Fetal Tissue Research

Fetal Tissue Research holds the promise of medical miracles—transplants to treat a host of diseases including parkinsonism and diabetes. But anti-abortion groups say the use of fetal tissue from induced abortions will encourage more women to have abortions and lead to a multimillion-dollar fetal harvesting industry. Two advisory bodies at the National Institutes of Health say adequate controls could be established to prevent abuses, but abortion opponents have persuaded the Reagan and Bush administrations to block federal funding for the research. Some privately funded research and clinical studies are continuing, but scientists and others want Congress to lift the funding moratorium to allow expanded research. President Bush is expected to use a veto if necessary to preserve the funding ban.