{"id":89632,"date":"2016-03-17T10:22:31","date_gmt":"2016-03-17T14:22:31","guid":{"rendered":"\/news\/?p=89632"},"modified":"2016-03-17T10:23:01","modified_gmt":"2016-03-17T14:23:01","slug":"experimenting-baby-brains-worthwhile-endeavor-doctor-testifies","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/archive.liveaction.org\/news\/experimenting-baby-brains-worthwhile-endeavor-doctor-testifies\/","title":{"rendered":"Doctor who experiments on baby brains has relationship with Planned Parenthood"},"content":{"rendered":"
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On March 2, the House Select Investigative Panel on Infant Lives<\/a> held its first hearing on the harvesting and selling of baby body parts. The hearing was focused on the ethics involved in fetal tissue research. One of the witnesses defending this research and the collection of baby body parts was Lawrence S.B. Goldstein, PhD<\/a>, a professor in the Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine.<\/p>\n

Goldstein’s testimony revealed the troubling reality of fetal tissue research.<\/p>\n

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In his opening statement<\/a>, he made clear that fetal cells are the only type of cell he believes will work for his research – despite the fact that fetal cell research has not yet been proven to provide any cures, while adult stem cells have. Goldstein opened<\/a>:<\/p>\n

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My message is simple: fetal tissue and cells that would otherwise be discarded play a vital role in modern cutting-edge medical research. These fetal tissues and cells cannot be replaced by embryonic stem cells, reprogrammed stem cells, or adult stem cells.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Goldstein’s summary comments are striking as well:<\/p>\n

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[R]esearch with fetal tissue and cells that would otherwise be discarded is ethical, valuable, and vital to ongoing biomedical research projects. If we do not continue to use this tissue that is destined for discard, we forego the ability of researchers to continue to make timely and significant progress in mitigating if not eliminating devastating diseases like Alzheimer\u2019s and improving the quality of life of many people in the future.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Simply put, Goldstein says he needs baby brains for his research. In 2012, Goldstein and his colleagues published a study<\/a> in which the researchers explain how they worked on fetal brains, and other fetal parts, to explore Alzheimer’s treatments. He testified about his research<\/a> in the hearings, justifying his work, while saying he abides by the laws about buying and selling fetal parts. But he added, in his answer to Rep. L<\/a>arry Bucshon\u00a0(R-IN),<\/a> \u201cI am uncomfortable with the law of the land.\u201d<\/p>\n

It’s no wonder he doesn’t like the law since it limits his exploration with baby brains, though he deflected questions<\/a> on how this research helps anyone when no cures have actually been found after years of attempting.<\/p>\n

Stunningly, Goldstein defended the “exploration” of baby brains. He said<\/a> that because researchers don’t know the area of the brain that is affected by certain diseases, it is therefore vital to \u201cexplore the landscape.\u201d And while there have been no answers for medicine from this research, Goldstein insisted <\/a>it was worth exploring, saying, \u201cWe\u2019re going to give it a good solid try.\u201d<\/p>\n

Goldstein also supports the work of Planned Parenthood that helps researchers like himself obtain fetal body parts. It’s no wonder since his study openly notes<\/a> that Planned Parenthood is a source for fetal brains.<\/p>\n

\"Screen<\/a> Goldstein’s relationship with Planned Parenthood is personal, as well. He was a donor to the organization, as noted on page 16 <\/a>of this annual report from the abortion provider .<\/p>\n

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The Center for Medical Progress released a statement<\/a> ahead of the hearing saying:<\/p>\n

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The star witness for Planned Parenthood at today\u2019s hearing on the bioethics of fetal body parts harvesting, UC San Diego\u2019s Dr. Lawrence Goldstein, obtains his aborted fetal brains<\/a> from Planned Parenthood of the Pacific Southwest<\/a> in San Diego, CA. Dr. Goldstein is also a long-time<\/a> financial donor<\/a> to the same Planned Parenthood in San Diego. Neither of these critical facts are mentioned anywhere in Dr. Goldstein\u2019s sworn written testimony for the hearing.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Indeed, Goldstein testifying on behalf of fetal research is fitting. The very Planned Parenthood affiliate where he admitted to acquiring baby brains was part of the Center for Medical Progress’ investigation last year, and r<\/a>evealed that baby parts were on sale for $60 a piece. <\/a><\/p>\n