The Association of American Medical Colleges and a couple other university-based organizations are deeply concerned about a subpoena from a House panel asking for the identities of researchers, students, trainees, healthcare providers and other staff with any connection or involvement to research that uses human fetal tissue.
"Many scientists and physicians are deeply concerned for their safety and that of their patients, colleagues and students in light of inflammatory statements and reports surrounding fetal tissue donation," the organizations wrote in a letter. "We are troubled that this information is being sought without any rules or process in place to govern how the [Select Investigative Panel on Infant Lives] will use and protect personally identifiable and other sensitive information."
The letter was addressed to Rep. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), chair of the Select Investigative Panel, and Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.), a ranking member. The organizations who authored the letter — which in addition to the AAMC include the Association of American Universities and the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities — urged the panel to craft rules for how it intends to use the personal information and the specific steps it will take to ensure the security of that information.
According to coverage in The Hill, Democrats on the panel, including Rep. Schakowsky, have taken issue with the subpoenas.
"Chair Blackburn has refused to explain why she needs a database of names," Rep. Schakowsky, said in a statement Wednesday, according to The Hill. "It is time for this witch hunt to come to an end."
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