March 18, 2020
Contact: Mary Alice Carter
646-326-4238
Administration ban on fetal tissue research is stopping scientists from seeking a cure for COVID-19
The following is a comment for Mary Alice Carter, Senior Advisor, Equity Forward, on the unconscionable decision of the Trump Administration and the anti-abortion leadership at HHS to ban fetal tissue research which is hampering coronavirus response, according to new reporting by Amy Goldstein at the Washington Post. It is followed by our release from June where Equity Forward slammed the decision.
"Time and time again this administration has put the demands of the anti-abortion lobby ahead of the health and well-being of people in America. Now the impact of those decisions is coming home to roost. They have stepped in the way of life-saving research, leaving the best viral researchers unable to do what needs to be done to seek a vaccine. It is unfathomable that the team of Trump, Pence and Secretary Azar can claim that HHS is the "Department of Life" when people are dying and they won't let researchers try. This is shameful, outrageous and the ban should be lifted immediately."
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Equity Forward Slams Azar’s Decision to Restrict Funding for Lifesaving Research, Putting Millions of Lives at Risk
06.05.19 – Earlier today, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced that the government would end as much as $100 million worth of federal funding used to research cures for diseases and conditions such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, HIV, Zika and Autism.
In response, Equity Forward senior advisor Mary Alice Carter released the following statement:
“HHS Secretary Alex Azar is putting millions of dollars in lifesaving research at risk to please a small group of anti-abortion extremists. This decision will derail scientific advancements that could lead to cures for diseases like Alzheimer’s and HIV.
“The fact is: there is no scientific reason to endanger this vital research funding. Congress should use the power of the purse to put science ahead of ideology and continue funding these vital programs.”
Click HERE for Equity Forward’s fact sheet on the benefits of fetal tissue research.
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