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Planned Parenthood hidden-camera fetal tissue discussion infuriates GOP Planned Parenthood hidden-camera fetal tissue discussion infuriates GOP
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Related: Planned Parenthood: claims director offered to sell fetal body parts are ‘false’
Republican presidential contenders have excoriated Planned Parenthood Federation of America while taking the opportunity to reaffirm their pro-life views after the release of a widely shared video that surreptitiously recorded an official from the organization discussing fetal tissue donation.Republican presidential contenders have excoriated Planned Parenthood Federation of America while taking the opportunity to reaffirm their pro-life views after the release of a widely shared video that surreptitiously recorded an official from the organization discussing fetal tissue donation.
In the nearly nine-minute video, which was filmed by a previously unknown group called the Center for Medical Progress, Planned Parenthood’s national senior director of medical services, Deborah Nucatola, nonchalantly discusses the sale of fetal body parts for medical research over lunch with two pro-life activists disguised as employees from a biotech firm.In the nearly nine-minute video, which was filmed by a previously unknown group called the Center for Medical Progress, Planned Parenthood’s national senior director of medical services, Deborah Nucatola, nonchalantly discusses the sale of fetal body parts for medical research over lunch with two pro-life activists disguised as employees from a biotech firm.
During the conversation, Nucatola casually describes the most in-demand fetal parts between bites of salad and sips of wine. A full, unedited version shows Nucatola explaining that costs – $30-$100, for staff time and possible shipping costs – are reimbursed so that Planned Parenthood affiliates don’t lose money.During the conversation, Nucatola casually describes the most in-demand fetal parts between bites of salad and sips of wine. A full, unedited version shows Nucatola explaining that costs – $30-$100, for staff time and possible shipping costs – are reimbursed so that Planned Parenthood affiliates don’t lose money.
The Center has claimed the footage proves Planned Parenthood is breaking federal law by selling fetal remains. Planned Parenthood categorically refutes these claims, noting that fetal tissue donation for medical research is legal.The Center has claimed the footage proves Planned Parenthood is breaking federal law by selling fetal remains. Planned Parenthood categorically refutes these claims, noting that fetal tissue donation for medical research is legal.
In recent years, Planned Parenthood has been the target of pro-life politicians seeking to strip its federal and state funding.In recent years, Planned Parenthood has been the target of pro-life politicians seeking to strip its federal and state funding.
“These outrageous claims are flat-out untrue, but that doesn’t matter to politicians with a longstanding political agenda to ban abortion and defund Planned Parenthood,” Planned Parenthood spokesman, Eric Ferrero, said in a statement on Wednesday. “These outrageous claims are flat-out untrue, but that doesn’t matter to politicians with a longstanding political agenda to ban abortion and defund Planned Parenthood,” Planned Parenthood spokesman Eric Ferrero said in a statement on Wednesday.
“Women and families who make the decision to donate fetal tissue for lifesaving scientific research should be honored, not attacked and demeaned. Our medical practices and guidelines in this area are clear, and we do this important work just like other high-quality healthcare providers – with full, appropriate consent from patients, under the highest ethical and legal standards, and with no financial benefit for the patient or Planned Parenthood.”“Women and families who make the decision to donate fetal tissue for lifesaving scientific research should be honored, not attacked and demeaned. Our medical practices and guidelines in this area are clear, and we do this important work just like other high-quality healthcare providers – with full, appropriate consent from patients, under the highest ethical and legal standards, and with no financial benefit for the patient or Planned Parenthood.”
As conservatives piled on with a swift and uncompromising response to the video, a number of Republican presidential candidates renewed their own efforts to attack – and even defund – Planned Parenthood.As conservatives piled on with a swift and uncompromising response to the video, a number of Republican presidential candidates renewed their own efforts to attack – and even defund – Planned Parenthood.
“This is a shocking and horrific reminder that we must do so much more to foster a culture of life in America,” said Republican presidential contender Jeb Bush on Twitter.“This is a shocking and horrific reminder that we must do so much more to foster a culture of life in America,” said Republican presidential contender Jeb Bush on Twitter.
The “video of a Planned Parenthood official discussing the systematic harvesting and trafficking of human body parts is shocking and gruesome”, Louisiana governor and Republican presidential hopeful Bobby Jindal said in a statement. “This same organization is seeking to open an abortion clinic in New Orleans.”The “video of a Planned Parenthood official discussing the systematic harvesting and trafficking of human body parts is shocking and gruesome”, Louisiana governor and Republican presidential hopeful Bobby Jindal said in a statement. “This same organization is seeking to open an abortion clinic in New Orleans.”
Jindal ordered the state department of health to investigate Planned Parenthood.Jindal ordered the state department of health to investigate Planned Parenthood.
Senator Ted Cruz, who is also seeking the Republican nomination, called on Congress to investigate the organization.Senator Ted Cruz, who is also seeking the Republican nomination, called on Congress to investigate the organization.
“There is no place for taxpayer funding of organizations that profit from taking away innocent life, much less profiting off the bodies of the lives they have stolen,” Cruz said in a statement on Tuesday. “It should renew efforts to fully defund Planned Parenthood to ensure that its morally bankrupt business receives not one penny of taxpayer money.”“There is no place for taxpayer funding of organizations that profit from taking away innocent life, much less profiting off the bodies of the lives they have stolen,” Cruz said in a statement on Tuesday. “It should renew efforts to fully defund Planned Parenthood to ensure that its morally bankrupt business receives not one penny of taxpayer money.”
Rand Paul, a US senator from Kentucky who is also running for the Republican nomination, demanded Congress stop the “selling of babies’ body parts”. On Twitter, he asked supporters to sign a petition to defund Planned Parenthood.Rand Paul, a US senator from Kentucky who is also running for the Republican nomination, demanded Congress stop the “selling of babies’ body parts”. On Twitter, he asked supporters to sign a petition to defund Planned Parenthood.
Scott Walker, the Wisconsin governor and Republican presidential contender, called the video “absolutely horrifying and disgusting” in a statement to Buzzfeed News on Tuesday. As governor, Walker approved a budget that cut federal and state funding to Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin.Scott Walker, the Wisconsin governor and Republican presidential contender, called the video “absolutely horrifying and disgusting” in a statement to Buzzfeed News on Tuesday. As governor, Walker approved a budget that cut federal and state funding to Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin.
On Tuesday, the House postponed a vote on a commemorative coin bill supporting breast cancer awareness because the organization it would have helped fund, the Susan G Komen for the Cure and the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, has contributed to Planned Parenthood.On Tuesday, the House postponed a vote on a commemorative coin bill supporting breast cancer awareness because the organization it would have helped fund, the Susan G Komen for the Cure and the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, has contributed to Planned Parenthood.
On Wednesday, House speaker John Boehner called for congressional hearings into Planned Parenthood’s practices.On Wednesday, House speaker John Boehner called for congressional hearings into Planned Parenthood’s practices.
“Nothing is more precious than life, especially an unborn child,” the Ohio Republican said in a statement on Wednesday. “When anyone diminishes an unborn child, we are all hurt, irreversibly so. When an organization monetizes an unborn child – and with the cavalier attitude portrayed in this horrific video – we must all act.“Nothing is more precious than life, especially an unborn child,” the Ohio Republican said in a statement on Wednesday. “When anyone diminishes an unborn child, we are all hurt, irreversibly so. When an organization monetizes an unborn child – and with the cavalier attitude portrayed in this horrific video – we must all act.
“As a start, I have asked our relevant committees to look into this matter. I am also calling on President Obama and Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Burwell to denounce, and stop, these gruesome practices.”“As a start, I have asked our relevant committees to look into this matter. I am also calling on President Obama and Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Burwell to denounce, and stop, these gruesome practices.”
No candidates seeking the 2016 Democratic nomination responded to a request for comment by the Guardian.No candidates seeking the 2016 Democratic nomination responded to a request for comment by the Guardian.