NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – Researchers at Vanderbilt University used fetal tissue in diabetes research in a federally funded project that won a national award last year.
The private university in Nashville received more than $10 million in grants from the National Institutes of Health in 2011 and 2012.
Anti-abortion activists’ release of undercover videos of Planned Parenthood discussing the sale of fetal tissue unleashed a furor on Capitol Hill and on the presidential campaign trail.
The Associated Press reported this week that 97 research institutions – mostly universities and hospitals – received a total of $280 million in fetal tissue research grants between 2011 and 2014.
University laboratories strongly defend their research, saying tissue that would otherwise be thrown out has played a vital role in lifesaving medical advances and holds great breakthrough potential.
Copyright 2015 The Associated Press.