The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has announced a significant shift in policy under the Trump administration, discontinuing its funding for research that uses human fetal tissue derived from elective abortions. This decision, revealed on Thursday, extends to all NIH grants, cooperative agreements, research contracts, and intramural programs.
NIH Director Jay Bhattacharya explained that this move is part of a larger initiative to update biomedical science and expedite innovation, indicating a transition towards alternatives like organoids, tissue chips, and computational biology for modeling human health and diseases. "Under President Trump’s leadership, taxpayer-funded research must reflect the best science of today and the values of the American people," Bhattacharya stated.
During the 2024 fiscal year, the NIH funded 77 projects involving human fetal tissue, a number significantly lower than in previous years reported by Just the News. While research can still utilize tissue from miscarriages, federal support will not extend to that obtained from induced abortions.
The policy change comes as the annual March for Life is about to take place in Washington, D.C., with Vice President JD Vance and other notable Republicans set to address the crowd. The administration views the timing as indicative of its dedication to family and pro-life principles.
Proponents of the new policy argue it ensures federal research adheres to ethical standards and public values. Bhattacharya has labeled research using fetal tissue from elective abortions as "morally abhorrent" to many Americans, contending that scientific advancement can continue within ethical boundaries.
Opponents, such as Lawrence Goldstein, emeritus professor at UC San Diego, argue that fetal tissue is vital for understanding early human development and disease, as well as vaccine research. Goldstein, as quoted by Scientific American, emphasizes the necessity of real tissue for studying fetal diseases.
This policy revives debates from previous administrations, including those of George W. Bush and the first Trump administration, which both imposed restrictions on federally funded embryonic or fetal tissue research. The Biden administration later reversed these limitations in 2021.
The recent decision by the NIH reflects ethical, political, and scientific considerations. Anti-abortion groups have historically supported NIH actions that limit fetal tissue research, with National Right to Life President Carol Tobias praising similar policy changes.
With ongoing research potentially affected if alternative technologies prove insufficient, the NIH has confirmed it will continue to evaluate and seek public input on new methods. The goal is to utilize modern, validated platforms that can advance science while respecting ethical norms.
Taxpayer dollars, the NIH underscores, should back research with the highest potential to improve health outcomes and that is ethically responsible. The shift may consequently influence future biomedical research priorities, funding decisions, and ethical standards within U.S. research institutions.
