U.S. Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) is leading the charge in her chamber of the capitol to ban taxpayer-funded research involving fetal tissue obtained from abortions while also outlawing the trafficking of aborted babies’ body parts.
Hyde-Smith, the Senate Pro-Life Caucus chair, reintroduced the “Protecting Life and Integrity in Research Act” on Wednesday to prohibit all federal agencies from conducting, funding, approving, or otherwise supporting any research involving human fetal tissues obtained from an induced abortion. It would also prohibit solicitation or receipt of human fetal tissue resulting from an abortion.
This controversial subject has long been under scrutiny from pro-life activists and other religious groups who object to abortion and any policy that entails the government subsidizing studies being conducted on aborted humans. On the other side, many scientists have argued that the research serves to help find cures for deadly illnesses like HIV, Parkinson’s disease, diabetes, and others.
According to Hyde-Smith, the National Institutes of Health, which spent $53 million on human fetal tissue research in 2023, expects to spend $55 million in 2025.
“There are ethical and scientifically valid ways to conduct fetal tissue research without relying on the body parts of aborted babies,” the Republican argued. “Yet, the federal government currently spends millions of our taxpayer dollars each year funding research that uses tissue from abortions, furthering the dehumanizing practice of fetal tissue trafficking. It’s time to stop funding this inhumane practice that is an affront to the sanctity of life.”
Pointing to alternatives to research rooted in abortion, Hyde-Smith contended that non-fetal cells were used to develop insulin for diabetes and Herceptin for breast cancer, and umbilical cord blood has treated thousands of people with blood disorders. Adult stem cells have saved the lives of over one million people worldwide, treating cancers, hematologic diseases, and autoimmune disorders.
During his first term in 2019, Republican President Donald Trump ordered a ban on the U.S. government funding research using human fetal tissues after facing pressure from pro-life supporters. Two years later, Democratic President Joe Biden’s administration reversed the Trump policy. Now, Hyde-Smith is looking to use the momentum of having GOP majorities in both chambers of Congress to codify a ban into law.
Assuring the public that research will still be carried out to find solvents for prevalent diseases, Hyde-Smith’s bill would continue to allow the use of fetal tissue obtained after a miscarriage or stillbirth.
In the U.S. House of Representatives, Congressman Bob Onder (R-Mo.) introduced a companion measure with cosponsors including Mississippi’s three GOP congressmen: Reps. Trent Kelly, Michael Guest, and Mike Ezell.
