Hannalee Billings

Human Growth & Development

May 5th, 2014

Ethical and Cultural issues of Vaccinations

Epidemics like small pox and polio set fear into Americans and encouraged the scientists
of the time to find a solution and that was vaccines. By the late 1940s adults were first
starting to be told about the recommendations of vaccinations for their children (Offit, Paul
A., MD). But not every one was taking advantage of these attempts to prevent disease; even
today in the 21st century people are skeptical about the use of vaccinations. Several religious
groups are against vaccinations or certain types of vaccines and those who do not vaccinate
their children put others at risk.
Jehovahs Witnesses, up until the early 1950s, were strongly against vaccinations of any
kind. Their leader C.J. Woodworth believed that vaccinations caused animal blood cells to be
injected into humans (Robinson, B. A.). Which he regarded as equivalent to eating blood, an
act that is forbidden in the Old Testament. Recently leaders of the Jehovahs Witnesses have
allowed their followers to make an individual choice about the stance on whether or not to
vaccinate their children. Although this is an incredible and historic change in viewpoints,
there will still be a group of Jehovahs Witnesses that choose not to vaccinate based on these
beliefs.
Christians and several concerned parents are wary when it comes to vaccinations against
STIs (Sexually Transmitted Infections). Their view is that offering vaccinations for STIs
simply encourages sexual intercourse among adolescents, which goes against the Christian
faith of no premarital sex. One vaccination that has become under high controversy is the
HPV vaccine, which is said to protect young females, and recently young males, against the
human-papillomavirus. The controversy stems from the fact that there seems to be a cultural
assimilation, which is when a group of people becomes more divided rather than less divided

when they consider evidence. When advocates of the HPV vaccine were perceived to have
the same cultural values of the respondents the information was accepted. But when the
advocates of the HPV vaccine were perceived to have differing cultural values of the
respondents the information was rejected ("Who's Afraid of).
Furthermore, for the past 30 years aborted fetuses have been used to aid in vaccination
research, primarily the stem cells which are cells that have the ability to develop into many
different types. Stem cells can either be taken from the umbilical cord or from the embryo
itself, once extracted the researcher would put the cells into a Petri dish to create a culture
and create more cells to manipulate, thus creating a control cell when used for vaccine
research. The use of the stem cells of aborted fetuses helped develop the following
vaccinations: chicken pox, hepatitis A, measles mumps and rubella (MMR), polio, rabies and
many more (Vaccines from Abortion). Many of these vaccinations, though seen as
unethical, have saved countless of lives. Pro lifers are strongly opposed to this controversy,
but without this questionable method, research for vaccinations could have come to a halt.
What happens when there is a vaccination shortage? Is that even possible? The answer,
sadly, is yes. The most notorious vaccination shortage was for the influenza virus, which
consistently has been in the media making nationwide headlines for the past several years.
These shortages not only come from too few of suppliers but also from too few of producers
of the vaccination (Ethical Issues). Although it is difficult for distributors to make an
informative estimate of how many vaccines are needed annually for the influenza virus, the
issue of those who need this vaccine and do not receive it remains. When vaccines become in
short supply, distributors must make an ethical decision on who receives the vaccine and

who doesnt. Those who do receive the vaccine are usually young children and elderly
adults, though it does depend on the type of vaccination.
Parents who choose not to vaccinate their children put other children at risk. Though
people have the right to make their own informed decisions, this decision comes at a cost for
the children and adults around them. Diseases or illnesses can incubate itself for days or even
weeks before showing symptoms and can be passed to other humans without the person even
knowing. More so there is a portion of individuals who do wish to receive vaccinations but
are unable to due to health insurance costs or low income (Ethical Issues). Although there
are programs in place, such as Section 317, to help the costs of vaccinations, some still either
do not know about such programs or do not use them to their full extent.
Vaccines have also gotten a lot of bad media on the idea that they may cause autism.
This seems to be because Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) has been more frequently
diagnosed as vaccines have also become more prevalent. This then led to the study of an
ingredient found in many vaccines called Thimerosal, which was used as a preservative.
After the study, the CDC, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, has issued a statement
declaring that, as of today, there is no relationship between autism and vaccinations
(Concerns about). But, they do support future research on the matter and are also
supportive of autism research.
Vaccinations have a direct tie to biology, life events, and cultural influence. The study of
biology is what helped us find the causes and controversial cure to illnesses and diseases that
are vaccinations. Growing up I can remember getting my recommended and required
vaccinations, from the time I was born until my adolescent years. I considered it what
everyone was supposed to do and my band-aid showed my success in enduring the pain that

was necessary to survive and exhibited that I moved passed a life event. The ban on stem cell
research is mainly culturally and religious based. Religiously stem cell research is seen as
supporting abortion and also mutilation of a human. But, as of 2011 Barack Obama has
issued an executive order to allow more funding and lift the bans on stem cell research. The
debate is still on going and many religious groups are trying to overturn this decision.
I believe that the ethical issues regarding vaccinations are what cause the cultural debate
over their use. If vaccine research did not include aborted fetuses stem cells I think that a lot
of people would be less abrasive and upset about the situation. Its not the future of science
they are seeing, they are seeing the death of an unborn child and then the mutilation of their
umbilical cord. More so, if vaccinations for STIs werent directed towards children the
parents wouldnt feel like their morals were being questioned when it comes to premarital
sex. The more people understand vaccinations such as how they are made, why they are
used, and whether or not their individual case requires a vaccination the more the cultural
debate will decline. People will still be upset about stem cell research, but if they understand
how important it is for future medical research maybe they will be more accepting.
Personally, I am thankful that my parents made the decision to vaccinate me and keep
me safe from diseases I otherwise could have gotten without it. I think that standard
vaccinations like MMR, chicken pox, and hepatitis are important because they can be passed
from person to person so easily. I can sympathize with the point of view of those who believe
that the HPV vaccine can promote promiscuity among young adults. But, one day they will
most likely have sexual intercourse or exchange bodily fluids with another person and
protection is the most valuable asset. I do not believe in abortion, but I respect other peoples

decision to have one because it is there own body. I can ethically agree with stem cell use of
aborted fetuses because I feel that at least there is some use of the human life that was lost.

Bibliography
"Concerns about Autism." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention, 26 Mar. 2014. Web. 30 Apr. 2014.
<http://www.cdc.gov/vaccinesafety/Concerns/Autism/Index.html>.
This website is published by the CDC, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,
which is one of the United States leading public health agency. They have published a
statement earlier this year addressing issues concerning the correlation between
vaccinations and autism spectrum disorder. They have cited an ingredient found in
several vaccinations that, after this research, is not used as frequently today, called
Thimerosal, and that has been under research and surveillance to find if it might
cause autism spectrum disorder.
"Ethical Issues and Vaccines." History of Vaccines RSS. The College Of Physicians Of
Philadelphia, 16 Jan. 2014. Web. 09 Mar. 2014.
<http://www.historyofvaccines.org/content/articles/ethical-issues-and-vaccines>.
The website poses ethical debates related to the development and regulation of vaccines
such as mandates, research and testing, informed consent, and access disparities.
Although there is no specific author, the website is represented by the college of
physicians of Philadelphia. The college of physicians of Philadelphia has been widely
known as the birthplace of American medicine. The recent update and inclusion of
sources is also reassurance of the quality of the content.
Offit, Paul A., MD. "History of Vaccine Schedule." Vaccine Education Center. The Children's
Hospital of Philadelphia, Apr. 2013. Web. 25 Apr. 2014.
<http://www.chop.edu/service/vaccine-education-center/vaccine-schedule/history-ofvaccine-schedule.html>.
This website offers information on the history and timeline of public use of vaccinations.
More so, including charts of vaccinations required and recommended in the United
States. Published and supported by the Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia. The
Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia is one of the largest and oldest hospitals in the
United States and is also one of the first in the world to dedicate practice towards
children.
Robinson, B. A. "Past Opposition to Vaccinations." Jehovah's Witnesses' Past Teachings on
Vaccination. Religious Tolerance, 4 Sept. 2013. Web. 25 Apr. 2014.
<http://www.religioustolerance.org/witness6.htm>.
This website offers a timeline of the religious decisions of the Jehovahs Witnesses
regarding the use of vaccinations. Also addressing the change of leadership of this
religious group has changed the viewpoints on vaccination. The author, Bruce A.
Robinson has a bachelors degree of applied science in engineering and physics from the

university of Toronto. There is also a citations and reference links at the bottom of the
page that provides and support accuracy and quality of the content.
"Who's Afraid of the HPV Vaccine?" ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 14 Jan. 2010. Web. 09
Mar. 2014. <http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/01/100113172401.htm>.
The article addresses a research study that concluded that people tend to match their risk
perceptions about policy issues with their cultural values, for example the HPV vaccine.
This conclusion leads researchers to believe that the disagreement about vaccinating
elementary school aged girls against HPV may be culturally based. The article is
published on a website called Science Daily which posts the latest research news. The
article itself comes from the National Science Foundation, which is a United States
government agency that supports research and education in the sciences.
"Vaccines from Abortion: The Hidden Truth." KNOW Vaccines RSS. KNOW, 2010. Web. 15
Apr. 2014. <http://www.know-vaccines.org/?page_id=250>.
The website offers information from KNOW vaccines about the ethical debate of stem
cell research from aborted fetuses and their use in vaccination research. KNOW vaccines,
standing for Kids Need Options With Vaccines, are an organization whose mission
is to promote public awareness of the fundamental issues concerning the vaccination
controversy. They offer information on vaccines and vaccination policies, especially on
how many vaccinations were created, and many more. Though updated in 2010, their
information is accurate, based on my own common knowledge and research on the topic.