Planned Parenthood in Pa. not involved in sale or donation of fetal tissue, state review finds

Planned Parenthood sites in Pennsylvania do sell or donate fetal tissue for medical research, according to a review by the state’s Department of Health.

Gov. Tom Wolf called for the review following the release of videos showing Planned Parenthood officials talking about using aborted fetal organs for research.

Secretary of Health Karen Murphy wrote to state legislators that, although the practice is legal under state and federal law, no Planned Parenthood locations in the commonwealth donate or sell the tissue.

“Our review has found that Planned Parenthood facilities in Pennsylvania do not participate in this practice,” Murphy wrote. “Moreover, there is no evidence that any Planned Parenthood site in this Commonwealth is involved in the buying or selling of fetal tissue.”

Murphy wrote that Planned Parenthood facilities contract with vendors to properly dispose of fetal tissue.

Republican lawmakers in several states have used the latest video scandal to reignite a move to  defund the nonprofit health care provider.

Planned Parenthood defenders have said fetal tissue donation is a longstanding and legal practice in the states which practice it, including California, Oregon and Washington. Federal law permits fetal tissue to be donated as long as the donor consents prior to an abortion.

Health officials in Delaware have said that the practice are not occurring there. And New Jersey, lawmakers are calling for legislation to close a loophole in state law that activists worry could allow the practice to take place.