Planned Parenthood
statement
on fetal tissue
research
Following is a statement by Gloria
Feldt, president, Planned Parenthood Federation of
America:
 "Planned Parenthood deplores the
on-going attempts by extreme anti-choice politicians to curtail
scientific research and medical advances for the sake of hyperbole
and to demonize women who seek to control their own fertility. We
support individuals' rights to consent to organ, cadaver, or fetal
tissue donations for the purpose of medical research in the pursuit
of saving lives and treating and curing diseases.
H.
Res. 350, a Sense of the Congress resolution introduced by Rep.
Tancredo, is redundant and unnecessary, leading us to conclude that
the objections of anti-choice extremists are based on their desire
to impose their personal ideological beliefs on all Americans and
not in a lack of regulation in U.S. law. Federal law already states
that it is illegal to sell fetal tissue, providing fines,
imprisonment, or both for violations.
This resolution
is yet another attempt to unnecessarily intertwine the abortion
debate with the legitimate work of the scientific community in
treating life-threatening and life-debilitating
diseases.
Planned Parenthood will continue to support
those women who, with their complete understanding and written
consent, donate fetal tissue after an abortion procedure in support
of the work of medical researchers who are seeking cures for serious
diseases. We support the two federal laws that enable citizens to
donate vital tissues and organs for life-saving medical research.
Our medical futures, and that of generations to come, depend on such
unselfish acts by courageous individuals.
Contact:
Sandra Jordan, 202-973-6395 or Adrienne Verrilli, 202-973-6397, both
of Planned Parenthood Federation of America.
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