The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has announced it will no longer fund research that uses human foetal tissue obtained from elective abortions, effective immediately. The decision, made under the Trump administration, marks a significant shift in biomedical research policy.
NIH Director Jay Bhattacharya stated that the move aims to modernise the agency by investing in alternative technologies. 'This decision is about advancing science by investing in breakthrough technologies more capable of modelling human health and disease,' he said, adding that taxpayer-funded research must reflect 'the values of the American people.'
The ban reverses a 2021 policy under President Joe Biden that had lifted previous restrictions. Anti-abortion advocates have long opposed the use of foetal tissue from abortions, while scientists argue it is crucial for research into diseases such as diabetes, Alzheimer's, and infertility, as well as vaccine development for polio, hepatitis A, and rabies.
According to the NIH, the number of funded projects involving foetal tissue from abortions has declined since 2019. In fiscal year 2024, the agency directed nearly $60 million to 77 such projects. Researchers may still use tissue from miscarriages, but scientists often prefer tissue from abortions due to potential abnormalities in miscarriage tissue and difficulties in collection.
