Regeneron Drug is Developed From Fetal Tissue
The Claim
One of the many experimental treatments given to President Donald Trump as he fought COVID-19, made by the company Regeneron, was developed in some way from the use of fetal tissue.
Emerging story
Following Trump’s positive diagnosis for COVID-19 on October 1st, 2020, rumors began to circulate about his treatment. When it was revealed that he was receiving Regeneron’s REGN-COV2 antibody cocktail as one of the many experimental drugs given to him, many social media users began to share commentary suggesting that this medication was in some way developed with or through use of “fetal tissue”. The posts were largely shared by left-leaning users and political pundits who often painted the President as hypocritical in the context of his stance on abortion and the use of fetal tissue for medicial research.
Misbar’s Analysis
Misbar’s investigation has determined that the claim is true. The reason for this is not because the antibody cocktail contained aborted fetal tissue or actual stem cells, but because it was developed through the use of those sorts of cells as a research tool. As confirmed by the Washington Post, the REGN-COV2 antibody cocktail was produced originally from the blood of a recovered COVID patient and the cells of a genetically modified mouse. These antibodies were then tested against a replica of COVID-19 that was present in what is called a “cell line,” meant to simulate the virus' effect on the human body.
A cell line is a cache of cells that is cultivated and harvested indefinitely, typically for the purpose of scientific research such as in the study of viruses. They are initially taken from the tissue of a person or animal, and so will always retain the same genetic makeup (but diminish in potency over time). The cell lines in question with regard to the development of REGN-COV2, known as HEK-293T, were originally produced from an adaptation made at Stanford University in the 1980s of an original cell line made from human fetal tissue in the Netherlands in the 1970s. This particular cell line is very commonplace in viral medicine research, and is known to have been fundamental to the foundation of several noteworthy therapy programs.
Additionally, according to Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. itself, the company maintains a strictly pro-stem cell research position that they further outlined in a recently released statement on the matter. In it they explained their “commitment to operating thoughtfully and ethically, particularly while navigating these complex issues specific to the biopharmaceutical industry” goes hand in hand with their desire to “strive to stay on the forefront of responsible scientific innovation to continue making a difference in patients’ lives.” As such, the very success of the company itself could be argued to be as a result of Stem Cell research, among many other innovations in medicine and bio-technology.
While the REGN-COV2 antibody cocktail is still in the final stages of its clinical trials, so there’s no way of knowing if it will become available for all American citizens or if it will even receive FDA approval, it is showing remarkable success. Its effectiveness is likely the reason President Trump received special “compassionate use” permission to use it--like only 10 other American citizens. All of whom, and those who have taken part in the Regeneron trials, could then be said to have benefitted from the use of aborted fetal tissue for the purposes of scientific research.
