Texas legislators who passed one of the nation’s toughest abortion laws turned their attention to fetal tissue research Thursday, ahead of a Houston court appearance by two anti-abortion activists on charges related to their filming of undercover videos at a Planned Parenthood clinic. Planned Parenthood has indicated it wants to offer abortions at its new clinic under construction in New Orleans.
Advertisement
Cook repeated for the committee that the research was limited in scope.
Selling fetal tissue is illegal, but women can consent to donate aborted fetal tissue, and abortion clinics can be reimbursed for costs associated with procuring the tissue.
Last year, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, facing multiple felony indictments, launched criminal and civil investigations into Planned Parenthood over the fetal tissue sale claims.
Planned Parenthood has denied the allegations.
At a hearing to consider policies on how human fetal tissue can be used for scientific research, University of Texas System Executive Vice Chancellor for Health Affairs Raymond Greenberg said “very, very few” researchers used fetal tissue.
The University of Texas conducts fetal tissue research at three of its facilities statewide.
Neither Greenberg nor top officials from the Department of State Health Services, which regulates and inspects abortion clinics, recommended any changes to Texas’ current laws and regulations concerning fetal tissue donation and research. Greenberg told lawmakers the majority of their fetal tissue comes from a California based nonprofit called Advanced Biosciences. When medical students study cadavers, they’re lectured on respect, she said, and they hold a cremation ceremony at the end of the semester.
“Its not okay for somebody to be able to say, you know what I don’t like this aspect so I’m going to take everything away”, said Stacey Sanchez, a community member speaking at the press conference. “Even if these videos are heavily edited, as some claim, the disrespect for human life and human remains is chilling”, Almond said.
Advertisement
The committee heard from Greenberg, state health officials and advocacy groups Thursday at the behest of House Speaker Joe Strauss. Those videos have since been discredited, but that hasn’t stopped Republican leaders in the Texas Legislature from calling a series of hearings to review the state’s rules for the use of fetal tissue.
