Over the past few weeks, the nation has been buzzing as video after video was released depicting alleged fetal body part sales by Planned Parenthood. The videos have driven up the demand for discussion on the organization’s ethics and abortion laws throughout the country. In Wisconsin, two legislators have jumped into the discussion by releasing a bill to prohibit the sale and experimentation of fetal tissue and body parts.
Rep. Jacque (R-DePere) and Sen. Stroebel( R-Saukville) introduced Assembly Bill 305 with the support of over 50 members of their combined houses. The bill itself would prohibit any person from knowingly and for a valuable amount, acquire, receive, or transfer fetal body parts within Wisconsin. In addition, it would prohibit a person from providing, receiving, or using body parts for experimentation.
Though the bill has received much support from Republican legislators and pro-life groups, there are a few medical organizations concerned with the effects the bills language could have on current research. Currently, scientists use a cell lines that were collected and cloned since the 1960s to conduct experiments for use in the medical field. These lines have produced numerous medical advancements including vaccines, the prevention of infection diseases, and advancements in cancer research.
The bill has received a public hearing in the Assembly Committee on Health, during which a possibility for an amendment exempting previous cell lines was discussed. As of now, there is no amendment and the bill is awaiting its next hearing where the committee will vote on passage.