Fetal tissue research is done to provide information to society that will eventually lead to the prevention of some diseases and hopefully one day help to discover a cure to some incurable diseases. Right now researchers are doing fetal tissue research to obtain information in areas of fetal tissue transplantation, the development and production of new vaccines, and lastly information on various birth defects and how to prevent or cure them. Fetal tissue research has contributed to the nation's knowledge on various diseases, new vaccines, and a possible treatment to help cure some incurable diseases; however, many ethical and legal concerns arise.

Each area of fetal research is done on three different types of fetuses: the live, nonviable aborted fetus, the fetus in utero, and the dead fetus. The first type of research done is on the live, nonviable, aborted fetus. This type of research is done to study the period of time in which a fetus can be kept alive after an abortion in order to obtain cells or organs for transplant (Levy 44).

A second type of fetus that doctors experiment on is the fetus in utero. This type of research is done by amniocentesis. Amniocentes

4. Even more likely to decrease the chance that people will not donate for money or to help others, there is NO guarantee that the fetal tissue will be used (Bendict 164).

Steven Maynard-Moody feels that fetal tissue is being used more and more simply because doctors and scientists feel that there is such an abundant supply of fetal tissue from the frequency of abortions performed each year. And now that the abortions are taking place in hospitals where the tissue can be recovered and stored properly, doctors are more apt to use fetal tissue for transplants. Maynard-Moody also points out that recipients who are in need of a fetal tissue transplant will not have to wait as long as those who are in need of a heart or liver. Currently doctors are researching on using fetal tissue for diabetic patients, Alzheimers' patients, and Parkinson's patients.

The opposing group holds many strong points that clearly hold true to their belief that fetal tissue transplants do not encourage abortion. Their first point found in The Ethics of Organ Transplants states that the tissue used for fetal tissue transplants comes from the one and a half million abortions performed annually in the United States to end unwanted pregnancies, and as of now there is no need to have family members conceive and abort to produce fetal tissue. Robertson also points out that fetal tissue obtained for transplant purposes holds great hope for all in need (54-61).

---"Are There Really Alternatives to the Use of Fetal Tissue from Elective Abortion in

Ethics. San Diego: Greenhaven, 1994.

Benedict, James. "The Use of Fetal Tissue: A Cautious Approval." The Christian Century

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Approximate Pages = 11 (250 words per page double spaced)