Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
House Panel Investigating Fetal Tissue Research Issues Subpoenas
The New York Times: House Panel Issues Subpoenas In Fetal Tissue Research Inquiry
A special House committee empaneled to investigate fetal tissue research issued subpoenas on Wednesday to eight medical organizations as part of an investigation that has led to charges of intimidation. “The Select Investigative Panel is working in a thoughtful and thorough manner to find the facts about what exactly is going on at these abortion businesses and procurement organizations,” said Representative Marsha Blackburn, a Republican from Tennessee who leads the House Select Investigative Panel on Infant Lives. “Unfortunately, some of these organizations have so redacted documents — even after being subpoenaed — that it is impossible for us to get the complete picture of what is actually going on.” (Harris, 3/30)
The Associated Press: House Panel In Fetal Tissue Probe Issues More Subpoenas
The panel headed by Rep. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., said Wednesday that targets of the subpoenas include StemExpress, a company that provides fetal tissue to researchers; Ganogen Inc., a biotechnology firm and the BioMedical Research Institute of America, which helps set standards for the work. The committee said "individuals with relationships to the University of New Mexico," which conducts fetal tissue research, were also subpoenaed. Some subpoenas' targets were hidden in documents the panel provided. "There should be no resistance to letting all the facts come out," Blackburn said in a statement justifying her committee's action. (3/30)
