The Berkshire Eagle (Mass.), July 29:
Planned Parenthood is under renewed attack from its long-time foes following the release of a pair of hidden-camera videos. Putting the furor aside, there is little new here, including the campaign of misinformation against the organization.
The videos purport to show Planned Parenthood officials talking in crude fashion about the collection of fetal tissue and the plotting of its illegal sale. The full video, as opposed to the excerpts released by the Center for Medical Progress, a group associated with the anti-abortion movement, tells a different story, according to The New York Times. Dr. Deborah Nucatola, Planned Parenthood’s senior director of medical services, is seen explaining that the organization does not profit from tissue donation and the modest amount collected from its sale covers the cost of collecting and transporting the tissue. End of manufactured controversy.
The collection of fetal tissue by Planned Parenthood and other organizations, such as university clinics, is legal and of significant scientific value. It is used for research into treating diseases and conditions like HIV, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s.
The showboating Republican politicians demanding once again that Planned Parenthood be defunded are arguing for the gutting of an organization that provides cancer screening and other medical programs for women. The politicians’ opposition to the providing of free contraception only increases the likelihood of the abortions they oppose.
These congressional hypocrites, who consistently oppose funding early education and child nutrition programs, should show a little of the concern they have for the unborn to the recently born in the U.S.
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