HHS to hold 'listening sessions' on fetal tissue research

HHS is conducting a series of “listening sessions” on research involving human fetal tissue and plans to hold the first meeting this Friday, according to multiple sources. In an email obtained by STAT, the agency says "experts from diverse backgrounds" will be part of the meeting, including multiple researchers. They'll be asked to give their rationale for using fetal tissue in their research as well as possible alternatives. The meetings are part of a department-wide audit into the use of fetal tissue in federal research. The audit was first announced in September at the same time the FDA ended a contract with a company that procured fetal tissue for testing. More here.