Health Secretary Bans Use of Fetal Tissue in Research
WASHINGTON — On Friday, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced a ban on the use of aborted fetal tissue in research funded by taxpayers, coinciding with Vice President J.D. Vance’s participation in a pro-life rally at the National Mall.
The directive from Kennedy stops the use of tissue from elective abortions in research conducted by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), a program that would have cost taxpayers about $60 million in the upcoming fiscal year 2024.
“HHS will end the use of human fetal tissue from elective abortions in agency-funded research and replace it with gold standard science,” Kennedy stated, restoring a ban that was initially enforced by the Trump administration in 2019.
He added, “Science supports this change, ethics demands it, and we will apply this standard consistently across the faculty.”
NIH Director Dr. Jay Bhattacharyya remarked, “This decision is about advancing science by investing in breakthrough technologies that can better model human health and disease.”
Vance, addressing the crowd at the 53rd March for Life, stressed the Trump administration’s effort to create a “culture of living” in the U.S., following their announcement that he and his wife, Usha, are expecting their fourth child this July.
“I really believe we need more families and more babies,” the vice president stated. “So let’s make it clear that we have a vice president who stands by his words.”
He criticized the political left, claiming they see “marriage and children” as “obstacles,” and that it is “irresponsible, even immoral, to discourage young people from starting families due to reasons like climate change.”
“They tell us that life itself is a burden, but we, gathered here, know that’s simply not true. Life is, in fact, a gift,” Vance expressed, reflecting on how much joy a baby can bring to a family.
Vance also noted, “Building a culture of life requires persuasion, and this moment stands in stark contrast to the time when the Supreme Court ruled for decades.”
“We’re not arguing with the Supreme Court anymore,” he continued, reiterating the administration’s focus on returning abortion regulations to states after the reversal of Roe v. Wade in 2022. “Now, we’re focused on convincing Americans to embrace a culture of life.”
Some supporters, such as Marjorie Dannenfelser from the Susan B. Anthony List, have voiced concerns that the administration isn’t fulfilling its commitments to the pro-life base within the Republican Party.
Earlier this month, President Trump urged House Republicans to be “flexible” regarding the Hyde Amendment, which restricts Medicaid funding for abortions except in cases of rape, incest, or life-threatening situations.
However, Republicans like House Freedom Caucus Chairman Andy Harris (R-Md.) have expressed reluctance about this suggestion.
Dannenfelser commented, “There is no ‘compromise’ on taxpayer funding for abortion. It’s either the Hyde Amendment is in effect or it’s not. Taxpayer dollars either fund a plan that covers abortion or they don’t.” She was responding to President Trump’s remarks.
During the March for Life event, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana) highlighted a legislative win for the pro-life movement by defunding Planned Parenthood, a decision that is currently being contested in court.
“For years, Medicaid funding has circumvented crucial protections under the Hyde Amendment and sent taxpayer money to abortion providers,” Johnson told the audience. “We’re putting a stop to that. With the Working Families Tax Cuts, we finally cut funding for large-scale abortions, which was long overdue.”
Notably, President Trump made history by becoming the first sitting U.S. president to speak at the March for Life during his final year in office. This year, he delivered a video message to the event.
