Conservatives have been celebrating a recent decision by the Trump administration to defund over $20 million in research projects involving human fetal tissue (HFT), claiming it as a victory for the ‘pro-life’ movement. Notably, one of the defunded studies aimed to cure brain cancer in children, highlighting the potential harms of this funding cut.
Historically, HFT research has contributed to significant medical advancements, including vaccines and treatments for various diseases. Anti-abortion activists have long sought to eliminate HFT research funding, and during Trump’s first term, a ban was imposed on newly-obtained HFT research. While the Biden administration reversed this ban in 2021, recent conservative pressure has forced the NIH to announce it will not renew certain grants, originally initiated under Biden, for projects using HFT.
Breitbart identified 17 NIH-funded research projects that utilized HFT, leading to conservative backlash. However, some researchers disputed Breitbart’s claims, stating that their studies were unaffected or that they no longer used fetal tissue. The NIH did not clarify which projects were impacted, suggesting confusion may have arisen from inaccurate reports.
The International Society for Stem Cell Research condemned the defunding, emphasizing the importance of HFT research in advancing biomedical science. This campaign against HFT research echoes previous anti-abortion efforts that have harmed public health, including a 2015 investigation into Planned Parenthood based on misleading information.
Currently, the Trump administration is also defunding crucial research on issues like maternal mortality and domestic violence, amidst a broader trend of anti-science policies underpinned by anti-abortion extremism. This situation poses risks to vital cancer research for children and represents a significant shift away from evidence-based health initiatives.
