NIH promises to end 17 research projects using aborted human fetal tissue
By willowt // 2025-09-16
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  • The NIH confirms it will not renew 17 grants for research using human fetal tissue.
  • Many of these projects were sanctioned under the Biden administration.
  • Republican lawmakers are pushing to fully defund such research in future budgets.
  • The use of fetal tissue in scientific research has a contentious history, with ethical and public health concerns at the forefront.
In a significant development, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has announced it will not renew 17 grants for research involving human fetal tissue. The decision comes after a report from Breitbart News, which uncovered the use of taxpayer funds for such research. The NIH confirmed that these projects, many of which were initiated under the Biden administration, will not be renewed, affirming its commitment to the highest ethical standards in research.

White Coat Waste Project sheds light on the issue

Breitbart News reported that it received confirmation from the NIH that it will not renew the 17 grants, which collectively received $22 million in taxpayer dollars in the 2024 fiscal year. The White Coat Waste Project (WCW), a government watchdog group, discovered these projects in public records and highlighted the ethical concerns surrounding the use of fetal tissue derived from abortions. "We take this issue very seriously and remain committed to the highest ethical standards in research," stated the NIH in response to Breitbart's inquiry. "The referenced grants, initiated under the Biden administration, will not be renewed."

Historical context and policy shifts

The use of aborted fetal tissue in scientific research has a complex history, marked by significant policy shifts over the past decade. During President Donald Trump's first term, his administration imposed strict restrictions on the use of fetal tissue derived from elective abortions in medical research. These regulations required any research proposal involving human fetal tissue to be reviewed and approved by an independent ethics board. However, under the Biden administration, these safeguards were removed. In 2021, the Biden administration dissolved the independent ethics advisory board, allowing research on human fetal tissue to proceed without external scrutiny. This move sparked widespread controversy, with critics focusing on the ethical implications of using fetal tissue derived from elective abortions. The decision to disband the ethics board and resume funding for such research was followed by the NIH's confirmation of 17 active grants involving human fetal tissue. These projects included both basic research and more controversial experiments, such as grafting fetal tissue into animals, particularly mice.

Ethical and public health concerns

The ethical concerns surrounding the use of fetal tissue in research are multifaceted. For many pro-life advocates, the use of tissue derived from elective abortions is fundamentally at odds with the sanctity of human life. Critics argue that providing federal funding for such research undermines the moral and ethical boundaries society has long held. "The Biden administration had no qualms about violating the dignity of human beings — especially those whose lives ended in the womb," said Mary Szoch, director of the Center for Human Dignity at the Family Research Council. "There are loads of questions that should be asked about the government-funded research on these aborted babies, including whether abortion facilities were paid for these body parts." Beyond ethical considerations, there are also public health concerns. Proponents of restricting fetal tissue research argue that there are alternative methods and technologies available that could achieve the same scientific goals without the ethical burden.

The future of fetal tissue research funding

Republican lawmakers are actively working to defund research using human fetal tissue obtained from abortions. The House Appropriations Committee passed its FY26 NIH spending bill, which includes a provision to defund all such research. Additionally, Rep. Robert Onder (R-MO) introduced the "Protecting Life and Integrity in Research Act of 2025," which would prohibit the federal government from conducting or supporting research involving human fetal tissue derived from elective abortions. These efforts reflect a broader political and ethical conversation about the role of the government in funding scientific research, especially when it involves controversial practices. As the debate continues, the NIH's commitment to ethical standards will likely play a key role in determining the future of fetal tissue research in the United States.

Ethical boundaries and public trust

The NIH's decision to end funding for the 17 research projects involving human fetal tissue underscores the ongoing tension between scientific progress and ethical boundaries. By affirming a commitment to ethical standards, the NIH has taken a crucial step in restoring public trust in federally funded research. However, the broader debate about the use of fetal tissue in scientific research remains contentious, and the efforts to ban such research at the federal level will likely continue. This issue highlights the delicate balance between advancing medical science and respecting the ethical concerns of the population. Sources for this article include: LifeSite.news Breitbart.com WashingtonStand.com
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