NIH Ending Funding for Fetal Tissue Research Raises Concerns

Scientists warn the ban could hamper studies on diseases like HIV, Ebola, and Parkinson's

Jan. 29, 2026 at 3:31pm

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The Trump administration has announced a ban on the use of human fetal tissue from some abortions in federally funded medical research. Scientists say this research has been crucial for understanding diseases and developing life-saving treatments, and worry the ban could prevent groundbreaking discoveries and the development of new therapies.

Why it matters

The use of human fetal tissue has been instrumental in advancing research on serious diseases and disorders, leading to the development of important vaccines and drugs. Ending federal funding for this research could significantly impact ongoing and future studies, potentially slowing progress in finding cures and treatments for devastating illnesses.

The details

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) said the new policy would go into effect immediately, with the goal of 'investing in breakthrough technologies more capable of modeling human health and disease.' However, scientists argue that human fetal tissue research has been invaluable, helping create cell lines that have led to vaccines for diseases like rubella, rabies, and hepatitis A. The research has also contributed to the development of treatments for HIV, hemophilia, and sepsis. Researchers say the tissue is particularly useful for creating humanized mouse models to study human immune systems and viruses.

  • The Trump administration first instituted a ban on human fetal tissue research at NIH in 2019, but it was reversed by the Biden administration in 2021.
  • The current ban on NIH funding for this research was announced last week and will go into effect immediately.

The players

Jayanta Bhattacharya

Director of the US National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Lawrence Goldstein

Professor emeritus of cellular and molecular medicine at the University of California, San Diego.

Anita Bhattacharyya

Associate professor of cell and regenerative biology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Joseph Varon

President and chief medical officer of the Independent Medical Alliance, a group that promoted unproven COVID-19 treatments.

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What they’re saying

“It's not a scientific decision. It's a moral decision that places the rights of fetal tissue that would be discarded above the rights of sick people who will benefit from that research.”

— Lawrence Goldstein, Professor emeritus of cellular and molecular medicine (ABC News)

“There is no ethical justification for performing experiments on tissue derived from aborted human beings. The fact this practice continued for years within federally funded research institutions shows just how far removed parts of HHS had become from foundational medical ethics. This correction is long overdue.”

— Joseph Varon, President and chief medical officer (Independent Medical Alliance)

“My reaction was, 'How are we going to do some of our research if we can no longer use human fetal tissue?' In particular, my lab studies Down syndrome and so we know that in Down syndrome, the brain develops differently to lead to the intellectual disability that people with Down syndrome have.”

— Anita Bhattacharyya, Associate professor of cell and regenerative biology (ABC News)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This decision by the NIH raises serious concerns among scientists about the potential impact on ongoing and future research into critical diseases and disorders. The loss of federal funding could hamper efforts to develop new treatments and therapies, potentially slowing progress in finding cures for devastating illnesses.