University of New Mexico’s Bioethics Questioned by Congressional Panel

Perhaps universities should begin teaching ethics again, or at least bioethics.

In the course of her investigation into the sale of fetal tissue, illegal under federal law, U. S. Rep. Marsha Blackburn, R-TN, discovered a relationship between the University of New Mexico and a local abortion provider. Rep. Blackburn, who chairs a House Select Investigative Panel, wrote to the attorney general of the state, urging him to investigate further. She cc’d New Mexico Governor Susana Martinez on the letter.

The section of the federal code “which  forbids the transfer of fetal tissue for valuable consideration” also “requires that safeguards be in place, including that too close a relationship might be formed between an abortion clinic and researchers.”

“In the course of its inquiry, the Panel uncovered just such a relationship between the University of New Mexico (“UNM”) and Southwestern Women’s Options (“SWWO”), a clinic located one mile from UNM that provides abortions through all three trimesters of pregnancy. We understand that SWWO is the sole provider of fetal tissue to UNM.”

“Through its investigation, the Panel has discovered that personnel within UNM’s hospital and medical school have aggressively engaged in expanding abortion in New Mexico through the offices, personnel, and resources of UNM.”

Rep. Blackburn, whose panel is investigating the possible sale of fetal tissue, included nearly three hundred pages of documentation with her letter, which included a “criminal referral to the Attorney General of New Mexico.”

Photo by Gage Skidmore

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