# Plain Language Summary: Safe RESEARCH Act

This bill would severely restrict the use of fetal tissue in medical research funded by the federal government. Currently, researchers can use fetal tissue from both miscarriages and abortions in studies aimed at developing treatments for diseases like Parkinson's, diabetes, and spinal cord injuries. Under this bill, fetal tissue could only come from stillbirths—pregnancies that end naturally without any medical intervention. This effectively bans the use of tissue from induced abortions in federally funded research.

The bill also encourages researchers to develop and use alternative materials instead of fetal tissue, such as organoids (lab-grown tissue structures), induced pluripotent stem cells (adult cells reprogrammed to act like embryonic cells), and other adult stem cells. While these alternatives show promise, many scientists argue they don't yet replicate all the capabilities of fetal tissue for certain types of research. The bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services to update its regulations within a year to enforce these new restrictions.

The practical impact would be significant for medical research. Studies using fetal tissue have contributed to advances in understanding and treating various diseases, and restricting this research could slow progress on certain treatments. However, the bill's supporters argue this change aligns with ethical concerns about abortion, while opponents worry it will hinder medical breakthroughs that could help patients. For most Americans, the effects would be indirect—potentially affecting the pace at which new medical treatments become available, though this would take years to become apparent.

Safe RESEARCH Act

McClain, Lisa C.

Safe Responsible Ethical Scientific Endeavors Assuring Research for Compassionate Healthcare Act or the Safe RESEARCH Act This bill prohibits the National Institutes of Health (NIH) from conducting or supporting research on human fetal tissue obtained from an abortion procedure. It also imposes other restrictions on human fetal tissue research. Under the bill, the NIH may conduct or support research on human fetal tissue only if it was obtained from a stillbirth. Current law allows research on tissue from stillbirths or from spontaneous or induced abortions. The bill also applies informed consent and other requirements applicable to research on the transplantation of human fetal tissue for therapeutic purposes to all research with human fetal tissue. This includes research on stem cells and other human fetal tissue alternatives. Additionally, human fetal tissue used for this research must be obtained in accordance with state anatomical gift laws. These laws govern organ and tissue donation for therapeutic, research, and other purposes. Some states already apply anatomical gift laws to human fetal tissue donation. Currently, executive branch officials may not prohibit the NIH from conducting or supporting research on the transplantation of human fetal tissue for therapeutic purposes. The bill repeals this limitation on executive branch officials. It also repeals a requirement that the NIH fund certain proposals for this research.