National Institutes of Health to not renew contract over fetal tissue use

By (CNA/EWTN)
12/6/2018 (1 month ago)
Catholic Online (https://www.catholic.org)

The National Institutes of Health will not renew a contract with the University of California San Francisco over concerns about the project's use of fetal tissue.

Highlights

By (CNA/EWTN)
Catholic Online (https://www.catholic.org)
12/6/2018 (1 month ago)

Published in U.S.

Keywords: National Institutes of Health, renew contract, fetal tissue use

---

Washington D.C., (CNA) - The National Institutes of Health informed UCSF it will not renew a contract to conduct research into therapies for various ailments, including AIDS and Parkinson's disease, over concerns about the project's use of fetal tissue.

According to the Orlando Sentinel, the decision was communicated to UCSF last week following instruction from the "highest levels." The contract was worth approximately $2 million per year.

As recently as October, the expectation had been that the seven-year project would be extended for a further year. The contract, which expires Dec. 5, will now continue for a further 90 days, with not clear indication of its future beyond that point.

The work in the UCSF lab involves testing on what are known as "humanized mice" that have been implanted with tissues from fetal remains. This causes the mouse to develop an immune system that is similar to that of a humans.

The fetal tissues used in these experiments and research is obtained through abortions.

The decision not to renew the contract follows what the federal government called in a September statement a "comprehensive review" over the funding of research involving the use of fetal tissue. At that time, HHS said that it was seeking "adequate alternatives" to the use of fetal tissue altogether.

In the September statement, HHS wrote that they will work to "ensure that efforts to develop such alternatives are funded and accelerated."

In November, HHS Assistant Secretary for Health Brett Giror characterized the Trump administration as being "pro-life, (and) pro-science" in a letter to Rep. Mark Meadows (R-NC). Meadows chairs the House's Freedom Caucus and is outspoken in his pro-life views.

The non-renewal of the UCSF contract comes just over two months after the government canceled a significantly smaller contract between Food and Drug Administration and Advanced Bioscience Resources, Inc. that also involved the creation of humanized mice.

Following media scrutiny of the existing contract between the FDA and Advanced Bioscience Resources, which has admitted to the "upselling" of some fetal parts obtained through abortion, the contract was canceled and HHS announced that they would review all similar programs.
 

More U.S.

• « Prev
• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
• 6
• 7
• 8
• 9
• Next »

Judges block Little Sisters' religious exemption from contraception mandate Watch

Judges in California and Pennsylvania have issued injunctions against a Trump administration rule that would allow the Little Sisters of ... continue reading

---

Indulgence available for participants in National Prayer Vigil for Life Watch

The Holy See has granted that a plenary indulgence may be obtained by those who participate in the National Prayer Vigil for Life or other ... continue reading

---

Wuerl denies prior denials denied knowledge of McCarrick seminarian abuse Watch

Cardinal Donald Wuerl told Washington, DC priests Saturday that he appropriately handled a 2004 allegation of misconduct against Archbishop ... continue reading

---

A pro-life Democrat on why language matters in the abortion debate Watch

 The language that people choose to use in reference to unborn children and ideological opponents is at the crux of the abortion ... continue reading

---

Sister Pimentel disappointed she could not speak with Trump during border visit Watch

Sister Norma Pimentel says she is "truly disappointed"" that she did not get a chance to speak during a roundtable discussion with ... continue reading

---

• « Prev
• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
• 6
• 7
• 8
• 9
• Next »