Planned Parenthood Statement on Fetal Tissue Research
Contact: Sandra Jordan, 202-973-6395
or Adrienne Verrilli, 202-973-6397, both of
Planned Parenthood Federation of America
WASHINGTON, Nov. 9 /U.S. Newswire/ -- 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.
-0-
/U.S. Newswire 202-347-2770/
11/09 13:29
Copyright 1999, U.S. Newswire
RSS