Special House panel continues probe on fetal tissue donation

By Staff Writer | Mar 31, 2016 05:28 AM EDT

The special House panel has issued 12 additional subpoenas which will dwell into the investigation of fetal tissue donations. Republicans that are leading the case are investigating organizations such as Planned Parenthood and other related groups.

Representative Marsha Blackburn headed the panel and issued the subpoenas to companies like StemExpress, Ganogen, and the Biomedical Research Institute of America. Individuals who also have a connection to the University of Mexico which conducts fetal tissue research were also given subpoenas. Blackburn said in an interview that there should be no resistance in getting the facts out. She added that this move clearly rattles some abortion supporters as per ABC News.

As reported by the Valley News, the Republican panel and opponents of abortion said that the congressional investiagtion is aimed to ensure that people do not violate the law by making money out of fetal tissues. The government is against the sale of human tissues and organs.

Most subpoenas, however, are intended at getting documents but some are aimed at recipients to provide close door information to investigators. Other subpoenas demanded the names of current and former personnel of the University of Mexico which gets its tissue samples from Southwestern Women's Option, a clinic for abortion.

According to Washington Times, Senator Kurt Schaefer also filed a resolution that summons the president and CEO of Planned Parenthood of St. Louis, Mary Kogut, as well as Dr. James Miller, Owner of St. Louis Pathology Services to answer some of the senate's queries regarding the issue.

The investigative panel which is called the Select Investigative Panel of Infant Lives has already conducted one public hearing since its creation last fall. Planned Parenthood, however, said it has done nothing illegal. It added that all the congressional and state committee investigations have come up with zero evidence of crime. President Barrack Obama, on the other hand, have vetoed the efforts of congressional Republicans to end the federal funding for Planned Parenthood.

More Sections