NIH Under Biden Funded Controversial Animal Experiments with Human Tissue

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) under the Biden administration has funded a series of studies involving the use of human tissue from aborted fetuses in animal research, according to a recent investigation by the watchdog group White Coat Waste Project (WCW). The investigation identified 17 active NIH-funded grants totaling approximately $21.7 million that support experiments utilizing human fetal tissue. Many of these projects began in 2024 and are scheduled to continue through 2026.

In response to the findings, the NIH announced that these grants would not be renewed in the future. The WCW has previously uncovered numerous NIH-funded experiments that involved implanting human fetal body parts, such as scalps and organs, into laboratory animals. Such studies aim to investigate diseases like HIV, Parkinson’s disease, and various rare genetic conditions.

Anthony Bellotti, founder and president of the WCW, stated, “For years, White Coat Waste has been fighting to ensure taxpayers aren’t forced to foot the bill for nightmarish NIH experiments that crudely implant fingers, scalps, and other human fetus parts into animals.” The WCW’s report highlighted that these ongoing projects fall under the NIH category of ‘Human Fetal Tissue,’ which includes experiments detailing the implantation of human fetal tissue into mice.

Among the controversial initiatives is a project investigating childhood rhabdomyosarcoma, an aggressive cancer, receiving $755,000 in funding. Another project focused on multiple sclerosis has been allocated $1.4 million, while a $430,000 grant supports research on Parkinson’s disease. These grants illustrate a wide range of research endeavors involving human fetal tissue.

The NIH’s current policy defines human fetal tissue as “the tissue or cells obtained from a dead human embryo or fetus after a spontaneous or induced abortion or stillbirth.” This definition raises questions about the origins of the tissue used in these studies. While the NIH grants do not clarify whether the tissue was obtained from aborted or stillborn fetuses, Columbia Law School noted that the federal government had previously canceled a contract with Advanced Bioscience Resources (ABR) for collecting human fetal tissue from elective abortions.

In a statement to the media, the NIH emphasized its commitment to ethical research standards. “NIH takes this issue very seriously and remains committed to the highest ethical standards in research,” a spokesperson said. “We are actively reviewing these matters and will take all necessary steps to ensure our policies reflect that commitment.”

The debate surrounding the use of fetal tissue in research has intensified since the Trump administration imposed a ban on new funding for such studies in 2019. This policy change resulted in a significant reduction in NIH spending on fetal tissue research. However, in 2021, following President Joe Biden’s election, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) reversed the previous ban.

The International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR) has expressed concern regarding NIH’s decision to halt funding for projects involving human fetal tissue. ISSCR President Hideyuki Okano stated, “Research with HFT and HFT-derived cell lines has been a cornerstone of biomedical progress since the 1930s,” emphasizing the vital role of this research in understanding diseases and human development.

As discussions continue, many scientists argue that research involving fetal tissue is essential for addressing critical health challenges, including Zika virus, HIV, and neurodegenerative disorders. The NIH has stated that informed consent is required for research involving human fetal tissue, ensuring that ethical standards are upheld.

The implications of these findings will likely persist as the NIH navigates the complexities of funding research that involves sensitive ethical considerations while striving to maintain scientific progress.