By Sarah Stortz
Fetal-tissue research could be at risk of being outlawed in Iowa if a bill proposed in the Iowa Senate passes.
The human-resource subcommittee of the Iowa Senate, led by Republicans, approved a piece of legislation last week that would prohibit the use of fetal tissue in medical research. This bill would ban receiving or transporting any type of fetal tissue in the state and provide penalties.
It would apply to the University of Iowa medical investigations, one of dozens of universities in the United States using fetal-tissue research.
Iowa City pulmonologist Alan Moy said he supported the bill during its initial hearing because of his opposition to using fetal tissues in research.
“I feel that the use is in conflict with medical research and that it defies human research,” he said. “Federal law doesn’t support trafficking on fetal tissue. I disagree with the opponents that this has led to remarkable treatment. That’s wrong. There are more ethical and more superior treatment methods.”
Moy said the bill’s passing should have no effect on the research at the UI.
“The law does not prevent buying commercial venues; the abortion clinics just wouldn’t be a source,” Moy said. “There have been a number of cell lines, and they have been created decades ago. You don’t need to replenish cell lines with fresh fetal.”
On the contrary, Sen. Joe Bolkcom, D-Iowa City, opposed the bill, saying it would do huge damage to the research at universities in Iowa.
“Our universities are doing great research with [fetal tissues], but whatever research would have to stop,” he said. “It could end research for cures and treatments.”
Bolkcom said passing the bill passing would be an economically bad decision as well.
“Institutions would be put out of business,” he said. “We can’t track the researchers, so they would have to go to other states.”
UI immunology Professor Nicholas Zavazava, a researcher, had a mixed opinion.
“There are people doing great research with it, but it’s also a very sensitive issue,” he said.
Zavazava works with stem cells at the university and reported that while some work with fetal tissue, it’s not used often in the research at the UI. Researchers typically use embryonic stem cells.
He said that fetal tissues are distinct from embryonic stem cells, with fetal tissues coming specifically from aborted fetuses.
Alternatively, Zavazava said he wished the school would use different types of methods to avoid controversy, one such being stem-cell transplant.
“You can create embryonic stem cells by drawing your own blood. There would be no fetus involved,” he said. “Unfortunately, this costs a lot of money, and Iowa just never invested in it. I really hope that Iowa would embrace it more.”
This is the second time members of the Senate have tried to pass a bill that would restrict fetal tissue used in medical research, with a very similar bill proposed last year that passed in the Iowa House.
Bolkcom said he urges anyone who doesn’t want this bill to pass, follow through by calling their senators.
“Now that Republicans are in charge, there’s a pretty decent chance of this passing,” he said.
