cells from the fetus were “grown” in the laboratory and divided, forming new cells. These new cells were used by Regeneron to “test the ability of antibodies to neutralize the virus,” Bowie explained.
In a video posted Wednesday, Trump praised Regeneron’s treatment, calling it a “cure” for Covid-19 and vowing to provide it free of charge to any patient in need. The company said Wednesday that it had applied to the Food and Drug Administration for an authorization for emergency use.
The scientists noted that the tests with the antibody cocktail are far from complete and that Trump is taking a variety of drugs that may have explained his improvements.
Anthony S. Fauci, the nation’s leading infectious disease expert, said Trump may be right in saying that the treatment he received helped him in his fight against Covid-19, but cautions that the president’s case alone does not will do. prove it.
“I think there is a reasonably good chance that the antibody he received, the Regeneron antibody, made a significant difference in a positive way.”said Fauci, who is not involved in the president’s care, during an interview on MSNBC.
In July, the International Society for Stem Cell Research sent a letter to the Human Fetal Tissue Research Advisory Council of the National Institutes of Health, urging the council to allow fetal tissue to be used to develop treatments for Covid-19 and others. diseases.
“Fetal tissue has unique and valuable properties that often cannot be replaced by other types of cells.”, referred to the letter.
In August, the council rejected 13 of the 14 proposals that involved fetal tissue. The approved proposal already had fabric purchased.
