Fetal tissue transplants remain off limits

Article Abstract:

A controversial issue involving medical research, politics and the ethics of abortion has reached some degree of resolution. No federal funding will be provided for research that involves transplantation of human fetal tissue obtained during induced abortion into human recipients. A temporary ban on federal funds for this research was extended indefinitely by Health and Human Services Secretary Louis Sullivan. Medical researchers were disappointed, but not surprised by the decision. However, not all fetal tissue transplantation research will be directly affected. Federal funds can be used to transplant fetal tissue into animals, and research with tissue obtained from spontaneous abortions will not be hampered. In addition, privately funded projects can continue without federal intervention, but obtaining adequate monies is difficult. For this reason, the government decision is expected to have a general inhibitory effect on research with fetal tissue. Sullivan's decision to ban federal funding in cases of induced abortion was contrary to the recommendation of a specially appointed panel. Panel members from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) debated the legal and ethical issues and recommended that transplantation research using fetal tissue from induced abortions be considered "acceptable public policy". Guidelines for the appropriate use of fetal tissue presented included the recommendation that a woman's choice to terminate pregnancy be kept separate from her decision to donate fetal tissues for research. Some believe the panel's guidelines were rejected by Sullivan because the pro-life, anti-abortion movement has a strong political influence over the Bush administration. Sullivan stated that allowing research on human fetal tissue will probably increase the number of abortions performed in the US; he surmised that women who are unsure of their decision will be swayed towards abortion by the opportunity to help medical research. The chairman of the NIH panel noted that this possibility was thoroughly discussed and the panel provided guidelines for separating the two decisions for each woman; he stated that the real motivation behind the federal funding ban was probably anti-abortion sentiments. Researchers currently are using fetal tissue transplantation to develop treatments for diabetes, Parkinson's disease and other illnesses. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Political aspects, Ethical aspects, United States. National Institutes of Health, Abortion, Federal aid to research, Government aid to research, Fetal death

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Fetal research

Article Abstract:

Research advances in the past 20 years have enabled the diagnosis and treatment of medical problems in the fetus before birth. Fetal research has revealed ways to detect congenital malformations and genetic diseases. Procedures such as ultrasound, amniocentesis (removal and analysis of amniotic fluid) and fetal heart rate monitoring are now widely used. It is also possible to give the unborn child blood transfusions and medication, and to even perform surgery to correct malformations in utero (in the uterus). Because of these research advances, the fetus has gained the status of patient. A related, but different, type of research involving the fetus is fetal tissue research, in which tissues from the dead fetus are studied; tissues are obtained from spontaneous and induced abortions. Fetal cells are valuable to medical researchers because they have unique physiological characteristics. For example, they grow and divide rapidly and can continue to grow after transplantation into another living organism. Fetal tissues may be used to treat and cure diseases in other fetuses, children and adults. One fetus with deficient immune function has received cells from two dead fetuses which may help it develop a healthy immune system. Transplants of fetal pancreatic cells may someday allow diabetics to produce their own insulin; fetal nerve cells may cure degenerative illnesses such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinsonism. Fetal cell research may also help to develop vaccines, assess drug toxicity and treat AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome). These exciting possibilities must be balanced against the need to use fetal tissue in a responsible way and consideration of the complex moral and ethical issues involved. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Abnormalities, Fetus, Prenatal diagnosis

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Fetal research ban on shaky ground?

Article Abstract:

According to a Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) attorney, the Bush Administration's extension of a ban on federally funded research using fetal tissue transplants may not be legal. Richard Riseberg warned in a memorandum that such a moratorium could be considered a rule and therefore subject to the formal rule-making process. Representative Ted Weiss of New York has obtained a copy of Riseberg's memo and has added it to his ammunition against HHS Secretary Louis Sullivan, who extended the moratorium in 1988. According to Weiss, Sullivan's opinion that removing the ban would lead to a rise in abortion is unfounded. He is further motivated by recent news that fetal tissue was successfully used in Sweden to treat a patient with Parkinson's disease, a progressive and debilitating central nervous system disorder. Support for the Administration's position has come mainly from groups opposed to abortion. The United States also differs from Europe, where many countries support allowing the use of fetal tissue if the decisions to donate tissue and to have an abortion are kept separate. Another Congressional representative, Henry Waxman of California, plans to hold hearings on Sullivan's decision later in February 1990. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Laws, regulations and rules, Medical policy, Health policy, Biological research, United States. Department of Health and Human Services, Weiss, Ted

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