 |
 |
Hi all, Yes, it was tonight, which I discovered shortly before it started--I managed to tape it in its entirety. I was given conflicting dates and days by different people, then briefly looked at the web page and thought it had aired last night. It aired Weds night, 3/8, NOT 3/7 or 3/9. As Lynn says, the hearing is Thurs, 3/9. Let's welcome Lynn's comments on Saturday on this vital issue. Sat's meeting has a full schedule, but I have deliberately not scheduled a speaker for April, so we can have more individual time. And, on the issue of speakers, I would like our April meeting to address, in part, how often, and what type of speakers are favored by the group. It is everyone's group, and I would appreciate feedback. Thanks for your help and support, while I get the feel for co-facilitating the group with Rich. See you SAt, Charlotte -------- Original Message -------- Subject: Re: ABCNEWS.com : The Fetal Tissue Industry Date: Thu, 9 Mar 2000 00:57:48 EST From: [log in to unmask] To: [log in to unmask], ... The 20/20 'expose' of the 'fetal tissue industry' is in fact airing tonite, Wed. 3/7 at 10pm. The House Commerce subcomittee begins hearings tomorrow (Thurs). As someone involved in this issue I would like to offer a more balanced perspective on this soon-to-be-tainted process at the YPSG meetiing this Saturday at 10:00 at the Palo Alto Y. --Lynn Fielder ------------------------ GOP, Dems Spar Over Fetal Tissue .c The Associated Press By JANELLE CARTER WASHINGTON (AP) - House Democrats on Wednesday abandoned an effort to exclude the public and media from a hearing this week on allegations that a lucrative but illegal market has developed for fetal tissue from abortions. A Democratic aide acknowledged that members of his party, along with some pro-abortion Republicans, wanted Thursday's House Commerce subcommittee hearing held behind closed doors, partly because of concerns that militant abortion foes might retaliate against some of the parties involved. The aide, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the effort was dropped after Republicans provided assurances ``that the testimony will not put researchers and clinics in jeopardy.'' Research using fetal tissue is seen as among the best hopes for finding new treatments for illnesses such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, AIDS and diabetes. But the ethics of using fetal tissue for medical research have long been questioned by abortion foes. Steve Schmidt, the Commerce Committee's Republican spokesman, said ``If the Democrats have now dropped their objections and agreed they will have an open hearing, it is clearly because they know the American people will be outraged.'' ``The American people have a right to know what goes on behind the closed doors of a congressional committee,'' Schmidt said. Democratic-led lawmakers had maintained that a closed hearing was in order because of House rules that allow a majority of members to vote to close a committee if testimony may ``defame, degrade or incriminate.'' But both the National Conference of Catholic Bishops and the National Right to Life Committee issued statements Wednesday accusing abortion rights advocates on the committee of trying to prevent the public from learning about the trade in fetal tissue. ``Abortion advocates must not be permitted to conceal the practices of a large abortion industry from the citizens of the United States,'' said Helen Alvare with the Catholic bishops. Douglas Johnson, legislative director for the National Right to Life Committee, said Democrats were ``trying to throw a cloak over these proceedings.'' Two of the witnesses on the committee list have been subpoenaed by Congress - pathologist Dr. Miles Jones and medical technician Dean Alberty, both of Missouri. Aides said it was unclear Wednesday whether Jones would adhere to the subpoena and appear. The issue of fetal tissue research was scheduled to be highlighted in an episode of ABC's ''20/20'' Wednesday night. Under federal law, it is legal to use fetal tissue for research as long as it is donated, not sold, by the woman. Reasonable charges are allowed for companies that extract and transfer the tissue to researchers. Thursday's hearing by the health and environment subcommittee will investigate concerns by anti-abortion activists that some companies are charging exorbitant prices to make a profit off fetal tissue. Gloria Feldt, national president of Planned Parenthood Federation of America, said ``any wrongdoing, if it exists, needs to be investigated and it needs to be dealt with accordingly. We want to make sure that when fetal tissue is done it is done in accordance with ethical guidelines.'' Congress lifted a ban on federally funded research using fetal tissue in 1993, but made it a felony to purchase or sell the tissue for profit. The House in November passed a measure urging its members to investigate whether private companies are violating federal law by profiting from the sale of fetal parts. Abortion opponents have also expressed concern that some clinics may perform unsafe procedures on women if it means a better chance of salvaging fetal tissue. On the Net: House Commerce Committee. http://www.house.gov/commerce AP-NY-03-08-00 1800EST