What is Fetal Tissue Research?
• Fetal tissue research is research using tissue from non-living human fetuses. “Fetus” is a term that represents the period from eight weeks after conception until birth. Fetal tissue is derived from legal abortions and may be legally used for the purpose of conducting life saving scientific experiments. • Fetal tissue transplantation research uses fetal tissue to study potential treatment of life treating diseases. 2. Is Fetal Tissue Research Legal? • Fetal tissue research is legal in the United States. In 1975 the law was clarified to say such research is permitted if “conducted only in accordance with any applicable state or laws regarding such activities (45 C.F.R. 46, Sec. 210). • In 1993 Congresses passed the National Institutes of Health Revitalization Act (Public Law 103-43), which contained language restricting fetal tissue transplantation research. Prior to 1993, there was a five-year federal moratorium on fetal tissue transplantation research, but through and Executive Orde
