SCIENCE : Fetal Tissue Study Ban Retained

The Bush Administration plans to extend a 19-month-old ban on federal funding for research using fetal tissue, it was reported today.

James Mason, assistant secretary for health in the Department of Health and Human Services, has recommended to HHS Secretary Louis W. Sullivan that the ban be continued over the objections of two federal panels, the New York Times said.

Sullivan is expected to act within a week, said the newspaper, which cited no sources for its information.

Abortion opponents have strongly opposed using fetal tissue for medical research, although scientists say transplanting fetal tissue into adults may be effective in treating diabetes and Parkinson’s disease.

HHS imposed the ban in March, 1988, while the department reviewed the issue.