Research using donated human fetal tissue has led to the development of vaccines, new therapies for devastating diseases, and new knowledge about human development. Much of this research takes place at academic medical centers, where scientists seek to use the tissue to better understand the diseases that impact adults (like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's) and also developing fetuses (like Zika). The AAMC recently submitted a comment letter, and also joined nearly 100 other organizations in a joint letter, urging Acting Secretary of Health and Human Services Norris Cochran to withdraw a January 2020 proposed rule that would restrict NIH-funded research using human fetal tissue.
We thought it might be helpful to clarify some common misconceptions about the use of fetal tissue.
MISCONCEPTION: "Fetal tissue research is unnecessary because stem cells can always be used instead."<o:p></o:p>
FACT: Currently, human fetal tissue is considered the "gold standard" for researchers studying human development. Stem cells, which have not yet developed into specific organs, are useful tools for researchers to study certain things but differ in key ways from fetal tissue. Some scientific inquiries require cells that have begun to develop. Cell lines developed from fetal tissue to be used for further study are different than cell lines made from stem cells. Not only can we not say with confidence that stem cells could replace fetal tissue in all cases, in order to explore alternatives to human fetal tissue, researchers will require fetal tissue to validate the adequacy of any alternatives.
MISCONCEPTION: "Even though vaccines for polio and other diseases were developed with human fetal tissue, scientists could have used cells from animals, such as mice or monkeys."<o:p></o:p>
FACT: Human fetal tissue has been essential in studying and cultivating viruses; the use of nonhuman cells for early vaccine development was attempted and failed. Among other concerns, one of the problems with the use of monkey cells, for example, is that animals carry viruses that are potentially toxic to humans. Human cells lack those specific viruses. Human fetal tissue has been vital to the development and continued production of vaccines that have saved millions of lives but is not used directly in the development of manufacture of all vaccines.
Use of fetal tissue has led to vital biomedical research advances beyond vaccine development, including research into macular degeneration, multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injuries, and Parkinson's disease.
I welcome any of your thoughts and comments on this post, just click "Reply" to join the discussion. Community members are also welcome to reach out to me directly with questions at hpierce@aamc.org.
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Heather Pierce, JD, MPH
Senior Director, Science Policy and Regulatory Counsel
Association of American Medical Colleges
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