NIH to spend up to $20 million on search for alternatives to fetal tissue research

The Trump administration says it's interested in funding up to $20 million in research over the next two years to find alternatives to human fetal tissue for studying disease. “We are a pro-life, pro-science Administration. This means that we understand and appreciate that medical research and the testing of new medical treatments using fetal tissue raises inherent moral and ethical issues," HHS spokesperson Caitlin Oakley said in a statement. The notice come on the heels of the news that the Trump administration ordered NIH scientists to stop procuring new human fetal tissue. The issue is also on the agenda in Congress: On Thursday, a House subcommittee is holding a hearing to "explore alternatives" to fetal tissue research.