Planned Parenthood has been under investigation for selling human fetus tissue, and now Congress’ attention to the situation has thickened.
Under federal law, donated human fetus tissue is allowed to be used for research. But videos showing Planned Parenthood selling human fetus tissue has been red flagged, as the law dictates the sale of it is illegal, according to Reuters.
An anti-abortion group called the Center for Medical Progress last month brought the videos up to the eye of Congress.
Along with Planned Parenthood, three private bio-medical firms were have been targeted by the U.S. congressional panel. The U.S. House of Representative committee created a public letter requesting an interview with personnel from Planned Parenthood who appeared in the videos.
House Energy and Commerce Committee Republicans said they wrote to the three companies identified as human fetal tissue suppliers to request more information from them.
Planned Parenthood provides healthcare services to millions of women at hundreds of centers across the United States.
At this time, they have denied being part of any wrongdoings and noted that abortions only make up to three percent of their outlined work.
Energy and Commerce’s letter to Planned Parenthood stated specific names of the people involved in the video.
“As you know, in several recent videotapes made public, these individuals have made statements concerning the manner in which fetal tissue is procured,” the committee letter said.
“We are examining whether these statements … are consistent with existing laws,” said the letter, signed by the panel’s chairman, Representative Fred Upton, and others.
Planned Parenthood has stated that they will fully cooperate with the committee and supply any information that they request.
The companies involved were: Advanced Bioscience Resources, Inc., StemExpress and Novogenix Laboratories.
At this time, there are some conservative Republicans that have brought up cutting off Planned Parenthood’s federal funds, but no action has been taken yet in that direction.
