The letter, endorsed by numerous prominent scientific, medical, academic, and patient advocacy organizations, addresses Secretary Alex Azar of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services to express significant concerns regarding the NIH Human Fetal Tissue Ethics Advisory Board and its recommendation to block funding for nearly all research proposals involving human fetal tissue. The signatories argue that the Board's unbalanced composition—characterized by overrepresentation from a single special interest group lacking broad scientific expertise—resulted in a pre-determined, restrictive outcome, insufficient transparency in its rationale, and the exclusion of critical perspectives such as patient representation. They emphasize the historical precedent of more inclusive and rigorous ethics reviews, notably the 1988 panel under President Reagan, which ultimately endorsed the ethical use of legally obtained fetal tissue for research.
The coalition underscores the indispensable role that human fetal tissue has played—and continues to play—in vital biomedical advancements, including the development of vaccines and treatments for numerous diseases. They express concern that the restrictions will have a chilling effect on essential, ethically sound research endeavors, potentially stalling progress against major health challenges including neurodegenerative diseases and emerging infectious threats like COVID-19. The letter calls on Secretary Azar to reject the Ethics Advisory Board's recommendations and to revoke federal policies that hinder fetal tissue research, advocating for an impartial, merit-based evaluation process in biomedical research funding to uphold American scientific leadership and advance public health.
