US medical schools protest against subpoenas requesting names of fetal researchers

Three associations representing universities, medical schools, and teaching hospitals in the United States have expressed “significant concern” over subpoenas issued by a congressional panel that requested the identities of scientists, students, and other staff working on research involving human fetal tissue.

The 31 March letter—signed by the presidents of the Association of American Medical Colleges, Association of American Universities, and the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities—said that their member institutions were “very concerned for the safety of their scientists, physicians, staff, students, and patients, particularly in light of the heated debate surrounding the issue of fetal tissue research.”

“Initial requests sent to our member institutions failed to articulate why …