new acquisition of fetal tissue from elective abortions will not be conducted. For new extramural research grant applications or current research projects in the competitive renewal process (generally every five years) that propose to use fetal tissue from elective abortions and that are recommended for potential funding through NIH’s [National Institutes of Health] two-level external scientific review process, an ethics advisory board will be convened to review the research proposal and recommend whether, in light of the ethical considerations, NIH should fund the research project—pursuant to a law passed by Congress.” No current extramural research projects (research conducted outside NIH, e.g., at universities, that are funded by NIH grants) will be affected during their currently approved project period. Meanwhile, HHS officials also explained, “NIH announced a $20 million funding opportunity for research to develop, demonstrate, and validate experimental models that do not rely on human fetal tissue from elective abortions. HHS is committed to providing additional funding to support the development and validation of alternative models.”
CMDA’S ROLE
In September 2018, CMDA joined other groups in a letter to HHS Secretary Alex Azar protesting the Food and Drug Administration’s contracting to purchase “fresh” aborted fetal organs from Advanced Bioscience Resources (ABR) for the purpose of creating humanized mice with human immune systems. ABR is among the entities referred for criminal investigation by both houses of Congress for potential collusion with abortion facilities as well as possibly profiting from the sale of fetal organs from aborted babies.
WHAT’S NEXT
When a relevant request for research funds arises, the HHS Secretary will convene an ethics advisory board to review the facts and make a funding recommendation. By law, the board will include 14 to 20 individuals, including at least one theologian, one ethicist and one physician. CMDA members who would like the Washington Office to recommend them to serve on any future review panel assembled by the HHS Secretary should send an email to washington@cmda.org with their CV and a note briefly outlining their relevant experience and interest in serving.
WANTED: DANIELS AND ESTHERS
Over the last 25 years, God has opened doors for significant influence by CMDA and our members in Washington, D.C. CMDA members have been serving in high
24 TODAY'S CHRISTIAN DOCTOR Fall 2019
profile federal government positions, testifying before Congress and providing expert counsel to lawmakers and policy makers behind the scenes. Like the biblical Daniel and Esther, they are serving as lights in the often-dark halls of power. Let us remember to pray for these servants—for courage, protection, effectiveness, encouragement and perseverance. Despite recent encouraging federal policy victories, many professional health organizations, politicians and activists continue to pound away relentlessly at the protections on which conscience-driven healthcare professionals depend to practice moral healthcare. The forces arrayed specifically against life-affirming healthcare professionals and generally against believers in the public square are well-funded, influential and determined. We face a battle of good versus evil, life versus death, the kingdom of God versus the kingdom of this world and the domain of darkness. If we are to remain true to our faith and our Lord, we must determine now not to shrink back in fear from this opposition but to engage in the battle. Every Christian healthcare professional and student would do well to pray that God would grant them the conviction of Daniel, who “…made up his mind that he would not defile himself…,” and the courage of Esther, who resolved to speak out to save lives, saying “…if I perish, I perish” (Daniel 1:8, ESV; Esther 4:16, ESV). BIBLIOGRAPHY 1h ttps://www.hhs.gov/about/news/2019/05/02/hhsannounces-final-conscience-rule-protecting-health-careentities-and-individuals.html 2h ttps://www.hhs.gov/about/news/2019/05/02/hhsannounces-final-conscience-rule-protecting-health-careentities-and-individuals.html 3h ttps://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/ SAP_HR-2740.pdf
JONATHAN IMBODY serves as CMDA’s Vice President for Government Relations and also directs Freedom2Care, which focuses on freedom of faith, conscience and speech. His book Faith Steps equips Christians to engage in public policy.