Universities and medical organizations oppose fetal tissue research ban

More than 90 groups — including universities, medical organizations, and social service organizations — penned a letter to HHS Secretary Alex Azar late last week to oppose the new ban on fetal tissue research. Last month, the Trump administration said it will end research by government scientists using fetal tissue, which is obtained from elective abortions. And although external groups that receive government funding can continue their work, the move raised concerns among the broader scientific community over access to fetal tissue. In the new letter, the groups iterated how fetal tissue research has helped advance vaccine science and provided insights into early human development. “We all rely on biomedical research to develop new treatments for the world’s most devastating diseases,” the letter said, adding, “Now is not the time to stifle progress.”