H.R.2075 - Protecting Life and Integrity in Research Act of 2025 (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R.2075, the "Protecting Life and Integrity in Research Act of 2025," aims to prohibit federal funding and support for research involving human fetal tissue obtained from induced abortions. The bill allows for research using fetal tissue obtained after miscarriages or stillbirths, and encourages the development of ethical cell lines not derived from induced abortions.
The bill amends the Public Health Service Act to reflect these changes, including redefining key terms like "human fetal tissue," "miscarriage," and "stillbirth." It also repeals Section 113 of the National Institutes of Health Revitalization Act of 1993.
Furthermore, the bill prohibits the solicitation or knowing acquisition of human fetal tissue obtained from induced abortions, with specific amendments to Section 498B of the Public Health Service Act.
Expected Effects
If enacted, H.R.2075 would significantly restrict the scope of federally funded medical research involving human fetal tissue. Research would be limited to tissue obtained after miscarriages or stillbirths, potentially hindering advancements in certain areas of medicine.
This could lead to a shift in research focus towards alternative methods and cell lines. It may also impact the development of vaccines and genetic vectors that currently rely on fetal tissue research.
The bill could also create legal challenges and debates regarding the definition of key terms and the scope of permissible research.
Potential Benefits
- May align with the moral or religious beliefs of individuals who oppose abortion.
- Could encourage the development of alternative research methods and ethical cell lines.
- May increase public trust in federally funded research by addressing ethical concerns related to abortion.
- Could promote research using fetal tissue from miscarriages and stillbirths, potentially leading to new discoveries.
- Aims to protect what some consider the inherent dignity and rights of unborn children.
Most Benefited Areas:
Potential Disadvantages
- May hinder medical advancements in areas that rely on fetal tissue research, such as treatments for diseases like Parkinson's and Alzheimer's.
- Could limit the availability of certain vaccines and therapies developed using fetal tissue.
- May create bureaucratic hurdles and legal challenges in defining and regulating fetal tissue research.
- Could disproportionately affect researchers and institutions that rely on federal funding for fetal tissue research.
- May stifle scientific innovation by restricting the types of research that can be conducted.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill's constitutionality is subject to debate, particularly concerning the extent to which it may infringe upon the freedom of scientific inquiry. While the Constitution does not explicitly address scientific research, the First Amendment's protection of freedom of speech could be invoked to argue against restrictions on research.
However, the government also has the power to regulate the use of federal funds, and this bill could be seen as an exercise of that power. The bill does not directly prohibit private research, but it does restrict the use of federal funds for specific types of research.
The Tenth Amendment reserves powers not delegated to the federal government to the states, but this bill primarily concerns the use of federal funds and does not directly infringe on state powers.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).