Even though fetal tissue has long been used in medical research, its use may be curtailed in the future, thanks to breakthroughs in stem cell research. Stem cell technology is increasingly able to regenerate necessary cells and overcome immune system issues caused by adult stem cell donations, thereby obviating the need for more use of fetal tissue. Many of the most common vaccines, such as rubella, shingles and chickenpox, formerly were derived from human fetal tissue. They now are created using animal tissue or fetal cells grown in the laboratory.

In stem cell research, technicians now can reprogram adult skin cells into stem cells. These so-called pluripotent stem cells can then be matched to other cells in the body. They are grown in labs and used in experiments that someday may lead to new therapies for diseases or potentially even regeneration of limbs or the spine.

However, pluripotent cell research is still in its early stages, and it is unclear if the cells will activate in humans or if they generate cells in the parts of the body that they are intended to treat. That means fetal tissue research is still needed.

The Planned Parenthood Setback

That fetal tissue controversy received renewed interest this year when a group opposed to abortion ironically called the Center for Medical Progress released a series of videos. The highly edited videos purportedly showed an undercover “sting” in which Planned Parenthood doctors nonchalantly discussed selling organs harvested from aborted fetuses.