National Institutes of Health Bans Research Using Human Fetal Tissue from Abortions
In a move that marks a significant shift in the agency's research priorities, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has announced it will no longer fund studies using human fetal tissue obtained from elective abortions. This decision, made by NIH Director Jay Bhattacharya, aims to modernize the agency's approach to scientific research and align with contemporary values.
According to the NIH, this ban takes effect immediately, with a notable decline in the number of agency-backed projects involving fetal tissue from abortions since 2019. In fiscal year 2024 alone, nearly $60 million was allocated for 77 projects using such tissue. However, researchers still face an alternative option: collecting usable tissue from miscarriages, although this approach is often less viable due to factors like genetic abnormalities and limited availability.
The use of fetal tissue in research has contributed significantly to advancements in understanding diseases, including diabetes, Alzheimer's, and infertility. Fetal tissue has also played a crucial role in vaccine development for polio, hepatitis A, rabies, and other illnesses. Despite these benefits, the agency's decision reflects growing anti-abortion sentiments within the Trump administration.
This ban marks another step in the ongoing effort to restrict research that utilizes fetal tissue from abortions. The NIH had previously implemented measures in 2019 to review and approve such proposals, which were later reversed by Joe Biden in 2021.
In a move that marks a significant shift in the agency's research priorities, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has announced it will no longer fund studies using human fetal tissue obtained from elective abortions. This decision, made by NIH Director Jay Bhattacharya, aims to modernize the agency's approach to scientific research and align with contemporary values.
According to the NIH, this ban takes effect immediately, with a notable decline in the number of agency-backed projects involving fetal tissue from abortions since 2019. In fiscal year 2024 alone, nearly $60 million was allocated for 77 projects using such tissue. However, researchers still face an alternative option: collecting usable tissue from miscarriages, although this approach is often less viable due to factors like genetic abnormalities and limited availability.
The use of fetal tissue in research has contributed significantly to advancements in understanding diseases, including diabetes, Alzheimer's, and infertility. Fetal tissue has also played a crucial role in vaccine development for polio, hepatitis A, rabies, and other illnesses. Despite these benefits, the agency's decision reflects growing anti-abortion sentiments within the Trump administration.
This ban marks another step in the ongoing effort to restrict research that utilizes fetal tissue from abortions. The NIH had previously implemented measures in 2019 to review and approve such proposals, which were later reversed by Joe Biden in 2021.