Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) joined U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), and seven of their Senate GOP colleagues, in jumpstarting their goal to end federal support for research involving fetal tissue obtained from abortions and to outlaw trafficking of the body parts of aborted children.
Sens. Mullin, Hyde-Smith, and their Senate GOP colleagues today reintroduced the Protecting Life and Integrity in Research Act (S.987) to prohibit all federal agencies from conducting, funding, approving, or otherwise supporting any research involving human fetal tissues obtained from an induced abortion. It would also prohibit solicitation or receipt of human fetal tissue resulting from an abortion.
The National Institutes of Health, which spent $53 million on human fetal tissue research in 2023, expects to spend $55 million in 2025.
Building support for alternatives to research rooted in abortion, the senators emphasized that non-fetal cells were used to develop insulin for diabetes and Herceptin for breast cancer, and umbilical cord blood has treated thousands of people with blood disorders. Adult stem cells have saved the lives of over 1 million people worldwide, treating cancers, hematologic diseases and autoimmune disorders.
The Protecting Life and Integrity in Research Act would continue to allow the use of fetal tissue obtained after a miscarriage or stillbirth.
Sens. Mullin and Hyde-Smith are joined on this legislation by Senators Jim Risch (R-ID), James Lankford (R-OK), John Kennedy (R-LA), Josh Hawley (R-MO), Steve Daines (R-MT), John Barrasso (R-WY), and Mike Lee (R-UT).
U.S. Congressman Bob Onder, M.D. (R-MO) also introduced a companion measure (HR.2075) in the House of Representatives, with cosponsors Representatives Trent Kelly (R-MS), Michael Guest (R-MS) and Mike Ezell (R-MS).
Americans United for Life, Catholic Vote, Concerned Women for America LAC, March for Life Action, Students for Life Action, Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, and U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Pro-Life Activities support this legislation.
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