Panel Affirms Plan for Use of Abortion Tissue in Research

BETHESDA, Md. — A special federal advisory committee today tentatively reaffirmed its recommendation that fetal tissue from induced abortions can be used for medical research.

The 21-member panel was careful to avoid linking its recommendation with the morality of abortion.

“It is of moral relevance that human fetal tissue for research has been obtained from induced abortions,” the draft language said. “However, in light of the fact that abortion is legal and that the research in question is intended to achieve significant medical goals, the panel concludes that the use of such tissue is acceptable public policy.”

The report will not become final until the written version worked out over five days of meetings is circulated by mail to all the panel’s members for any minor editing changes.